Category: Feature

Staying Safeway Strong

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Team,

The last few weeks have been incredibly challenging. We experienced panic buying based on fear and the reality of the seriousness of the situation, but we stuck together and we’re now finding many new routines. As these uncertain times continue, I wanted to take a moment to send my sincere appreciation for your tremendous hard work and dedication to serving our Alberta Division communities. I have never been more proud of our frontline heroes. Your dedication, hard work and compassion are incredible. Thank you!

As we continue to operate as an essential service for Canadian families, the health and safety of our teammates and customers remains our top priority. Over the last few weeks, we have made a series of changes to help keep you safe;

  • Created a process for teammates to wash their hands every fifteen minutes.
  • Added extra resources to wipe down common areas more often.
  • Installed plexiglass cashier shields and backboards to protect our teammates and customers.
  • Added floor markers at check out to help facilitate a two-meter distance as customers line up.
  • Asking customers who bring reusable bags to pack their own groceries.
  • Limited the number of customers in the store to promote physical distancing along with front vestibule monitoring and cart sanitation.
  • Restricted the sale and redemption of Lotto, vending machines, Western Union and Rug Doctor.
  • Increased the tap limit on credit card purchases to decrease contact and high-touch surfaces.
  • Closed full service departments and cancelled all product demos and sampling events
  • Providing gloves, masks and face shields as PPE for those employees who want them.

We’ve also implemented “one-way aisles” to ensure customers do not pass too closely together when going in opposite directions, and we’re encouraging customers to designate one individual per family do to the shopping for their home. These are a few of the many measures in place to help keep all of us safe and healthy.

As well, we are in constant communication with Health Canada and Alberta Health Services (AHS) to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to support our teammates that are impacted by COVID-19. Out of respect and their confidentiality, we will not release any personal information about our people, but will be transparent with where we have been notified of COVID-19 cases in our stores. We will continue to work with AHS in each COVID scenario.

I know it hasn’t been easy, but I am so grateful for your leadership and support during these difficult times. You continue to prove that our Safeway pride is strong in Alberta, and we will continue to stand side-by-side as we navigate through this together.

 

Scott Chollak

VP, Alberta Operations

Looking ahead, together.

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

It goes without saying that these are truly unprecedented times. We have seen more customers come through our doors in a shorter period of time than ever before. But one thing that has stayed the same is our incredible team. You continue to come to work with a positive attitude, a commitment to serving our customers, and a love for what you do. Thank you for joining us as we stand side-by-side as an essential service that our communities can count on.

In a few days, we’ll be back at the table with the bargaining committee and UFCW 401. We’re looking forward to continuing these conversations and working together on a new collective agreement that will govern how we operate over the next few years. To support these conversations, we’ll have the assistance of a government-appointed mediator who we hope will help to bring attention to the things important to all of us.

While we can’t lose sight of the extraordinary work we’re doing during this pandemic, we also need to ensure Safeway is positioned for success once the impacts of COVID-19 have subsided. Two of the key points we hope to reiterate include:

  • Safeway stores in Alberta need to be refreshed and modernized. We are long-term, trusted supporters of so many Alberta communities and we will continue to provide Albertans with a high-quality, full-service grocery option with our Safeway stores. Our Safeway stores need to be bright and inviting to compete in the market. We have plans to invest $200 million to refresh our Safeway stores. However, we need the right collective agreement in place to do so.
  • Albertans continue to change the way they shop, and many customers are on the hunt for a reliable discount grocery option. As the economy continues to shift, Alberta families are managing their budgets differently. It’s important that we respond to this customer need for a functional, competitive discount grocery store. To support company growth, while providing Albertans with secure and stable jobs, we need to deliver the kind of stores that our customers want. To do so, we will open new FreshCo stores where our customers have made it clear that there is a need.

We’re looking forward to continuing positive, cooperative conversations with UFCW 401 as we take the steps necessary to begin executing our plan to win, together. We will continue to keep you up to date on progress. Thank you, again, for all that you do in our stores.

