SAFEWAY INC
S-3/A, 1998-07-10
GROCERY STORES
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 10, 1998
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-58597
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                        PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                                  SAFEWAY INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
                    DELAWARE                                        94-3019135
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
         INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                           5918 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD
                          PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA 94588
                                 (925) 467-3000
   (ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                MICHAEL C. ROSS
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                  SAFEWAY INC.
                           5918 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD
                          PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA 94588
                                 (925) 467-3000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
               TRACY K. EDMONSON                                 PAUL C. PRINGLE
                   TAITT SATO                                    BROWN & WOOD LLP
                LATHAM & WATKINS                              555 CALIFORNIA STREET
       505 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 1900                     SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
      SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111-2562                        (415) 772-1200
                 (415) 391-0600
</TABLE>
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ]
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
     This Registration Statement contains two separate prospectuses, one to be
used in connection with an offering of Common Stock in the United States and
Canada (the "U.S. Prospectus") and one to be used in a concurrent offering of
Common Stock outside the United States and Canada (the "International
Prospectus"). The U.S. Prospectus and the International Prospectus will be
identical in all respects except for the front cover page.
 
     The form of the U.S. Prospectus is included herein and the form of the
front cover page of the International Prospectus follows the back cover page of
the U.S. Prospectus.
<PAGE>   3
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued July 7, 1998
 
                               25,000,000 Shares
 
                                  Safeway Inc.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
       LOGO
 
                            ------------------------
 
 Of the 25,000,000 Shares of Common Stock offered, 20,000,000 Shares are being
 offered initially in the United States and Canada by the U.S. Underwriters and
   5,000,000 Shares are being offered initially outside the United States and
Canada by the International Underwriters. See "Underwriters." All of the Shares
of Common Stock offered are being sold by the Selling Stockholders as described
    herein under "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and include 21,701,424
presently outstanding Shares and 3,298,576 Shares to be issued concurrently with
 the consummation of these offerings upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
None of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be received by the Company
     other than $1,649,288 (assuming no exercise of the U.S. Underwriters'
  over-allotment option) representing the exercise price of the warrants. The
Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"SWY." On July 6, 1998, the reported last sale price of the Common Stock on the
              New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape was $42 3/4.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
                            PRICE $          A SHARE
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   UNDERWRITING
                                           PRICE TO                DISCOUNTS AND          PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                            PUBLIC                COMMISSIONS(1)            STOCKHOLDERS(2)
                                           --------               --------------          -------------------
<S>                                <C>                       <C>                       <C>
Per Share........................              $                         $                         $
Total(3).........................              $                         $                         $
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
    (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
        Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
        the Securities Act of 1933. See "Underwriters."
 
    (2) Includes $1,649,288 to be paid to the Company representing the exercise
        price of warrants for 3,298,576 Shares at $0.50 per share. Expenses of
        the offerings, estimated at $        , will be paid by the Company.
 
    (3) The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters an option,
        exercisable within 30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an
        aggregate of 3,750,000 additional Shares at the price to public, less
        underwriting discounts and commissions, for the purpose of covering
        over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise such option
        in full, the total price to public, underwriting discounts and
        commissions and proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $        ,
        $        and $        , respectively, and the total amount to be paid to
        the Company representing the exercise price of warrants will be
        $        . See "Underwriters."
                            ------------------------
 
     The Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters named herein, and subject to approval of certain legal matters
by Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that the
delivery of the Shares will be made on or about July   , 1998, at the office of
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in
immediately available funds.
                            ------------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                   GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                                                             MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
       Securities Corporation
           ING BARING FURMAN SELZ LLC
                      LEHMAN BROTHERS
                                J.P. MORGAN & CO.
                                         SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
                                                WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
 
