Safeway to Close Hayward Store in 2026, Job Transfers Planned

URGENT UPDATE: Safeway has just announced plans to close its supermarket located at 231 West Jackson St. in Hayward, California, on February 2, 2026. This closure will affect approximately 76 associates currently employed at the store, as confirmed in a WARN letter sent to the state’s Employment Development Department.

In a statement, Terra Powers, Safeway’s vice president of human resources for Northern California, emphasized that the grocery chain is committed to ensuring no layoffs occur as a result of this closure. Powers stated, “We do not foresee any layoffs as a result of the closure,” and reassured affected employees that they will be offered transfers to other nearby locations.

The initiative aims to protect jobs; all affected workers are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 and Baker’s Union Local 125. Importantly, these workers possess bumping rights, which allow senior employees to displace less senior workers at other stores. However, it remains unclear how this may impact job security for employees at these other locations.

“We intend to place all the associates into a position at another nearby location,” Powers noted in the WARN letter. The exact placement process is still under development, leaving uncertainty about whether all workers will be transferred to a single site or multiple locations.

As operations at the Hayward store continue, associates will remain employed there until the closure date, allowing them time to transition. Safeway’s proactive stance highlights its dedication to workforce stability amid the impending changes.

This decision marks a significant shift for the community, with potential implications for both employees and local customers. As details continue to unfold, residents and workers alike are keeping a close eye on how the transition will affect their shopping options and employment status.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Safeway works to finalize transfer arrangements for its dedicated staff.