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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 bG7u8cngmyKfyXRhY6kVcg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-024840.txt : 20031006
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-024840.hdr.sgml : 20031006
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031006170349
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-024840
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031006

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GREENE JAMES H JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205970

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00041
		FILM NUMBER:		03930112

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KKR
		STREET 2:		9 W 57TH ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAFEWAY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000086144
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				943019135
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5918 STONERIDGE MALL RD
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94588
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9254673000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5918 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94588

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SAFEWAY STORES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900226
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000086144</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAFEWAY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SWY</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205970</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENE JAMES H JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2800 SAND HILL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENLO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>19346</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>6.2035</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>302662</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership
><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.2035</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>19346</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F2" /></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1993-11-03</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2003-11-03</value></expirationD
ate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>19346</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The option was fully vested and exercisable on the date of grant.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Stock option granted to reporting person; therefore, price paid for derivative security not applicable.</footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>James H. Greene, Jr.
Reporting Person</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-06</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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