July   , 1998
<PAGE>   4
 
                                      LOGO
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERINGS MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK.
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS
AND MAY BID FOR, AND PURCHASE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR
A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED HEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY OF THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR BY ANY
UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY
ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH PERSON TO MAKE
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME
NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IMPLY THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................    3
Summary...............................    4
Price Range of Common Stock...........    7
Dividend Policy.......................    7
Capitalization........................    8
Selected Financial Data...............    9
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   10
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Business..............................   15
Principal and Selling Stockholders....   20
Description of Capital Stock..........   23
Certain United States Tax Consequences
  to Non-United States Holders........   24
Underwriters..........................   27
Legal Matters.........................   29
Experts...............................   30
Information Incorporated by
  Reference...........................   30
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Safeway Inc. ("Safeway" or the "Company") has filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
with respect to the securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, part of which
has been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
For further information about the Company and the securities offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed as
a part thereof and otherwise incorporated therein. Statements made in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any agreement or other document referred to
herein are qualified by reference to the copy of such agreement or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or such other
document, each such statement being qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, as
well as such reports and other information filed by the Company with the
Commission, can be inspected, without charge, and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington D.C., 20549; 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The
Commission also maintains a site on the World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov.,
which contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission and certain of the
Company's filings are available at such web site. Copies of such materials can
be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Reports and other
information concerning the Company can also be inspected at the offices of the
New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements of the Company, the notes thereto and the
other financial data contained elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated by
reference herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus
(i) assumes that the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option will not be
exercised and (ii) has been adjusted to give effect to a stock distribution
whereby each holder of the Company's Common Stock received on February 25, 1998
one additional share of Common Stock for each share owned as of February 10,
1998. This Prospectus, and the documents incorporated herein, contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such statements relate to, among other
things, capital expenditures, cost reduction, cash flow and operating
improvements and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate,"
"estimate," "plans," "projects," "management believes," "the Company believes,"
"the Company intends" and similar words or phrases. The following factors are
among the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements: general business and economic conditions in
the Company's operating regions, including the rate of inflation, population,
employment and job growth in the Company's markets; pricing pressures and other
competitive factors, which could include pricing strategies, store openings and
remodels; results of the Company's efforts to reduce costs; the ability to
integrate The Vons Companies, Inc. ("Vons") and achieve operating improvements
at Vons; increases in labor costs and deterioration in relations with the union
bargaining units representing the Company's employees; issues arising from
addressing year 2000 information technology issues; opportunities or
acquisitions that the Company may pursue; and the availability and terms of
financing. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from
those included in or contemplated or implied by such statements.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Safeway is the second largest food and drug chain in North America (based
on sales), with 1,370 stores (including 315 Vons stores) at March 28, 1998. The
Company's U.S. retail operations are located principally in northern California,
southern California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, the Mid-Atlantic
region and western Canada. The Company's Canadian retail operations are located
primarily in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan. For each of
its ten retail operating areas, the Company believes that it holds the number
one or number two market share position for the total area served. In support of
its retail operations, the Company has an extensive network of distribution,
manufacturing and food processing facilities.
 
     On April 8, 1997, the Company completed the merger with Vons pursuant to
which the Company issued 83.2 million shares of the Company's Common Stock for
all of the shares of Vons common stock that it did not already own (the
"Merger"). The Company also holds a 49% interest in Casa Ley, S.A. de C.V.
("Casa Ley"), which, as of March 28, 1998, operated 74 food and general
merchandise stores in western Mexico.
 
     Sales and net income for 1997 were $22.5 billion and $557.4 million,
respectively. Operating cash flow (FIFO earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization, equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
and extraordinary losses) increased from $777.0 million in 1993 to $1.7 billion
in 1997. In addition, diluted income per share (before extraordinary items)
increased from $0.25 in 1993 to $1.25 in 1997. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of
Operations."
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
     During the past five years, Safeway's management team has demonstrated
proficiency at turning around underperforming assets. Central to its success is
a simple but powerful formula that focuses on three key priorities: (1) control
costs, (2) increase sales and (3) improve capital management. Management's focus
on these three priorities has produced significant progress in the following key
measures of financial performance:
     - Identical-store sales growth
     - Expense ratio reduction
     - Working capital management
     - Operating cash flow margin
     - Earnings per share growth
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
     Safeway continues to be focused on these same three priorities, but there
can be no assurance as to the future results the Company will be able to
achieve.
 
