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Several Vons and Albertsons stores across the valley were converted into Haggen grocery stores in June.
Thursday, July 16, 2015 | 7:45 p.m.
A grocery chain that recently gained a footing in the valley is now laying off employees across Southern Nevada, Southern California and Arizona, according to a company statement.
Haggen, a Bellingham, Wash.-based chain, declined to provide information on the number of layoffs hitting its Southern Nevada stores, saying only that "specific reductions vary by store" in a statement Thursday.
The company has three Las Vegas locations, three Henderson stores and one location in Boulder City, according to its website.
The seven stores it operates in Southern Nevada are former Vons and Albertsons stores.
The chain underwent a major expansion when it agreed to purchase 146 stores nationwide as Albertsons and Safeway announced plans to merge last year.
Before the purchase, the chain had 18 stores.
A statement from Haggen Pacific Southwest CEO Bill Shaner said the company would "temporarily cut back on staffing" in an effort to operate more efficiently.
"Our focus moving forward is to continue to bring the complete Haggen experience to our stores — offering fresh, locally sourced products alongside everyday big brands — and establishing ourselves in the competitive grocery space," the statement said.
Shaner spoke with the Las Vegas Sun as the company prepared to convert the former Vons and Albertsons locations to Haggen stores, saying he believes Haggen is different than Food 4 Less and Fresh & Easy, which had to shutter stores in the valley.
"No disrespect to Food 4 Less or Fresh & Easy, but we’re not them. We’re certainly aware of the competitive pressures ahead of us, but Haggen is a brand and a business that has stood the test of time, serving guests for more than 80 years."
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