Albertsons, the parent company of Safeway, was ordered to pay nearly $4 million to settle a statewide legal complaint for overcharging customers.
The judgment made in Marin County Superior Court Sept. 26 came about following a three-year investigation.
Sonoma and Marin counties joined five other counties in the civil complaint.
Inspectors with the various county weights and measures departments found faulty scales and scanners had been used to determine food prices at checkout at Safeway and Vons stores in the state.
People v. Albertsons – Filed Complaint.pdf
Out of the 589 total California stores affected, Safeway operates 14 stores in Sonoma County and six stores in Marin county.
Individual stores where price discrepancies were found were not identified in the complaint.
For example, in some instances, inspections discovered the stores sold meat at a fixed price, without weighing it, and “without a net weight statement thereby preventing the consumer from making a value comparison,” according to the complaint.
Weights and Measures staff also discovered certain checkout prices indicated a higher price than the shelf price, which is what a consumer usually shops for, said Marin County Weights and Measures Manager Scott Wise said.
Pleasanton-based Safeway, which was bought in 2015 by Albertsons of Boise, has been cited previously for similar violations. In 2008, it was ordered to pay $1.7 million in a civil judgment. Six years later, it faced more penalties adding up to $2.2 million.
Last year, the North Bay Business Journal reported on an isolated circumstance in Marin County involving the Corte Madera and San Anselmo Safeway stores failing to pass inspection. Dating back to 2022, the two stores were cited for overcharging customers.
“It seems like we’re still seeing the same issues,” Wise said. “We tell people to check your receipts.”
A court order was issued requiring Safeway stores to implement a “price accuracy policy,” according to the complaint.
The grocery chain was also ordered to provide adequate training for employees and maintain records of those sessions. Employees may only operate in-store weighing devices, if they receive “proof of compliance,” as a result of those training sessions, the final court judgment reads.
People v Albertsons Signed Final Judgment.pdf
Sonoma County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Cheever said the penalties have to be paid within 30 days of the judgment date. The money will go to the counties’ Weights and Measures departments.
Safeway management told the Business Journal Oct. 10 that “it takes this matter seriously and remains committed to ensuring that our customers can shop with confidence.”
A spokesperson added they have “taken steps to ensure our price accuracy guarantee is more visible to customers” by posting signs at multiple locations inside the stores. Safeway store employees have already undergone training, she said. Plus, they have installed enhanced price-tracking systems to improve accuracy.
Consumers can report concerns to Sonoma County Weights and Measures by calling 707-565-2371 or via email at SonomaAG@sonoma-county.org. In Marin County, they can call 415-473-7888 or email marin.dept.ag@marincounty.gov.
Susan Wood covers agriculture, law, cannabis, production, transportation as well as banking and finance. She can be reached at 530-545-8662 or susan.wood@busjrnl.com
