Lawsuit says Albertsons, Safeway BOGO deals cost shoppers millions

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against Albertsons Companies on Monday, accusing the grocery chain of overcharging shoppers through deceptive "buy one get one free" deals at Safeway, Albertsons, and Haggen stores. The lawsuit alleges that Albertsons raised prices on items before BOGO promotions and lowered them shortly after the deals ended, making customers believe they were getting a second item free when they were actually paying an inflated price for the first item. The state claims Washington shoppers were overcharged in more than 3 million transactions from October 2019 to May 2024, generating as much as $19.7 million for the company. Specific examples cited include price increases for O Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Oroweat Premium Italian Bread, Signature Select Sourdough Hoagie Rolls, and mini watermelons. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 225 stores in Washington and more than 2,200 stores across 35 states. The company disputes the claims, stating they are based on flawed analysis and data errors. Brown is seeking a court order to stop the alleged pricing practices, restitution for consumers, and civil penalties. This is not the first time Albertsons has faced similar claims; the company paid $107 million to settle a 2016 class action lawsuit tied to BOGO promotions in Oregon and settled a proposed federal class action filed in 2023 over BOGO promotions in Washington.

(Source：Wfaa)