Haggen supermarket operates first day as an Albertsons business unit

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Albertsons and Haggen on Thursday announced that the 15 core Haggen Northwest Fresh stores began their first day of operation as a standalone business unit in the Albertsons family of banners.

 

"Founded in Bellingham in 1933, Haggen is here to stay in the Northwest," stated John Clougher, who will continue to lead the 15 Haggen stores as group VP and general manager. "Our friendly employees are as passionate as ever about providing our guests the highest quality local products and exceptional service [and] we look forward to serving our loyal guests and inviting our neighbors in to see how we will continue to evolve and invest in these communities."

 

As a decentralized organization, Albertsons invests in its local operations and empowers them to make decisions locally while still leveraging the scale of a large company. This strategy has produced great stores for Albertsons and the banners that have joined its family, including Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Star Market, the United Family of Supermarkets and, most recently, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Randalls and Vons.

 

"We are committed to investing in Haggen's brand and stores, and applying our proven playbook to foster continued growth of its deep roots in the Northwest," commented Bob Miller, Albertsons chairman and CEO. "This is a great opportunity to grow a brand that shares many of our values, including offering exceptional service and the best in fresh, local products."

 

Albertsons also announced in March that it signed an agreement to acquire 14 Haggen stores that will transition back into its Seattle and Portland operating divisions under the Albertsons banner in the coming weeks; these stores were acquired by Haggen from Albertsons in 2015.