Safeway to Close Hayward Store in 2026, Jobs to Be Saved

BREAKING NEWS: Safeway has announced plans to close its supermarket in Hayward, California, on February 2, 2026, impacting 76 associates at the 231 West Jackson St. location. However, the grocery chain aims to prevent layoffs by transferring all affected employees to nearby stores.

The decision was confirmed in a WARN letter sent to the state Employment Development Department on November 5. Safeway’s Vice President of Human Resources for Northern California, Terra Powers, stated that the company does not anticipate any layoffs due to the closure. “We intend to place all the associates into a position at another nearby location,” Powers wrote, emphasizing the company’s commitment to retaining its workforce.

Affected workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 and Baker’s Union Local 125, will have bumping rights. This means that those with seniority may displace less senior employees at other locations. However, it remains unclear how this process will impact workers at nearby stores.

While the store is set to close in just over two years, current employees will continue to work until operations cease. Safeway has not yet finalized the details regarding the exact placement of the associates or which locations will serve as transfer sites.

This announcement comes at a time when job security is paramount for workers in the retail sector. The company’s proactive approach aims to alleviate concerns about unemployment among its staff during the transition period.

As the closure date approaches, further updates on employee placements and operational changes are expected. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this story.