FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
Kris Ellenberg
kellenberg@goldpr.com
310-430-1772
Deborah Pleva
deb@weinsteinpr.com
(503) 250-4750
HELLO HAGGEN, GOODBYE HASSLE
Haggen Brings Exciting New One-Stop Grocery Shopping Experience to California;
Conversion of 83 Stores Begins with La Costa Location
Regional grocery chain takes ownership of first acquired store in California
at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning, March 9 reopening on Wednesday, March 11
Irvine, Calif. (March 5, 2015) – West Coast regional grocery chain Haggen (pronounced “hay-gunn”) will
take ownership of its very first store in California, the Albertsons located at 7660 El Camino Real in
Carlsbad, California, at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 9. The new store, refreshed to reflect Haggen’s focus
on fresh, locally sourced products alongside everyday big brands, is scheduled to open its doors to La
Costa shoppers on Wednesday, March 11. The pharmacy will be open during the conversion starting midday
Monday. The store is the first of 83 stores in California it plans to acquire and convert to the Haggen
brand in the first half of 2015.
Once the acquisition is completed, Haggen will expand from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies to 164 stores
with 106 pharmacies; from 2,000 employees to more than 10,000 employees; and from a Pacific
Northwest company with locations in Oregon and Washington to a major regional grocery chain with
locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.
“We’re excited about the changes we’re making to enhance these stores with more locally sourced food
offerings, genuine service and homemade quality, and we’re confident customers will like the new look,
convenience and value offered at our new Haggen one-stop, full-service grocery destinations,” said Bill
Shaner, Haggen CEO Pacific Southwest. “Haggen has built its 81-year-old business on providing excellent
fresh produce and high quality meats and seafood. That focus will definitely be reflected in each of the
100 stores we’re opening in California, Nevada and Arizona, introducing shoppers to Haggen’s unique mix
of healthy, hassle-free offerings.”
Haggen will take ownership and convert the 83 stores across California in March, April and May. The 26
Washington store conversions began in mid-February, and 20 Oregon store conversions will begin in mid-March.
The seven Nevada and 10 Arizona stores will be the last to convert in late spring. Each week,
between one and 12 stores will be converted.
Enhanced Offerings, Same Friendly Faces
At Haggen, shoppers can expect enhanced, fresh offerings, homegrown quality and affordable prices,
along with exceptional service and the friendly faces they already know in the store. As each new store is
transformed into the Haggen brand, employees will be invited to become Haggen employees.
“We’re proud to continue employing all the wonderful associates our customers look for when they shop
and offering shoppers the essential items they need, specialty items they want, and locally relevant items
that reflect the community,” added Shaner.
Haggen’s commitment to being local extends beyond its sourcing and into the communities around its
stores. Haggen plans to partner closely with local farmers and producers to sell their products on Haggen’s
shelves; with community members to give back through non-profit organizations; and small businesses to
explore co-marketing programs.
About Haggen
Founded in 1933 in Bellingham, Washington, Haggen has built its business on providing guests the freshest
and most local products with genuine service, while supporting the communities it serves. The company
currently operates stores in Washington and Oregon, and is in the process of acquiring an additional 146
stores and establishing a second headquarters in Irvine, California. With this acquisition, Haggen will expand
from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies to 164 stores with 106 pharmacies; from 2,000 employees to more than
10,000 employees; and from a Pacific Northwest company with locations in Oregon and Washington to a
major regional grocery chain with locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.
Throughout its eight decades in business, the company has supported regional farms, ranches, fisheries and
other businesses, creating a lasting and sustainable local food economy. The company remains focused on
building local, sustainable food economies as it expands. For more information about what’s happening at
Haggen, visit haggen.com.
