Safeway is shutting down additional stores in 2026 as part of a broader downsizing effort by its parent company, Albertsons. The retailer operates slightly more than 900 locations across the United States, with a primary concentration in the western region and a smaller presence in Maryland and Virginia.
This wave of closures follows a similar trend in 2025, when Albertsons shut down at least 30 stores under various banners, including Carrs, Albertsons, and United Supermarkets. The company stated that its network positioning strategy involves opening new locations in areas with strong demand while closing others to reinvest resources.
Most of the recent Safeway closures are attributed to expiring leases rather than a complete withdrawal from specific markets. In Washington, D.C., the Hechinger Mall location closed permanently on May 16, 2026, after nearly four decades of operation. Similarly, a Safeway in Hayward, California, shut down in late February, and the chain’s only Newport store in Oregon closed last month after more than 30 years.
The shift toward streamlining occurred after regulators blocked Albertsons’ proposed $24.6 billion merger with Kroger in 2024. Since then, Albertsons has focused on optimizing its existing footprint rather than expanding. Meanwhile, Kroger has moved forward with other acquisitions, including an agreement to purchase regional chain Giant Eagle.
Because Albertsons owns more than 20 grocery banners across 35 states, it remains unclear which specific chains or stores will be most affected as the footprint review continues. The company noted that it attempts to place as many associates as possible in other stores when locations close.
