<p><strong>Pleasanton, CA</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Safeway announced their 2012 third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $108 million compared to $130.3 million of last year, earlier today.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Steve Burd, Chairman and CEO says the 0.2% decline is due to a combination of a lower Canadian exchange rate and the disposition of 17 Genuardi’s stores.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Safeway sold 16 and closed one Genuardi’s store during the third quarter for a $49.0 million after tax profit and cash proceeds of $111 million. The company expects to close the final three Genuard’s stores in the forth quarter.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Though the company has reported a decrease in their third quarter in comparison to last years, Burd states Safeway has plans for the fourth quarter, including the addition of 900 fueling stations at store locations.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We expect identical-store sales in the fourth quarter will be driven by increased just for U engagement, the roll out of our partner fuel loyalty program and the launch of our Wellness initiative," stated Burd.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.safeway.com" target="_new"> Safeway </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
