Screen Shot 2014-12-20 at 10.08.04 AMThe two Albertsons grocery stores in Burien will be acquired by Bellingham-based Haggen, as part of a 146-store deal brought about by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) review of the Albertson’s LLC and Safeway merger.
The two local stores are located at:

  • SW 128th: 12725 First Ave South
  • Five Corners: 15840 1st Avenue South

“All Albertson’s LLC and Safeway store employees will have the opportunity to become employees of Haggen as their individual stores are transitioned to the Haggen banner,” reads an announcement. “Haggen plans to retain the current store management teams.”
This new merger, along with the sales of Safeway and Albertsons stores, is expected to close in January.
Representatives said that no changes will be apparent at stores until that time.
Founded in 1933, Haggen operates 18 stores throughout the country now.
Here’s more from a press release:

With this acquisition, which remains subject to FTC approval, Haggen will expand from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies to 164 stores with 106 pharmacies; from 2,000 employees to more than 10,000 employees; and from a Pacific Northwest company with locations in Oregon and Washington to a major regional grocery chain with locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.
“With this pivotal acquisition, we will have the opportunity to introduce many more customers to the Haggen experience. Our Pacific Northwest grocery store chain has been committed to local sourcing, investing in the communities we serve, and providing genuine service and homemade quality since it was founded in 1933,” said John Caple, chairman of the Haggen board of directors and partner at Comvest Partners, a private investment firm that owns the majority of shares of Haggen. “We will continue our focus on sourcing and investing locally even with this exciting expansion.”
The company will be led by CEOs John Clougher and Bill Shaner. Clougher, CEO, Pacific Northwest, will have primary responsibility for the northern division of Washington and Oregon. Shaner, CEO, Pacific Southwest, will have primary responsibility for the southern division of California, Nevada and Arizona. The two will work together to steward the company’s commitment to its employees, customers, business partners and stakeholders.
After the close of the transaction in early 2015, Haggen will convert all of the acquired Albertsons and Safeway stores to the Haggen banner in phases during the first half of 2015. All Albertson’s LLC and Safeway store employees will have the opportunity to become employees of Haggen as their individual stores are transitioned to the Haggen banner. Haggen plans to retain the current store management teams.
“We warmly welcome these new employees and stores into the Haggen family. The stores are well run and very successful, thanks to the dedicated store teams,” said John Clougher, Haggen CEO, Pacific Northwest. “We want to retain these existing teams while allowing our growing company to build on their past successes. We plan to adopt the best practices of our new stores to offer a superior shopping experience for our valued customers in all of our stores.”
“We committed to this acquisition because we knew we had the experience, talent and drive to get it done,” added Caple. “The strength of our management and store support teams, combined with the talent of the store teams at each of the new store locations, will enable Haggen to be a successful West Coast grocer.”
Sagent Advisors, LLC and Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, LP acted as financial advisors to Haggen on the transaction. Akerman Senterfitt LLP acted as legal advisor.
About Haggen
Founded in 1933, Haggen, Inc. is one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading grocery chains. The Bellingham, Washington-based company operates stores in Washington and Oregon under the Haggen Northwest Fresh banner. It is the state’s sixth-largest private company with the majority of shares owned by Comvest Partners. Haggen is dedicated to providing its guests with the best of the Northwest. For more than 80 years, it has supported regional farms, ranches, fisheries and other businesses, creating a lasting and sustainable local food economy. Haggen is also deeply rooted in the communities it serves, providing support to local events and partnerships. For more information about what’s happening at Haggen, visit haggen.com.

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8 replies on “B-TOWN BIZ: Two Burien Albertsons grocery stores acquired by Haggen”

  1. The Albertsons on 128th has been very generous to the White Center Food Bank. I hope the new owners will continue the same policies .

  2. So instead of two Albertsons and a Safeway there will be three Haggens? I expect at least one will be closed. Whichever one is the most underperforming when comparing the three.

      1. The two Albertsons grocery stores in Burien will be acquired by Bellingham-based Haggen
        The two local stores are located at:
        SW 128th: 12725 First Ave South
        Five Corners: 15840 1st Avenue South
        It’s just the Albertson’s I think you got confuse by the fact Safeway and Albertson’s are own by the same company.Even though it stated in top of the post twice its the TWO stores and not three . Even if it did change there’s enough space between the location’s that performance of the store’s are fine and have seem to have a pretty full parking lot at any of the locations when I have been there.

  3. Yay! I shopped at Haggen while I went to WWU. Much better quality than Albertsons, and Pacific NW owned.

  4. Oh Boy! Another merger to decrease competition and increase efficiency (profits). That’s what makes air travel such a joy.

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