     Control Costs
 
     Safeway has focused on controlling and reducing elements of its cost of
sales through better buying practices, lower advertising expenses, distribution
efficiencies, manufacturing plant closures and consolidations, improved category
management and increased private label mix. The Company's gross profit margin
has improved 143 basis points from 27.10% in 1993 to 28.53% in 1997. Safeway's
efforts to control or reduce operating and administrative expenses have included
overhead reduction in its administrative support functions, negotiation of
competitive labor agreements, store level work simplification, consolidation of
the Company's information technology operations, elimination of certain
corporate perquisites and the general encouragement of a "culture of thrift"
among employees. Safeway's operating and administrative expense as a percentage
of sales has declined 136 basis points from 24.20% in 1993 to 22.84% in 1997.
Vons historically had a higher operating and administrative expense to sales
ratio, and the Merger increased goodwill amortization, which caused this ratio
to increase from 22.48% in 1996. Safeway has begun to implement certain programs
that have been successful at Safeway which are generating operating improvements
and cost savings for Vons. On a pro forma basis, operating and administrative
expenses as a percentage of sales declined 35 basis points to 22.95% in 1997
from 23.30% in 1996. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of Operations."
 
     Increase Sales
 
   
     Safeway has increased sales by achieving and maintaining competitive
pricing, improving store standards, enhancing customer service and offering high
quality products. Safeway's efforts to upgrade store standards have focused on
improving store appearance, in-stock condition, employee friendliness and speed
of checkout. Despite labor disputes in certain of the Company's operating areas
and, during 1997, the absence of food price inflation in many of Safeway's
operating areas, comparable-store sales rose 2.2% for the year and
identical-store sales rose 1.3% for the year and 6.4% over a two-year period.
Safeway has over 850 premium corporate brand products under the "Safeway SELECT"
banner and recently added "Great Meal Combos," a line of prepared entrees and
side dishes, to its deli offerings. Since the Merger, Safeway has been applying
certain sales strategies that have been employed successfully by each of Safeway
and Vons. For example, Safeway has introduced the Safeway Club Card in many of
its operating areas (a customer loyalty program designed to reward frequent
shoppers), which was inspired by a similar program at Vons.
    
 
     Improve Capital Management
 
     Safeway's capital management has improved in two key areas: capital
expenditures and working capital. In the capital expenditure area, Safeway has
expanded its use of standardized layouts and centralized purchasing agreements
for building materials, fixtures and equipment for its new stores and remodels.
As a result, Safeway's new store prototype is less expensive to build and more
efficient to operate than the stores Safeway and Vons previously built and
operated. These lower project costs, coupled with Safeway's improved operations,
have allowed Safeway to improve its returns on capital investment. Safeway has
increased its capital expenditures to $829 million in 1997 from $620 million in
1996 and $503 million in 1995. Combined capital expenditures for Safeway and
Vons in fiscal 1998 are expected to increase to approximately $950 million and
will be used primarily to open 40 to 45 new stores, complete more than 200
remodels and finish construction of a distribution center in Maryland. Working
capital invested in the business has declined substantially since year-end 1993
primarily through lower warehouse inventory levels and improved payables
management.
 
STOCK REPURCHASE
 
     In connection with the Merger, the Company repurchased 64.0 million shares
of the Company's Common Stock from a partnership affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co. ("KKR") at $21.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of
$1.376 billion (the "Repurchase"). See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
This reduction of 64.0 million shares partially offset the increase of 83.2
million shares issued pursuant to the Merger. To finance the Repurchase, the
Company borrowed funds under a new $3.0 billion bank credit agreement (the "Bank
Credit
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
Agreement") and has since refinanced these borrowings with proceeds from the
sale of commercial paper. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Merger with Vons."
 
