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

BREAKING NEWS: Safeway has just announced the impending closure of its supermarket located at 231 West Jackson St. in Hayward, set to take place on February 2, 2026. In a significant move to support its employees, the grocery chain plans to transfer all affected workers to nearby locations, impacting 76 associates.

According to a WARN letter sent to the California Employment Development Department, Safeway aims to ensure that no layoffs occur as a result of this closure. Terra Powers, a vice president of human resources for Safeway’s Northern California division, emphasized in her letter dated November 5 that the company is committed to placing all associates into positions at other nearby stores.

“We intend to place all the associates into a position at another nearby location,” Powers stated in the WARN letter. While the specifics of these placements are still being finalized, Safeway has indicated that associates will continue to work at the Hayward store until it ceases operations.

Safeway is working closely with local unions, including United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 and Baker’s Union Local 125, to facilitate the transitions. The company is also highlighting that all affected workers possess bumping rights, allowing those with seniority to replace less senior staff at other locations—though it remains unclear how this might affect employment at those stores.

As the community braces for this significant change, the focus remains on safeguarding jobs and minimizing disruption for employees. The exact nature of the nearby locations where workers will be transferred has not yet been disclosed, leaving many in anticipation of further details.

This development is particularly critical for the Hayward community, as it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local workers in a rapidly changing retail environment. Safeway’s proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of this closure and maintain workforce stability.

Stay tuned for more updates as Safeway works to finalize plans and communicate with its employees about their futures.