Keeping you informed: An update on bargaining

Progress with UFCW 401 is slow

Two weeks ago, we were back at the bargaining table with UFCW 401 ready to advance negotiations. Unfortunately, UFCW 401 has not shown any interest in gaining momentum and negotiations did not progress.

Our focus at the table

We remain committed to securing a strong future for our teams and the company. To do that, we are focused on the future of Safeway and meeting customer preferences by introducing FreshCo to the Alberta market.

How we are investing in Safeway

With the help of our hardworking Safeway teammates, we are working hard to improve Safeway store performance. We are making investments to the Safeway brand, including a newly announced partnership with the Canadian Football League. We are investing in store upgrades and remodels. We are driving great results through our Show and Sell programs, Category Resets and local product offering. There is much more to come on these plans and we look forward to working alongside all of you to win at Safeway.

Why we are bringing FreshCo to Alberta

There are some markets, where our Safeway stores continue to struggle. These locations aren’t struggling because our teams aren’t working hard, they’re struggling because the communities they are operating in are shopping discount grocers, not full-service stores. No matter how hard we work, some of our locations are in the wrong markets. We’re asking your Union to be a part of these conversations and the future of FreshCo in Alberta. Unfortunately, your Union is refusing to participate in these discussions. This stall tactic is holding up our progress at the table. The Company is at the table committed to move forward. Our plans to bring FreshCo to Alberta will continue to progress.

The Union is focused on dividing us when we need to work together

Progress at the table has been slow and we have only discussed less than 20 of 150 proposals. There is much more for us to discuss in negotiations and we hope the Union will come to the table prepared to advance negotiations.

We are very thankful for your hard work and patience through these negotiations and will continue to keep you up-to-date. If you have any questions, please contact your Store Manager and we will work hard to answer them quickly.

Stay up-to-date on Safeway Talks.

Proudly announcing Safeway #myCFLfamily in support of the Canadian Football League

Safeway has a legacy of celebrating Western Canadian CFL teams and this year, we’re taking it to the next level. We couldn’t be more excited to share that Safeway has signed a new partnership to support the Canadian Football League (CFL) in Western Canada. We know that football is more than just the game – it’s the league, the fans, the food, and the way it brings families together to create meaningful moments.

Launching on July 25, 2019, the Safeway #myCFLfamily contest will provide customers with multiple chances each week to win a Family Prize Pack which will include four regular season game tickets, CFL merchandise and Safeway gift cards. To top off the season, Safeway customers will also have the opportunity to win one of two grand prize Family VIP experiences at the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw held in Calgary on November 24, 2019. Safeway shoppers will be entered to win the Family Prize Packs by making a purchase in any Safeway store and swiping their AIR MILES card.

Our Safeway #myCFLfamily store contest is only the first of many exciting initiatives to come from our new partnership with the CFL – we have so much more in store for our customers and our teams as we work to connect with families in Western Canada through food and sports.

We can’t wait to sharing more exciting details as our partnership progresses, but in the meantime, please contact your Store Manager for more information on Safeway #myCFLfamily.

Safeway Supplier Spotlight: Happy Belly Kombucha

As we continue to invest in outstanding local suppliers across Alberta, we couldn’t be more excited to sit down with Victoria Lundgard from the one and only, Happy Belly Kombucha. We spoke to Victoria about Happy Belly Kombucha’s humble beginnings, their commitment to driving the local economy in Alberta, and how Safeway has helped them fulfill their company mission – to create more happy bellies in the world.

Share a little bit about your background and how your company came to be

Myself and Chas Lundgard are the founders, owners, and operators of Happy Belly Kombucha. We are the pioneers of the kombucha industry in Alberta and first to introduce packaged kombucha in cans in Canada! We were inspired after attending a holistic food conference many years ago and began brewing kombucha for ourselves. As holistic health coaches, we shared our home-brewed kombucha with friends, families and clients – they all loved it! The demand for our kombucha grew, and soon after, Happy Belly Kombucha was born! We started humbly, offering personally-delivered local draft kombucha, and have expanded to offer a line of beautifully canned kombucha at grocery retailers across Alberta.

Tell us about Happy Belly Kombucha’s products

Happy Belly Kombucha is rooted in a passion for authentic crafted elixir and an appreciation for deliciously-nourishing beverages. It’s the beautiful marriage of traditional brewing practice combined with modern science. We pride ourselves on crafting the freshest, well-balanced, most flavourful kombucha using high quality (over 95% certified organic) ingredients that are carefully sourced both locally and worldwide. We package our kombucha in bright, beautifully coloured cans, which are eco-friendly, BPA free, school-safe, and convenient for consumers. Happy Belly Kombucha is currently available in 8 superfood-inspired flavours, designed to be enjoyed by both kombucha lovers, and those new kombucha!

