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County accepts Consumer Protection report; prosecutor-led case secured nearly $3.9M from Safeway for pricing violations
Summary
Marin officials accepted the 2024 Consumer Protection Report from Weights & Measures, which highlighted inspections, complaint increases and a statewide enforcement action that produced a nearly $3.9 million settlement from Albertsons/Safeway over price accuracy and package weight violations.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors accepted the county’s 2024 Consumer Protection Report on Friday and heard that county inspections and a state-backed enforcement action helped secure a financial settlement with national grocery company Albertsons (parent of Safeway).
Weights and Measures Director Joe Devaney and inspector Kayla Friedrichson reported the department’s work in 2024: roughly 9,549 inspections at 411 unique businesses, with 1,117 gas pumps, 345 commercial scales and 1,475 retail price checks among the units inspected. Department staff said the overall rate of overcharges fell from 4.3% in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, while complaints rose 29% to 74 complaints.
A major enforcement highlight staff presented was a statewide investigation, led in part by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, into misapplied digital coupons and inaccurate packaged weights at Albertsons-owned stores. County staff said the statewide enforcement culminated in a settlement in which Albertsons/Safeway agreed to pay about $3.9 million in fines and revise price‑accuracy policies. The department said it will track compliance with required changes going forward.
Supervisors thanked the Weights & Measures team for inspections and for pursuing cases that protect consumers. Members of the public asked whether other grocery chains had also been inspected for coupon and pricing accuracy; Director Devaney said the division inspects stores across the county and that it had taken action in recent years against other chains as well.
Ending — The board accepted the report (no roll call recorded). Weights & Measures staff said they will continue routine inspections, follow up on complaints and monitor Albertsons/Safeway compliance under the settlement.