   
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
    
 
   
SECOND-QUARTER 1998 EARNINGS
    
 
   
     On July 9, 1998, Safeway reported net income of $193.2 million ($0.38 per
share) for the second quarter ended June 20, 1998, compared to $129.9 million
($0.26 per share) for the second quarter of 1997. Net income for the second
quarter of 1997 included an extraordinary loss of $4.2 million ($0.01 per share)
for the early retirement of debt. In addition, Safeway was engaged in a 75-day
labor dispute affecting 74 stores in the Alberta retail operating area which
reduced second quarter 1997 net income by approximately $0.04 per share.
    
 
   
     Second quarter sales increased 6.4% to $5.6 billion in 1998 from $5.2
billion in 1997, primarily because of strong store operations and the effect of
the 1997 strike in Alberta. Comparable-store sales increased 8.0%, while
identical-store sales increased 7.4%. The combined impact of the Alberta strike
and the timing of the Easter holiday increased store sale comparisons by
approximately 3.4 percentage points.
    
 
   
     Gross profit increased 37 basis points to 29.05% of sales in the second
quarter of 1998 from 28.68% in the second quarter of 1997 due primarily to
continuing improvements in buying practices and product mix. This improvement
was partially offset by promotional spending, including the introduction of the
Safeway Club Card in many of its operating areas. LIFO expense was $2.3 million
in the second quarter of 1998. Operating and administrative expense declined 77
basis points to 22.23% of sales in the second quarter of 1998 compared to 23.00%
in 1997, reflecting increased sales and ongoing efforts to reduce or control
expenses.
    
 
   
     Interest expense declined to $51.5 million in the second quarter of 1998
from $62.7 million for the second quarter of 1997, due primarily to the debt
refinancing in the third quarter of 1997. The combination of lower interest
expense and strong operating results pushed the interest coverage ratio
(operating cash flow divided by interest expense) to an all-time high of 9.74
times. Operating cash flow as a percentage of sales also reached an all-time
high of 8.98% for the quarter and 8.14% for the last four quarters.
    
 
   
     Equity in earnings of Casa Ley increased to $4.6 million for the quarter
from $4.3 million in 1997.
    
 
   
     Due to the Merger, Safeway's income statement for the first 24 weeks of
1998 includes Vons' operating results for the entire period, while the income
statement for the first 24 weeks of 1997 includes Vons' operating results for
the second quarter plus the effect of Safeway's 34.4% equity interest in Vons in
the first quarter. The following discussion compares results for the first 24
weeks of 1998 with pro forma results for the same period in 1997, as if Safeway
and Vons had merged at the beginning of 1997. For the first 24 weeks of 1998,
sales were $11.0 billion compared to pro forma sales of $10.6 billion in the
first 24 weeks of 1997. The gross profit margin improved 39 basis points to
29.04% in 1998 from a pro forma gross margin of 28.65% in 1997. Operating and
administrative expense improved 52 basis points to 22.55% of sales in 1998 from
pro forma expense of 23.07% in 1997.
    
 
   
     During the first two quarters of 1998, Safeway invested $333.5 million in
capital expenditures while opening 13 new stores and closing three stores. The
Company expects to spend approximately $950 million in 1998, open about 40 new
stores, complete more than 200 remodels and finish construction of the Maryland
distribution center.
    
 
   
     Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated,
references herein to "Safeway" or the "Company" include Safeway Inc. and its
subsidiaries. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 5918
Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California 94588, and the telephone number is
(925) 467-3000.
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
   
