Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 08, 2012	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 08, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other revenue	$ 8,622.0	$ 8,525.8	$ 25,824.8	$ 25,863.6
Cost of goods sold	(6,396.7)	(6,294.6)	(19,061.2)	(19,073.9)
Gross profit	2,225.3	2,231.2	6,763.6	6,789.7
Operating and administrative expense	(2,144.0)	(2,114.5)	(6,438.1)	(6,422.4)
Operating profit	81.3	116.7	325.5	367.3
Interest expense	(63.6)	(70.9)	(192.4)	(214.9)
Other income, net	5.3	10.3	28.4	19.5
Income before income taxes	23.0	56.1	161.5	171.9
Income taxes	(4.5)	(17.1)	(30.1)	(55.1)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	18.5	39.0	131.4	116.8
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	47.9	118.0	62.6	236.0
Net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests	66.4	157.0	194.0	352.8
Noncontrolling interests	(0.6)	0	(0.9)	(0.3)
Net income attributable to Safeway Inc.	$ 65.8	$ 157.0	$ 193.1	$ 352.5
Basic earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share: Continuing operations (dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.16	$ 0.54	$ 0.46
Basic earnings per common share: Discontinued operations (dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.50	$ 0.26	$ 0.94
Basic earnings per common share: Total (dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.66	$ 0.80	$ 1.40
Diluted earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per common share: Continuing operations (dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.16	$ 0.54	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per common share: Discontinued operations (dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.50	$ 0.25	$ 0.94
Diluted earnings per common share: Total (dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.66	$ 0.79	$ 1.40
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic (shares)	239.4	237.1	238.5	249.4
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted (shares)	241.6	237.1	240.3	249.6