Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	12 Months Ended
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	Dec. 29, 2012
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates At year-end 2012, 2011 and 2010, Safeway’s investment in unconsolidated affiliates includes a 49% ownership interest in Casa Ley, which operated 195 food and general merchandise stores in Western Mexico at year-end 2012. Equity in earnings from Safeway’s unconsolidated affiliates, which is included in other income, was income of $17.5 million in 2012, $13.0 million in 2011 and $15.3 million in 2010.

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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