I am grateful for this Safeway, because it is close to where I've lived for 8 years. My review is intended to be a positive and opposing view to offer a different perspective than the low rated reviews which fault the store, the manager, and employees for the poor customer experience(s) they had.
FACT: This store has old fixtures, old floor, old freezers and an old exterior. Yes, the store manager has no influence over the store appearance other than cleanliness, keeping shelves stocked and neat, or what stock that is carried.
FACT: This Safeway is located in high crime area, and yes, this store has been targeted by crime many times. This store, like local residents near Durant Avenue, which is the dividing line between Oakland and San Leandro, are an easy target for criminals because they can quickly cross Durant Avenue and be in a different jurisdiction. It is an inherent reality and risk of where we live.
Fact: Sometimes when there are long lines, you will notice an employee refilling stock, but they don't show initiative to help the customers by hustling to open another register. Yes, many Safeway employees are kids on their first job at minimum wage. They are not trained as cashiers handling money.
Other reviews complain that this Safeway doesn't offer what "we" want in our neighborhood, no improvements are being made. Somehow this store should transform into a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods because we are the consumers so if they want our business, these changes should be happening.
Yet aren't the consumers, because neighbors have been colluding to boycott this Safeway as punishment for not being what we want. If you aren't there shopping and supporting the store with your purchases, then you are part of the problem, NOT the solution.
A retail store's budget is determined by a basic math equation. Payroll is a small percentage of sales. Sales plummet, employee hours get cut, not enough staff to take care of business.
In the retail world, stores with the lowest sales don't receive any funds for improvements. This store is just going to get older and look older. Safeway Corporation does not see this location as a potential investment.
The best stores are where the most money is spent. Those stores get new fixtures, remodeled, and featured the best stock.
Decrepit, dingy stores in the low income/high crime areas got nothing, except complaints - from the customers, and from their superiors. It is a thankless job, you lose your best employees to other stores, you are the target of more shoplifters and vandalism than any of the other stores, fewer employees and hours to stock and clean and ring purchases at the cash register, and you never EVER get a "Thank you" for doing your best.
The store manager Kevin, at Safeway at 555 Bancroft Avenue has supported our local National Night Out community event with a smile, every year since I started hosting NNO 6 or 7 years ago.
Our neighborhood has the potential to create a successful location for this Safeway. Look at Zocolo's and Paradiso. They have plenty of staff and excellent offerings. Two of the best businesses, in my opinion, in all of San Leandro.
These are great examples of the standard WE local residents are capable of supporting. There is as much potential for this Safeway location - if we support it, rather than shun it. read more