                         SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    
 
   
                               OPERATING RESULTS
    
   
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
    
   
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        12 WEEKS ENDED            24 WEEKS ENDED
                                                    ----------------------    ----------------------
                                                    JUNE 20,     JUNE 14,     JUNE 20,     JUNE 14,
                                                      1998         1997         1998         1997
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Sales.............................................  $ 5,583.3    $ 5,249.2    $10,972.6    $ 9,327.0
                                                    =========    =========    =========    =========
Gross profit......................................  $ 1,622.2    $ 1,505.3    $ 3,186.3    $ 2,650.8
Operating and administrative expense..............   (1,241.3)    (1,207.3)    (2,474.2)    (2,128.0)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Operating profit..................................      380.9        298.0        712.1        522.8
Interest expense..................................      (51.5)       (62.7)      (104.4)      (101.4)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates...        4.6          4.3         10.4         21.5
Other income, net.................................        0.4          0.6          1.7          1.4
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Income before income taxes and extraordinary
  loss............................................      334.4        240.2        619.8        444.3
Income taxes......................................     (141.2)      (106.1)      (261.8)      (187.7)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Income before extraordinary loss..................      193.2        134.1        358.0        256.6
Extraordinary loss related to early retirement of
  debt, net of income tax benefit.................         --         (4.2)          --         (4.2)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net income........................................  $   193.2    $   129.9    $   358.0    $   252.4
                                                    =========    =========    =========    =========
Diluted earnings per share:
  Income before extraordinary loss................  $    0.38    $    0.27    $    0.71    $    0.52
  Extraordinary loss..............................         --        (0.01)          --        (0.01)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
  Net income......................................  $    0.38    $    0.26    $    0.71    $    0.51
                                                    =========    =========    =========    =========
Weighted average shares outstanding -- diluted
  (in millions)...................................      508.2        500.6        507.4        490.4
                                                    =========    =========    =========    =========
Operating cash flow:
Income before extraordinary loss..................  $   193.2    $   134.1    $   358.0    $   256.6
Add (subtract):
  Income taxes....................................      141.2        106.1        261.8        187.7
  Interest expense................................       51.5         62.7        104.4        101.4
  Depreciation....................................      106.3        100.3        211.4        178.6
  Goodwill amortization...........................       11.7         11.9         23.5         14.3
  LIFO expense....................................        2.3           --          2.3          2.3
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
     affiliates...................................       (4.6)        (4.3)       (10.4)       (21.5)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
          Total operating cash flow...............  $   501.6    $   410.8    $   951.0    $   719.4
                                                    =========    =========    =========    =========
  As a percent of sales...........................       8.98%        7.83%        8.67%        7.71%
  As a multiple of interest expense...............       9.74x        6.55         9.11x        7.09x
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company's Common Stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "SWY" since its initial public offering in May 1990.
 
     The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the
Company's Common Stock for the fiscal quarters indicated as reported by the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Tape. Prices have been adjusted to give effect to
two-for-one stock splits effected on January 30, 1996 and February 25, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               HIGH        LOW
                                                              ------      -----
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
1995
  First quarter.............................................   $ 9         $ 7 21/32
  Second quarter............................................     9 5/8       7 25/32
  Third quarter.............................................    10 5/32      8 31/32
  Fourth quarter............................................    12 7/8       9 31/32
1996
  First quarter.............................................   $15 1/16    $11 7/32
  Second quarter............................................    17 13/16    13 3/16
  Third quarter.............................................    19 1/8      15 7/8
  Fourth quarter............................................    22 11/16    18 5/8
1997
  First quarter.............................................   $26         $20 9/16
  Second quarter............................................    24 13/16    21 1/8
  Third quarter.............................................    27 3/4      23 1/16
  Fourth quarter............................................    31 23/32    25 11/32
1998
  First quarter.............................................   $37 1/4     $30 1/2
  Second quarter............................................    40 7/16     34
  Third quarter (through July 2, 1998)......................    42 15/16    40 1/16
</TABLE>
 
