The Chronicle‘s David Kaplan reports that rumors are swirling that Safeway, which purchased the Randalls grocery chain in 1999, is furiously trying to unload the stores following consistently declining performance.
One potential purchaser is none other than former owner Randall Onstead, Jr.
Tom Kirkendall welcomes that bit of news:
Having the Onstead Family reacquire the Randall’s chain would be a welcome relief to Safeway’s mismanagement of the stores.
I couldn’t agree more.
As a personal aside, I used to be a regular shopper at the Randalls on Shepherd in Montrose. It was once such a busy store that parking could get difficult. It hasn’t been difficult for several years now. The place seems more like an abandoned warehouse than the old grocery store. Indeed, I skipped into the place on Monday to pick up some steaks to grill and roses for Valentine’s Day. There was not even a line for roses. I made my selection, paid for it, and was out of there. While that was certainly convenient, I can’t imagine Safeway can keep the place open much longer if the floral department is empty on one of the busiest days of the year.