From our friends at TSN, thank you.

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

To all of our frontline workers, our friends at TSN would like to say thank you.

Every day, you continue to rise to the occasion for those in need—supporting Canadians coast to coast. Even in some of the most challenging of circumstances, the country can still depend on you. Your hard work, selflessness and commitment to your communities have inspired us all.

Each and every one of you is a hero, and TSN (and all of Canada) is truly grateful.

Thank you.

Thank you! A letter from Michael Medline

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

To our Store Heroes,

Over these last few weeks, we have witnessed all of you pull together in this time of crisis with dedication, compassion
and resilience. You have lived our values. You have stepped up to the challenge. We realize it has not been easy.
We have asked all of you to go above and beyond for Canadians every day in these extraordinary circumstances.
You continue to rise to the challenge without fail.

You’re on the front line, delivering essential services to families across Canada. And while you’ve been working
hard to provide the important products and services Canadians need, you’ve also implemented a wide range of
new policies and procedures to keep our stores safe. Your incredible composure and bravery in the face of change
is admirable.

There are new cleaning physical distancing and sanitization procedures, new customer protocols, and a number of
new rules as we constantly adapt our in-store services and product offerings to be there for the families we serve.
With every change, you’re willing to adapt and keep going. As teammates, you are truly embracing your role in this
global crisis as an essential service that plays a critical role in communities across Canada.

Just the other day, two of our retail teammates decided to come to work dressed up as a banana and a penguin,
to keep customers smiling, while they were cleaning grocery carts. Some of our banners have started selling Girl
Guide Cookies to help them out. Our store teams have started creating displays with positive messaging for our
customers, “Be strong, storms don’t last forever” – we couldn’t agree more. We know there are hundreds of examples
like this.

You continue to amaze us every single day with how well you adjust and adapt to the rapid changes in our business
and the world around us. You are the face of the company, always smiling and providing our customers with
confidence and support. You’re a loyal, hardworking team. We could not be more proud of each one of you.

Stay safe and thank you!

Michael Medline
President & CEO

To our Valued Safeway Customers

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

The following letter is being distributed to all customers.

To our Valued Safeway Customer,

Since the terrible escalation of Coronavirus, we have been blown away by the dedication and thoughtfulness of our hardworking teammates. We’d like to salute our team of 123,000 people across our great country who are working so hard every day to support Canadians throughout this difficult time.

Yesterday I was reminded yet again that we have such a great team. One of our teammates, Taeler, put a poster together for her store team filled with wonderful comments from customers and co-workers to lift their spirits and cheer them on. At the centre of the poster she wrote, “Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough Teams Do.” That really says it all.

We’ve asked so much of our front-line grocery and pharmacy heroes in recent days.

With everything that’s going on, they’re showing up every day determined to serve Canadians. They understand how vital it is in this extraordinary time to get us the food we need, safely and securely. In moments of crisis, they understand that grocery stores are an essential service with a critical role to play in communities across Canada. They’re working around the clock to make that happen. To that end, we’ve received incredible feedback from people applauding our team’s great morale and extraordinary service. I have personally witnessed how much it means to our people when people thank them for serving customers in these tough times.

We have excellent standards in place to keep our stores clean and sanitized and our customers and teammates healthy. We are looking at every opportunity to improve on these standards.

The safety and health of all of you is imperative to us.

Thank you to our customers for your patience with us in moments when our shelves are not fully stocked. It’s a busy, unpredictable time, and our team members are doing everything within their power. Thank you to all of our governments for their collaboration in helping us and our grocery customers.

We have trust in Canada’s strong and secure food supply chain. If you see an empty shelf, know that it will be full again shortly. Our warehouse and distribution teams are working the hardest in our history to get you the goods you need.

It’s more apparent than ever right now that the journey to get food onto Canadians’ tables is a team effort.