     The reported last sale price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Tape on July 6, 1998 was 42 3/4.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     Safeway has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock
since it was acquired by a corporation formed by KKR in 1986, and does not
currently intend to declare or pay any cash dividends. Any determination to pay
dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors and will be dependent upon Safeway's results of operations, financial
condition, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, any contractual
restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Dividends."
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the short-term debt and the capitalization
of Safeway at March 28, 1998 (in millions). None of the proceeds from the sale
of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be received by the Company
other than an aggregate of $1,649,288 representing the exercise price of certain
outstanding warrants.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 28,
                                                                1998
                                                              ---------
<S>                                                           <C>
Short-term borrowings(1)....................................  $  317.5
                                                              ========
 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations................  $3,098.0
Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,500 shares
     authorized; 540.2 shares outstanding(2)(3).............       5.4
  Additional paid-in capital................................   2,492.2
  Retained earnings.........................................   1,479.8
  Cumulative translation adjustments........................       1.0
  Less: Treasury stock at cost; 61.1 shares.................  (1,314.2)
  Unexercised warrants purchased: 18.2 shares(3)............    (322.7)
                                                              --------
          Total stockholders' equity........................   2,341.5
                                                              --------
          Total capitalization..............................  $5,439.5
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Consists of the current portion of long-term debt and capital lease
    obligations.
 
(2) Excludes 39.9 million shares of Common Stock underlying stock options and
    28.3 million shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants (the
    "SSI Warrants") held by SSI Equity Associates, L.P. ("SSI Equity
    Associates"). In connection with the offerings, it is anticipated that SSI
    Warrants to purchase 3,298,576 shares of Common Stock will be exercised for
    an aggregate exercise price of $1,649,288 and SSI Warrants to purchase
    5,990,831 shares of Common Stock will be canceled. See "Principal and
    Selling Stockholders."
 
(3) SSI Equity Associates is a partnership whose sole assets consist of the SSI
    Warrants. At March 28, 1998, 64.5% of the shares issuable upon exercise of
    the SSI Warrants were attributable to limited partnership interests in SSI
    Equity Associates owned by Safeway.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                         SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
     The financial data below are derived from the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company, except for the financial data for the
12-week periods ended March 28, 1998 and March 22, 1997, which are derived from
unaudited financial statements. The selected financial data should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and
accompanying notes, which are incorporated by reference herein. In the opinion
of management, the results of operations for the 12 weeks ended March 28, 1998
and March 22, 1997 contain all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring
nature necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of
operations for such periods. The results for the 12 weeks ended March 28, 1998
are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   12 WEEKS ENDED
                                                ---------------------      53          52          52          52          52
                                                MARCH 28,   MARCH 22,     WEEKS       WEEKS       WEEKS       WEEKS       WEEKS
                                                  1998       1997(1)     1997(1)      1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Sales.........................................  $5,389.3    $4,077.8    $22,483.8   $17,269.0   $16,397.5   $15,626.6   $15,214.5
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Gross profit..................................   1,564.1     1,145.5      6,414.7     4,774.2     4,492.4     4,287.3     4,123.3
Operating and administrative expense..........  (1,232.9)     (920.7)    (5,135.0)   (3,882.5)   (3,765.0)   (3,675.2)   (3,681.8)
