Six Safeway stores in B.C. are being converted into FreshCo. outlets, including stores in Williams Lake and 100 Mile.
Employees were made aware of the change Tuesday, June 4, just hours before a representative from Sobeys Incorporated issued a news release via email.
The move will see the stores close for a four-to-five-month period for renovations and construction under the new discount banner, stated the news release.
Safeway 100 Mile House is scheduled to close for renovation on October 5, 2019, all other locations (Safeway Williams Lake, Safeway Sahali [Kamloops], Safeway Dilworth Centre [Kelowna], Safeway Down Town Vernon and Safeway Powell River) are planned to close for renovation on November 23, 2019.
To date, five FreshCo locations have opened in Mission, B.C.; Jefferson and Kildonan, Winnipeg; and two locations in Richmond, B.C.
The following six FreshCo locations will open in Spring 2020.
• FreshCo, 100 Mile House, B.C.
• FreshCo, Williams Lake, B.C.
• FreshCo, Sahali (Kamloops), B.C.
• FreshCo, Dilworth Centre (Kelowna), B.C.
• FreshCo, Down Town Vernon, B.C.
• FreshCo, Powell River, B.C.
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The news release does not state what the change will mean in terms of job layoffs.
“We are working with employees and unions to ensure the terms of their collective agreements are met as we work through this transition. As always, we will expend every effort to place employees in other stores within our store network in B.C.,” stated the news release.
The company noted the changes will not impact its pharmacy customers and it will continue to operate temporary pharmacy locations while renovations and construction are underway.
FreshCo. is the discount banner of Sobeys Incorporated and has 92 stores in 50 towns/cities across Ontario.
The FreshCo locations will open with pharmacy departments where its customers can expect the same service from our pharmacy teams. There will be no interruption in patient care or customer files. As the 100 Mile location does not currently have a pharmacy department, no pharmacy will open for this store.
FreshCo said it is committed to providing its customers the freshest foods at great prices, and added customers can expect access to fresh food items and produce, plus a variety of multicultural foods. FreshCo’s low prices and diverse product offering will help customers in our communities make every dollar count.
Opening dates are to be confirmed.
The Tribune has reached out to the company for further comment.
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