Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]		Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Jan. 02, 2010 (Scenario, Previously Reported [Member])	[1]					$ 6,403.7
Balance (Restatement Adjustment [Member])						26.2
Balance at Jan. 02, 2010			5.9	4,212.4	(5,661.8)	6,429.9		(13.8)	0
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2010			592,600,000		(204,300,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based employee compensation				55.5
Options exercised/cancelled, net				105.8
Purchase of treasury stock					(621.1)
Options exercised			0.1
Net income attributable to Safeway Inc.		589.8				589.8
Cash dividends declared						(173.5)
Translation adjustments, net of tax		90.6						90.6
Pension and post-retirement benefits adjustment to funded status, net of tax								(38.9)
Recognition of pension and post-retirement benefits actuarial loss, net of tax		49.1						49.1
Adoption of accounting guidance on noncontrolling interests, net of tax									2.8
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(0.8)							0.8
Other, net of tax				(10.6)	(0.9)			1.0	0.8
Options exercised (in shares)			6,100,000
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			1,100,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					(27,400,000)
Other, net of tax (in shares)					(100,000)
Balance at Jan. 01, 2011		5,023.9	6.0	4,363.1	(6,283.8)	6,846.2	[1]	88.0	4.4
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 01, 2011			599,800,000		(231,800,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based employee compensation				50.0
Options exercised/cancelled, net				53.7
Purchase of treasury stock					(1,588.2)
Options exercised			0
Net income attributable to Safeway Inc.		516.7				516.7
Cash dividends declared						(187.6)
Translation adjustments, net of tax		8.8						8.8
Pension and post-retirement benefits adjustment to funded status, net of tax								(210.3)
Recognition of pension and post-retirement benefits actuarial loss, net of tax		51.0						51.0
Adoption of accounting guidance on noncontrolling interests, net of tax									0
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(1.5)							1.5
Other, net of tax				(2.9)	(2.4)			1.0	0.1
Options exercised (in shares)			3,200,000
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			1,500,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					(76,100,000)
Other, net of tax (in shares)					0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		3,715.3	6.0	4,463.9	(7,874.4)	7,175.3		(61.5)	6.0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			604,500,000		(307,900,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based employee compensation				55.1
Options exercised/cancelled, net				(11.9)
Purchase of treasury stock					(1,240.3)
Options exercised			0.1
Net income attributable to Safeway Inc.		596.5				596.5
Cash dividends declared						(162.0)
Translation adjustments, net of tax		(3.1)						(3.1)
Pension and post-retirement benefits adjustment to funded status, net of tax								(79.7)
Recognition of pension and post-retirement benefits actuarial loss, net of tax		69.5						69.5
Adoption of accounting guidance on noncontrolling interests, net of tax									0
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		(1.6)							1.6
Other, net of tax				(1.5)	(5.1)			1.0	(2.1)
Options exercised (in shares)			100,000
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			700,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					(57,600,000)
Other, net of tax (in shares)					(300,000)
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012		$ 2,933.4	$ 6.1	$ 4,505.6	$ (9,119.8)	$ 7,609.8		$ (73.8)	$ 5.5
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012			605,300,000		(365,800,000)

[1] 2011 and 2010 have been corrected for the prior period adjustment discussed in Note A under the caption "Corrections to Previously Reported Financial Statements."