Sincerely,

Michael Medline

President & CEO

Thank You For Your Tremendous Efforts

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Teammates,

I continue to be overwhelmed by the many stories I am hearing about how you are supporting our stores and our customers. Customers are applauding you for the service they are receiving and the morale of our teams. I’m hearing about store associates taking the time to help seniors bring their groceries to their car, even though their stores are packed. I’m hearing about customers praising great store conditions, even considering the line-ups and flurry of activity to meet unprecedented demand.

These last few weeks have been a truly herculean effort. With many Canadians staying home to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, we know their reliance on grocery stores will continue to be strong. In moments of crisis, grocery stores are truly an essential service and we have such an incredibly important role to play within our communities.

You all are the true heroes right now in our stores and distribution centres. You are doing a tremendous job welcoming our customers with warm smiles to keep everyone calm. Our warehouse and distribution teams are tirelessly working around the clock to keep our stores full of the product they need to feed millions of families across Canada. Our back-office teams are completely dedicated to supporting our stores. This is truly an all hands on deck effort.

We are all so immensely proud of what you are accomplishing by serving Canadians during these very uncertain times. Thank you for everything you are doing today and for all of your efforts in the coming weeks and months.

Sincerely,

Michael Medline

President & CEO, Empire Company

We’re proud of our team

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Teammates,

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we are seeing unprecedented activity in our stores. Grocery stores are truly an “essential service” and it’s clear that families are preparing to stay safe during times of self quarantine.
We know how busy you are in our stores serving our customers and communities and want to thank you for everything you are doing. We are so proud of our team on the front lines, serving Canadians.

We activated our pandemic preparedness plan several weeks ago and continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation. We’re following guidance from federal and provincial agencies, and other health organizations.

Your Retail Support Teams will continue to provide you with updates and changes in policy as the situation evolves. We want to stress that we are not treating this as “business as usual”. All of our retail support teams are all hands-on deck, focused on you during this rapidly changing time.

Here are the steps we’re taking to protect our teammates and our customers:

  • We’re asking all employees who are sick to stay home. Please always check-in with your manager before returning to work. Your health and safety is our top priority.
  • Our HR team is helping employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 or have travelled to a high-risk country with understanding quarantine protocols.
  • We’re asking our store teams to continue their strong in-store cleaning protocols to “clean as you go” and ensure high-touch surfaces are cleaned regularly.
  • Our Distribution and Replenishment teams are working hard to ensure stores get the product needed to serve customers. We’re working with our Supplier Partners to ensure inventory continues to be available.
  • Like many other retailers, we have suspended all in-store sampling and demo programs until further notice.

Let’s all remember the simple things we can do to keep our workplace healthy like regularly washing our hands, and not coming to work if you are sick. We will continue to work with government and the public health authorities to monitor the situation as it evolves and provide you with regular updates.

We are dealing with a truly unique situation in our stores right now. Your patient, welcoming and calm smiles can go a along way for our customers. After hospitals and pharmacies, grocery stores are the most important service in our communities.

You are a part of a team of 123,000 people across the country who are working hard to support Canadians during this COVID-19 pandemic. We’re incredibly lucky to have you on our team. Thank you for everything you are doing now and for all of your efforts in the coming weeks.

We’re proud to be on your team.

Thank you,

Michael Medline – President & CEO, Empire Co.

Pierre St-Laurent – EVP, Full-Service Empire Co. Sobeys Inc.

Celebrating our Results-Oriented Value Champion

Posted on by Ed Borkowski

The Value Champion program recognizes employees who live the Company’s values every day in our stores, retail support centres and offices across the country. Our values guide our decisions and daily interactions with customers, colleagues and partners. They are us at our best and are at the very core of our business.

We couldn’t be any more proud to celebrate our 2019 regional “Results-Oriented” Value Champion that gets it done with passion and integrity, Joe Sirianni – District Operator in Calgary, Alberta.

