Several Arizona grocery stores to close due to struggling retailer

PHOENIX — Several major grocery stores in Arizona will soon be closing their doors, according to grocery chain Haggen Inc.

The small Pacific Northwest company gained nationwide traction when it purchased 146 Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Safeway stores earlier this year. Haggen worked hard to convert the grocery stores to its brand, but ultimately struggled under the immense pressure of growing a company that quickly.

The acquisition grew Haggen from just 18 grocery stores, 16 pharmacies and 2,000 employees in the Pacific Northwest to 164 stores, 106 pharmacies and over 10,000 employees throughout the West. While the acquired stores have struggled, Haggen’s original grocery stores have continued to perform well.

Bill Shaner, CEO of Haggen Pacific Southwest, said the company is working toward stabilizing and in order to achieve that goal, the grocer had to close or sell many of their newly-acquired grocery stores, several of which are in Arizona.

The grocery stores that will be closing in Arizona are:

• Safeway located at 10380 E. Broadway Blvd. in Tucson, Arizona
• Safeway located at 8740 E. Broadway Blvd. in Tucson, Arizona
• Safeway located at  3655 W. Anthem Way in Anthem, Arizona
• Albertson’s located at 1416 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona
• Haggen located at 7450 E. Hwy 69 in Prescott Valley, Arizona

“Haggen’s goal going forward is to ensure a stable, healthy company that will benefit our customers, associates, vendors, creditors, stakeholders as well as the communities we serve,” Shaner said in a recent press release. “By making the tough choice to close and sell some stores, we will be able to invest in stores that have the potential to thrive under the Haggen banner.”

These grocery stores will continue to stay open and operate over the next 60 days while they close. The company also announced additional grocery stores will be sold or closed in the future as a part of Haggen’s right-sizing strategy, according to the press release. It is unclear how many jobs will be affected as a result.

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