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Operating profit..............................     331.2       224.8      1,279.7       891.7       727.4       612.1       441.5
Interest expense..............................     (52.9)      (38.7)      (241.2)     (178.5)     (199.8)     (221.7)     (265.5)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
  affiliates..................................       5.8        17.2         34.9        50.0        26.9        27.3        33.5
Other income, net.............................       1.3         0.8          2.9         4.4         2.0         6.4         6.8
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Income before income taxes and extraordinary
  loss........................................     285.4       204.1      1,076.3       767.6       556.5       424.1       216.3
Income taxes..................................    (120.6)      (81.6)      (454.8)     (307.0)     (228.2)     (173.9)      (93.0)
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Income before extraordinary loss..............     164.8       122.5        621.5       460.6       328.3       250.2       123.3
Extraordinary loss, net of tax benefit of
  $41.1, $1.3 and $6.7........................        --          --        (64.1)         --        (2.0)      (10.5)         --
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Net income....................................  $  164.8    $  122.5    $   557.4   $   460.6   $   326.3   $   239.7   $   123.3
                                                =========   ========    =========   =========   =========   =========   =========
Diluted earnings per share:
  Income before extraordinary loss............  $   0.33    $   0.26    $    1.25   $    0.97   $    0.68   $    0.51   $    0.25
  Extraordinary loss..........................        --          --        (0.13)         --          --       (0.02)         --
                                                ---------   --------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
  Net income..................................  $   0.33    $   0.26    $    1.12   $    0.97   $    0.68   $    0.49   $    0.25
                                                =========   ========    =========   =========   =========   =========   =========
FINANCIAL STATISTICS:
Identical-store sales(2)......................       1.2%        3.6%         1.3%        5.1%        4.6%        4.4%        2.1%
Comparable-store sales........................       1.8         4.4          2.2         6.1         5.5         5.0         3.5
Gross profit margin...........................     29.02       28.09        28.53       27.65       27.40       27.44       27.10
Operating and administrative expense as a
  percent of sales............................     22.88       22.58        22.84       22.48       22.96       23.52       24.20
Operating profit margin.......................       6.1         5.5          5.7         5.2         4.4         3.9         2.9
Operating cash flow(3)........................  $  449.4    $  308.6    $ 1,732.3   $ 1,239.5   $ 1,068.6   $   947.6   $   777.0
Operating cash flow margin....................      8.34%       7.57%        7.70%       7.18%       6.52%       6.06%       5.11%
Capital expenditures(4).......................  $  105.5    $   70.0    $   829.4   $   620.3   $   503.2   $   352.2   $   290.2
Depreciation and amortization.................     116.9        80.7        455.8       338.5       329.7       326.4       330.2
Total assets..................................   8,537.2     5,468.3      8,493.9     5,545.2     5,194.3     5,022.1     5,074.7
Total debt....................................   3,415.5     1,931.3      3,340.3     1,984.2     2,190.2     2,196.1     2,689.2
Stockholders' equity..........................   2,341.5     1,322.8      2,149.0     1,186.8       795.5       643.8       382.9
Weighted average shares outstanding -- diluted
  (in millions)...............................     506.7       477.7        497.7       475.7       481.2       494.2       493.8
OTHER STATISTICS:
Vons stores acquired during the period........        --          --          316          --          --          --          --
Total stores at period-end....................     1,370       1,053        1,368       1,052       1,059       1,062       1,078
Remodels completed during the period(5).......       N/A         N/A          181         141         108          71          45
Total retail square footage at period-end (in
  millions)...................................      53.3        40.7         53.2        40.7        40.1        39.5        39.4
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Safeway completed the acquisition of Vons on April 8, 1997. The results of
    operations of Vons are included in the Company's results of operations as of
    the beginning of the second quarter of 1997.
 
