Safeway is an American supermarket chain founded in 1915. It is a subsidiary of Albertsons, and currently has over 2,200 stores across the United States.
Safeway is known for its low prices, wide selection of products, and convenient locations. However, some consumers are concerned that Safeway may be engaging in monopoly practices.
In 2021, Safeway controls about 27% of the grocery market share in the United States. This is a significant increase from the 18% market share that Safeway held in 2015. Some experts believe that Safeway’s aggressive expansion strategy has led to it becoming a monopoly.
Safeway has been accused of predatory pricing, which is when a company deliberately prices its products below cost in order to drive competitors out of business. This practice is illegal under antitrust laws. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated Safeway for predatory pricing, but ultimately did not take action against the company.
Critics say that Safeway’s expansion has been bad for competition and has led to higher prices for consumers. They argue that Safeway should be broken up into smaller companies in order to increase competition and lower prices. However, others believe that Safeway’s expansion has been good for consumers because it has increased selection and convenience.
There is no easy answer to whether or not Safeway is doing monopoly in 2021. However, what is clear is that the company’s aggressive expansion strategy has led to it becoming a major player in the grocery industry. And as Safeway continues to grow, it will be increasingly difficult for other companies to compete with it.
