Five Manitoba grocery stores will close as part of Sobeys’ continued move to streamline its operations since purchasing Canada Safeway last year.
Four Safeway locations and one IGA store will close. The affected stores include the Safeway on Ness Avenue at Sturgeon Road, the Maples IGA on Jefferson Avenue, the Garden City Safeway on Leila Avenue at McPhillips Street, the Steinbach Safeway, and the Safeway at Shoppers Mall in Brandon.
The Thompson Cash and Carry warehouse distribution centre is slated to close on July 18.
“This is the downside of business mergers and acquisitions. When our members heard of the sale of Safeway to Sobeys last year, many have been wondering when this day would come,” said UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger. “While the news is very unfortunate, I would have to say it wasn’t unexpected. We will do everything we can to keep our members informed and to ensure their rights under the agreement are honoured through the transition.”
Red River Co-op bought up four Safeway stores from Sobeys and converted them under their own brand.
— Staff