In what ways have your local roots impacted your business?

Being a family owned-and-operated company right here in Alberta, we have a deep vested interest in Alberta’s local economy. We want to see a thriving Alberta where grocery stores are filled with diversified, quality local products, and where we, as Albertans, can take great pride walking into our local stores.

As a local company that promotes local, we also work with local farmers to grow and source our ingredients, creating more jobs right here at home.

Why were you interested in working with Safeway?

We love that Safeway puts emphasis on sourcing local products and showcasing local businesses. Partnering with Safeway has helped us fulfill our company mission of creating more happy bellies in the world, one serving at a time! Our hearts are always so happy when we walk into a Safeway store and see the big, bright red “Local” signs!

 What growth has your company seen since partnering with Safeway?

Our company has seen significant growth since partnering with Safeway just one year ago. The Happy Belly Kombucha brand has become well-recognized across the province and our operations have grown significantly. Over the last year, we have added six core team members to our little Happy Belly Kombucha family, plus a fast growing team of Brands Ambassadors in cities across Alberta. We’ve also grown from being a strictly DSD company, to one that’s listed with four well-recognized distributors.

 What’s next for you and Happy Belly Kombucha?

We’re focusing on continuing to grow our business family by adding more core team members, and are on track to make Happy Belly Kombucha available across Canada in the very near future!

We’re so proud to partner with hundreds of local suppliers to not only bring the best products to our stores, but invest in our own local communities. Happy Belly Kombucha is now available in 80 Safeway, Sobeys and IGA stores in Alberta. Be sure to keep an eye out for their brightly coloured cans the next time you’re in store!

Airdrie Safeway store manager raises nearly $15,000 at 15th annual MS Driving Fore a Cure Golf Classic Tournament

On May 15, more than 100 golfers teed off at the 15th annual Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Driving Fore a Cure Golf Classic Tournament. Founded and organized by Dave Reid, Store Manager at Airdrie Safeway, the tournament aims to raise funds and awareness for those living with MS, and more specifically, to provide them with the support needed to remain with their families, in their homes. The event gathers golfers for a fun-filled day on the course complete with food, challenges, prizes, a silent auction and 50/50 draw.

While Dave is a true golfer at heart, the tournament holds a much deeper meaning for him. Dave’s wife, Marg, was diagnosed with MS in 1992. For 10 years, the Reid family joined the MS Society of Canada’s fundraising bike ride, but in 2004, Dave decided to do a little (or a lot!) more. Dave launched the Driving Fore a Cure Golf Classic Tournament as a way to combine his love of golf with his passion to help those in his community affected by MS.

“What started with 38 players in 2004 has grown to more than 100 participants each year,” said Dave. “Through the generosity of our participants, partners and sponsors, we have raised more awareness and funds for MS than we ever thought possible, and turned a local initiative into something that helps people across Alberta.”

This year’s event raised nearly $15,000, and over the past 15 years, Driving Fore a Cure has raised more than $168,000 to fund renovations that help make homes more accessible. Through much-needed equipment, the renovations allow those with MS to be more mobile and independent in their own homes.

“The money raised doesn’t go to research, but rather, directly supports those with MS so they may stay in their family unit and have a chance at a better life,” explains Dave. “From chair lifts in homes, to scooters and wheelchairs, to ramps and stand-sit machines, we want to make their lives easier, which in turn, will enhance their mental state, help them gain confidence and ultimately, enable them to better enjoy their lives.”

While the tournament is full of fun, Dave makes sure to incorporate an educational component to help participants better understand MS. Through an on-course activation, golfers have the chance to wear special glasses to blur their vision, stand on a wobble board to impact their balance, and use horse grooming gloves to limit their grip – all common symptoms and difficulties associated with MS.

“Everyone is always in awe when they experience what it feels like to have MS,” adds Dave. “It’s a fun way to drive the conversation and reinforce why we’re so passionate about helping the people affected by the disease.”

Congratulations, Dave, on another outstanding fundraising tournament! Your commitment to serving your local community shines bright and we couldn’t be more proud!

For more information on the MS Driving Fore a Cure Golf Classic Tournament, visit www.msdrivingforeacure.ca or MS “Driving Fore a Cure” Golf Classic Tournament on Facebook.

A look inside Category Resets at Safeway Northgate

Since the launch of Project Sunrise in May of 2017, we’ve redesigned the structure of our organization and moved to more streamlined, national processes. In doing so, we’re able to work together more consistently, improve our promotional strategies, and evaluate our product assortment in our stores.

