Safeway Stores (Ireland)

Safeway Stores (Ireland) was a supermarket chain that operated in Northern Ireland between 1996 and 2005, when it was acquired by ASDA, itself owned by Wal-Mart. Despite its name, it did not operate any interests in the Republic of Ireland.

Safeway entered the Northern Ireland market in 1996, by forming a joint venture between Safeway (UK) and Sir Anthony O'Reilly's Fitzwilton Group, owners of the Wellworths supermarket chain. Larger Wellworths stores became part of this joint venture, with smaller stores being sold to Musgrave and rebranded Wellworths-Supervalu. [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970620/ai_n14100465]

Despite only partial ownership by Safeway UK, stores were operated as any other Safeway outlet in the UK, offering a full range of Safeway own-label products and produce local to Northern Ireland. In 2002, Safeway (UK) took full ownership of the group [http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/safewaya.htm] .

Following Morrisons takeover of Safeway UK in March 2004, Safeway stores in Northern Ireland continued to operate under the Safeway name, while Safeway stores in Great Britain were gradually rebranded as Morrisons stores. Safeway did, though, switch to Morrisons' packaging in Northern Ireland and started to phase out Safeway own brand products in favour of the Morrison label. It was becoming apparent, however, that Morrisons did not see a long-term future in Northern Ireland. Despite this, Morrisons continued with plans to open a supermarket in Bangor, Co Down, the last new Safeway store to open in the UK, and the only one opened after the Morrison's takeover.

Along with a number of other former Safeway UK interests, Morrisons disposed of their interests in Northern Ireland in 2005, after the group had been wholly acquired by ASDA [http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/ng.asp?id=60504-asda-supermarkets-uk] . The stores, including their Bangor store, changed to ASDA over the course of the next year.