This store has been totally remodeled, updated, and rebranded as Safeway Sidney Meadows. Corporate headquarters in Idaho (perhaps with its corporate owner in Florida who's trying to unload Albertson's/Safeway in a merger deal with Kroger) were given the go ahead. Out of the three Safeway/Albertson's stores in Port Orchard alone, this store is clearly meant to be the crown jewel. It looks like one of the other two stores is intentionally being starved to kill it off. That's my opinion from how it looks to me.
'm impressed. The corporate powers took a middling store with no identity and transformed it into an openly-inviting grocery store that's pretty well-stocked with many items--with some glaring omissions. More on that later.
I've talked to a few employees and they're very happy with the new look and feel of the store. Things just seem easier and it's a better place to work. I can feel that vibe when shopping there.
But the big problem with Albertson's/Safeway remains that all store orders are handled at the corporate level. Store managers have told me they can request certain items be sent to the store, but outside of that, regional management determines what items are shipped to each store. Some of my favorite products are omitted. One example is my beloved Philadelphia Salmon Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Spread. Safeway/Alberton's carries a bunch of flavors EXCEPT for the smoked salmon. Why? I don't know. The Fred Meyer/Kroger store in town has plenty on its shelf. What about Alden's Organic Ice Cream (out of Oregon)? Safeway/Albertson's closed out the entire line. But again, Fred Meyer carries it. So, while SW is my preferred store, I have to shop at FM occasionally to buy the items that my favorite grocery store chain refuses to carry. Why? I don't know--ask them. Maybe it has something to do with cost control prior to closing the merger deal?
Which the federal government may not allow to BE closed. If Kroger buys Albertson's, it will have a monopoly on the four supermarkets in town, leaving only Wal-Mart as the non-Kroger option--and I never shop at Wal-Mart.
But the bottom line is that this Safeway has become a really nice store to shop in. Many of the employees are happy and friendly. There are still empty shelves in some areas which could be corporate-caused or supply-chain issues--who knows? To summarize, for my rating three stars goes to the store itself, the fourth star is for the cashiers and courtesy clerks who've made the checkout process actually fun. read more