As the second phase of the Project’s three-phase rollout, we launched Category Resets in stores across the country. Category Resets reviews almost every SKU across the business and assess its individual performance. This helps us identify opportunities to better serve our customers, ensure our stores are stocked with their favourite national and local products and brands.

We sat down with Beri Kebede, Category Reset Champion at Safeway Northgate in Calgary, to learn a little bit more about how Category Resets are coming to life in our Alberta Safeway stores:

What is your role as a Category Resets Champion?

Overall, my role as a Category Reset Champion is to ensure the rollout of resets is smooth for both employees and customers alike. In doing so, I manage the placement of store signage to ensure that employees know change is coming, and to highlight which products are newly introduced. I also prepare toolkits and schematics to ensure we have all the materials necessary to execute the roll-out, and on the day of the schematic change, I work with my reset crew execute the resets successfully.

How have Category Resets improved the customers’ experience in store?

The new placement and location of products makes much more sense. Products are now aligned in a format that groups brands together, making all products much easier for our customers to find.

 How have customers reacted to Category Resets?

In the beginning, some customers were a little confused as to why they were unable to buy select products that used to be available; however, we are actively working to educate our customers on these changes. Our customers are now excited for our new products that set us apart from competitors.

What are a couple key wins in the Category Resets rollout thus far?

The organization of the new schematic in vitamins is far better than our previous system. By lowering the top shelf heights, we have really improved the aisle image. Product is now block faced, which not only makes everything easier for us to stock, but easier for our customers to find.

What new products are you excited to see on our shelves?

We introduced a new toilet paper schematic that supports larger bulk size packaging which has proven to be a great seller. I’m also looking forward to the introduction of a variety of 4 pack chocolate bars, which I believe will also be positively received.

The full Category Reset rollout is expected to be completed in all stores by the end of 2020. Be sure to connect with your Category Resets Champion to learn more about how Resets will be executed in your store, and for a sneak peek at the new and exciting products hitting our shelves!

Six new FreshCo locations announced in British Columbia

Today, Sobeys Inc. announced six new FreshCo locations in British Columbia.

The following six Safeway locations will close for a four to five-month renovation period and reopen as FreshCo stores in spring 2020. Opening dates will be announced in the coming months.

Closing October 5, 2019

  • Safeway, 100 Mile House (535 South, Cariboo Hwy, 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0)

Closing November 23, 2019

  • Safeway, Williams Lake (451 Oliver St, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1M5)
  • Safeway, Sahali (945 W Columbia St, Kamloops, BC V2C 1L5)
  • Safeway, Dilworth Centre (2339 BC-97 #500, Kelowna, BC V1X 4H9)
  • Safeway, Down Town Vernon (3417 30th Ave, Vernon, BC V1T 2E3)
  • Safeway, Powell River (7040 Barnet St, Powell River, BC V8A 2A1)

To ensure there is no disruption in customer care, pharmacy departments will remain open in temporary locations throughout renovation and construction (excluding 100 Mile House as there is no pharmacy at this location).

We are working with all employees in these locations to provide support throughout the transition.

Stay up-to-date at SafewayTalks.ca.

Kensington Safeway shows what it really means to be “a family nurturing families”

At Safeway, we know that families come in all shapes and sizes. For us, family encompasses our store, our colleagues, our community, and without a doubt, our customers. The employees at Kensington Safeway know first-hand the meaningful connections formed with our customers who become family.

Meredith Helgeson has shopped at Kensington Safeway since her university days in 1975. Meredith stops by the store every Friday morning, and when she isn’t spotted, the Safeway team wonders where she may be. In her 44 years of patronage, Meredith has connected with many Kensington employees who have come and gone, but the store’s long-standing commitment to exceptional customer service keeps her coming back.

In 2015, the Kensington team was saddened to hear of Meredith’s stage 4 cancer diagnoses. The cancer was idiopathic in nature, meaning no known cause. However, after 47 chemo treatments and a major surgery to remove six organs, Meredith’s grace, strength and courage continued to shine.

Since 2016, Meredith has been receiving treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Center in Calgary. After receiving a holiday gift bag in 2018, Meredith was so truly touched that she set out on a mission to pay it forward to other cancer patients. Meredith launched a “Chemo Day Go Bag” project, providing a kit of must-have items to cancer patients receiving treatment.

When contemplating where to source quality products for her bags, Meredith knew just who to reach out to – the team of friendly faces at her Kensington Safeway store. Meredith approached Store Manager, Leslie Robb, to request Safeway’s support in offering a product discount on hand cream, knowing that cancer patients often suffer from dry skin. When given the opportunity to support, Leslie didn’t hesitate to jump on board!

“Community is very important to our team,” said Leslie. “We know many customers by name, and many customers know us by name. We call Kensington Safeway ‘our family’. It’s reflected in how we treat each other and how we treat our customers.”