Energy and enthusiasm radiate from Joe, a 30-year Sobeys employee whose career is rooted in years of experience in our stores. As our Results-Oriented Value Champ, Joe is always focused on driving great results in a fair way. He consistently brings a winning attitude, delivers on our shared commitments, finds new and innovative solutions, and is always fair and ethical in his decisions.

It was in Joe’s store role as Manager that he befriended a talkative older gentleman who shopped every day. “I knew him for about two years and we talked about everything,” said Joe, adding that the man often shared their conversations with his family.

When the man’s daughter informed Joe and his Assistant Manager that her father had passed away, they took the news hard and later attended his funeral, to the family’s surprise. “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he said. As a manager, Joe understands the importance of a can-do attitude. “I’m loud, enthusiastic and passionate – that’s what I’m about, and it rubs off,” he said.

“Teams who connect and build relationships are the key ingredients for creating a welcoming environment in stores,” Joe said. “Customers see that and feel it, and they start referring to it as ‘my store’.”

Congratulations, Joe, on an award so well-deserved. Thank you for all that you do in our stores each and every day.

Stay Heart Healthy this February

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

Did you know that February is Heart Month in Canada? This awareness month brings attention to the importance of heart health and the things we can to do to help reduce our risk of heart disease – like visiting one of our friendly local pharmacies to check your blood pressure.

Our Pharmacy team really takes this month “to heart” for many important reasons:

  • 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart conditions, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment
  • 45% more women die of stroke than men in Canada; and because women live longer than men (on average), more women live with the effects of stroke
  • Over the past decade, there has been a 25% increase in heart failures in Canada
  • Heart disease and stroke take a life every 7 minutes in this country
    • Statistics from The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Know your numbers!

The good news is that 80% of heart conditions are preventable. This is why we’re encouraging our customers and employees to regularly check their blood pressure at one of our Safeway pharmacy locations. Our in-store blood pressure machines make it convenient to check your blood pressure while in-store to ensure you’re within an optimal range. Plus, we offer our customers and teammates Blood Pressure Check Cards so you can record readings and review them with a health care professional, including our own team of pharmacists.

We make it easy for you to get your blood pressure in check. Help us spread the word – because whether your numbers are high or low, it’s important to know!

Committed to our customers: ScripTalk audible prescription reader now at Safeway

Posted on by Sudhanshu Rewari

As we continue building an inclusive environment in our stores, we’re incredibly excited to share that ScripTalk will now be available in Safeway pharmacies across Canada.

“Scrip Talk is a breakthrough in the way we provide care to patients who struggle with low vision or anything that gets in the way of reading their prescription labels. It makes us better prepared to prevent medication errors which are unfortunately more common amongst patients who are visually impaired or have difficulty reading. We have visited numerous optometrists’ offices in and around our Safeway location to let them know we offer this service and the response from them all is overwhelmingly positive. I am looking forward to incorporating ScripTalk into our daily pharmacy practice.” Said Sheneez Virani, Staff Pharmacist, Safeway Pharmacy 8904, 111th Street & 51st Avenue, Edmonton AB. 

ScripTalk audible prescription labels enable blind, low vision or print-impaired pharmacy patients to hear important prescription label information free of charge. With ScripTalk, pharmacists code prescription labels with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification technology). Patients can then use a small, hand-held, base prescription reader called the ScripTalk Station Reader, available free of charge, to hear important prescription information and instructions read aloud.  Patients can also access talking prescription labels by using En-Vision America’s mobile app.

“We’re proud to offer ScripTalk at all of our pharmacies across the country. ScripTalk is an easy-to-use yet innovative technology that is breaking barriers for those who are blind, have experienced vision loss, or are otherwise not able to read vital prescription information,” said Jim Johnston, Vice President of Operations In-Store Pharmacy, Sobeys Inc. “With this technology, we’re empowering our patients to independently manage their medications safely at our pharmacies, in their homes, or wherever they may be.”

Speak to your local Safeway Pharmacy team for more information on how ScripTalk is another example of how we differentiate ourselves from all the other choices customers have and can help us better serve our customers every day.