Albertsons cited for price violations in California

Albertsons, Safeway’s parent company, has been ordered to pay nearly $4 million to settle a statewide legal complaint for overcharging its customers.

The ruling issued by Marin County Superior Court on September 26 follows a three-year investigation.

Sonoma and Marin counties joined five other counties in the civil complaint.

Inspectors from the county’s various weights and measures departments found that faulty scales and scanners had been used to determine food prices at checkout counters at Safeway and Vons stores across the state.

People v. Albertsons – Complaint filed.pdf

Of the 589 California stores affected, Safeway operates 14 stores in Sonoma County and six stores in Marin County.

The individual stores where price discrepancies were found were not identified in the complaint.

For example, in some cases, inspections found that stores were selling meat at a fixed price, without weighing it and “without net weight declaration, thereby preventing the consumer from making a value comparison,” according to the complaint.

Weights and Measures staff also found that some prices at the checkout indicated a higher price than the shelf price, which is what the consumer usually buys, said Scott Wise, Marin County Weights and Measures director.

Pleasanton-based Safeway, which was purchased in 2015 by Albertsons of Boise, has previously been cited for similar violations. In 2008, she was ordered to pay $1.7 million in a civil judgment. Six years later, she faced further penalties, totaling $2.2 million.

Last year, the North Bay Business Journal reported on an isolated case in Marin County involving Corte Madera and San Anselmo Safeway stores that failed inspection. Dating back to 2022, both stores have been cited for overcharging their customers.

“It seems like we’re still facing 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 to its employees and keep records of those sessions. Employees can only use in-store weighing devices if they receive “proof of compliance” following these training sessions, the court’s final ruling states.

Final judgment signed People v. Albertsons.pdf

Assistant Sonoma County Prosecutor Matthew Cheever said the fines must be paid within 30 days of the sentencing date. The money will go to county weights and measures departments.

Safeway management told the Business Journal on Oct. 10 that it “takes this matter seriously and remains committed to ensuring our customers can shop with confidence.”

A spokesperson added that they had “taken steps to ensure our price accuracy guarantee is more visible to customers” by displaying signs in several locations inside stores. Safeway store employees have already undergone training, she said. Additionally, they installed improved price tracking systems to improve accuracy.

Consumers can report concerns to Sonoma County Weights and Measures by calling 707-565-2371 or emailing [email protected]. In Marin County, they can call 415-473-7888 or email [email protected].

Susan Wood covers agriculture, law, cannabis, manufacturing, transportation, and banking and finance. She can be reached at 530-545-8662 or [email protected]