Document and Entity Information In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014	Oct. 08, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SAFEWAY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000086144
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 06, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		230.5