We’re so proud to celebrate the Kensington Safeway team for their outstanding commitment to serving our customers and fostering your local community. To this day, Meredith makes sure to take time to chat with the many Safeway team members that she has come to know at Kensington, and with your support, her Chemo Day Go Bag project will run throughout the entirety of 2019.

While one good deed may seem small, the meaningful every day acts of the entire Safeway network never go unnoticed, and together, leave a lasting impact on communities near and far.

Keeping you informed as bargaining continues

We returned to the bargaining table this week to resume discussions with UFCW 401. As one Safeway team, we’re dedicated to keeping you up-to-date with accurate information as bargaining continues.

From the very beginning, we’ve been clear about our areas of focus: securing a strong future for Safeway, and introducing FreshCo to the Alberta Market to better meet customer preferences. Strengthening our Safeway stores and introducing FreshCo to Alberta are necessary to make our company stronger and more competitive. We continue to be clear on the Company’s goals and will keep doing what’s right to make sure our employees, our stores and our company are successful.

This week’s labour discussions largely focused on the recent closure announcement of Southland Crossing Safeway. We openly discussed the process for relocating employees and reiterated our ongoing commitment to providing support for those impacted.

Later in June, the Union has agreed to join us for an overview presentation of the FreshCo discount experience to further understand why introducing it to the right markets in Alberta is so important to our business.

As negotiations continue, we’re committed to achieving fair agreements and are hopeful that the union will stay focused and dedicated in upcoming discussions. You can count on the Safeway bargaining committee to be at the table, ready to negotiate an agreement that will secure a strong future for us all.

We’ve seen progress in our Alberta Safeway stores, but there’s still more to do to win back our customers. We know that we can get it done, but not without your shared passion for Safeway and continued teamwork. Thank you for all that you do in our stores.

We will continue to share updates as negotiations progress.

 

Safeway B.C. is beyond excited to celebrate the arrival of the Beyond Burger!

Just in time for barbecue season, the revolutionary plant-based Beyond BurgerTM that everyone’s been buzzing about has officially hit Safeway! With 20g of plant protein, no GMOs and no soy or gluten, it’s the world’s first plant-based burger that looks, cooks and satisfies like beef.

The Beyond BurgerTM is ideal for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians or meatless Monday marauders who want grillable, plant-based alternatives that deliver on flavour.  Whether they’re grilled on the deck, the dock, the campground or the kitchen, the Beyond BurgerTM is sure to satisfy our customers’ cravings!

As a destination for plant-based alternatives, we’re committed to providing Canadian families with the diverse food offerings they love, including great-tasting meat, dairy and gluten alternatives. We continue to focus on expanding our vegan and plant-based offering and are excited to welcome many new and innovative products to our shelves in the near future.

In addition to Safeway, the Beyond BurgerTM is also available in our Sobeys, Foodland & Co-op, IGA, IGA extra, Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix, Rachelle-Béry, Thrifty Foods and FreshCo stores across Canada.

Take a look at a few of the exciting Beyond BurgerTM displays in our B.C. Safeway stores, and keep an eye on our website, flyer, mobile apps, email, social media and billboards as we celebrate May as “Beyond Meat Month!”

Safeway Quesnel – Quesnel, B.C.

Safeway Castlegar – Castlegar, B.C.

Safeway Ocean Park – Surrey, B.C.

Safeway McBride – New Westminster, B.C.

Brooks Safeway Cashier proves the big impact of a small act

Diana Graham is known to lend a helping hand wherever needed in the Brooks Safeway store. Whether its front end support or file maintenance, Diana is committed to helping her store win. And when she saw a customer in need of a little support, Diana didn’t hesitate to offer a small act of kindness.

A customer had finished her shopping and was headed to check out when she entered Diana’s lane. Diana scanned her items, but unfortunately, was unable to process the transaction on the customer’s card. Together, they tried another till – but no such luck, and the card was once again declined. “As her card kept declining, I could tell she was getting more embarrassed and frustrated, to the point of almost tears,” shared Diana. “Nobody should ever have to feel embarrassed, so I just paid for it and asked her to pay it forward to someone else.”

While the total was no more than $10, Diana’s kind act resonated with the customer. The customer took to social media to share her exceptional experience in the store and her gratitude for Diana’s selflessness. “It’s important to treat everyone with respect,” said Diana. “It can leave a meaningful impact on someone’s life. I’m thankful for my job, and every customer is just as important as the next.”

Way to go, Diana, on an exceptional example of kindness, generosity, and putting the customer first! Thank you to all of our outstanding Safeway teams who continue to go above and beyond to serve our customers.