(2) Reflects sales increases for stores (excluding replacement stores but
    including Vons stores for the final 41 weeks of 1997 and 1998) operating the
    entire measurement period in both the current and prior periods. The 1997
    and 1996 annual identical-store sales exclude British Columbia stores, which
    were closed during a labor dispute in 1996.
 
(3) Defined on page 12.
 
(4) Defined under "Business -- Capital Expenditure Program."
 
(5) Defined as store projects (other than maintenance) generally requiring
    expenditures in excess of $200,000.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
MERGER WITH VONS
 
     On April 8, 1997, Safeway completed the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger,
Safeway issued 83.2 million shares of Safeway Common Stock for all of the Vons
stock that Safeway did not already own. The Merger was accounted for using the
purchase method and resulted in additional goodwill which is being amortized
over 40 years. Vons is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Safeway, and as of the
beginning of the second quarter of 1997, Safeway's consolidated financial
statements include Vons' financial results.
 
     In connection with the Merger, Safeway repurchased 64.0 million shares of
Common Stock from a partnership affiliated with KKR at $21.50 per share, for an
aggregate purchase price of $1.376 billion. To finance the Repurchase, Safeway
entered into the Bank Credit Agreement, which provides for, among other things,
increased borrowing capacity, extended maturities and the opportunity to pay
lower interest rates based on improved interest coverage ratios or public debt
ratings. During the third quarter of 1997, Safeway entered the commercial paper
market and used the proceeds to repay borrowings under the Bank Credit
Agreement. The Bank Credit Agreement is used primarily as a backup facility to
the commercial paper program. As a result of the Repurchase, Safeway increased
its debt and interest expense, but also reduced the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding that otherwise would have been used to calculate earnings per
share. This reduction of 64.0 million shares partially offset the increase of
83.2 million shares issued pursuant to the Merger.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MARCH 28, 1998 COMPARED TO 12 WEEKS ENDED MARCH 22, 1997
 
     Safeway's net income was $164.8 ($0.33 per share) for the first quarter
ended March 28, 1998, compared to $122.5 million ($0.26 per share) for the first
quarter of 1997. First-quarter sales increased 32% to $5.4 billion in 1998 from
$4.1 billion in 1997 due primarily to the Merger in the second quarter of 1997.
Identical-store sales (which exclude replacement stores) increased 1.2% while
comparable-store sales increased 1.8%. These same-store sales comparisons were
adversely affected by the timing of the Easter holiday.
 
     Gross profit represents the portion of sales revenue remaining after
deducting the costs of inventory sold during the period, including purchase and
distribution costs. Gross profit increased 39 basis points to 29.02% of sales in
the first quarter of 1998 from combined pro forma gross profit of 28.63% in
1997, primarily due to improvements in buying practices and product mix. Safeway
did not record LIFO expense in the first quarter of 1998 reflecting management's
expectation of little or no inflation for the full year. Operating and
administrative expense was 22.88% of sales in 1998, down 26 basis points from
combined pro forma operating and administrative expense of 23.14% in 1997,
reflecting increased sales and ongoing efforts to reduce or control expenses.
Pro forma information is based on the 1997 combined historical financial
statements of Safeway and Vons as if the Merger had occurred at the beginning of
the first quarter of 1997.
 
     Interest expense for the first quarter was $52.9 million in 1998 compared
to $38.7 million last year. Interest expense increased because of debt incurred
to repurchase stock in conjunction with the Merger. Despite the large increase
in interest expense, the quarterly interest coverage ratio (operating cash flow
divided by interest expense) improved to an all-time high of 8.50 times in 1998.
Operating cash flow, as defined on page 13, also reached an all-time high of
8.34% of sales in the first quarter of 1998. This compares to 7.97% in the first
quarter of 1997.
 
     Equity in earnings of Casa Ley, Safeway's unconsolidated affiliate, was
$5.8 million in 1998, up from $5.0 million in 1997. First-quarter 1997 equity in
earnings of unconsolidated affiliates also included $12.2 million for Safeway's
35% share of Vons' earnings. Safeway's and Vons' operating results were
consolidated beginning with Safeway's second quarter of 1997.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
     1997 COMPARED TO 1996 AND 1995
 
     Safeway's net income was $557.4 million ($1.12 per share) in 1997, $460.6
million ($0.97 per share) in 1996, and $326.3 million ($0.68 per share) in 1995.
In 1997 and 1995, income before extraordinary items related to debt refinancings
was $621.5 million ($1.25 per share) and $328.3 million ($0.68 per share),
respectively.
 
     Safeway's 1997 income statement includes Vons' operating results since the
second quarter plus the effect of Safeway's 34.4% equity interest in Vons in the
first quarter, while the 1996 income statement reflects Safeway's equity
interest in Vons for the full year. In order to facilitate an understanding of
the Company's operations, this financial review presents certain pro forma
information based on the 1997 and 1996 combined historical financial statements
of the two companies as if the Merger had been effective as of the beginning of
each of the years discussed. See Note B to the Company's 1997 Consolidated
Financial Statements.
 
     During the second quarter of 1997, Safeway was engaged in a 75-day labor
dispute affecting 74 stores in the Alberta, Canada operating area. The Company
estimates that the Alberta strike reduced 1997 net income by approximately $0.04
per share, and labor disputes in the British Columbia and Denver operating areas
reduced 1996 net income by an estimated $0.07 per share.
 
     A nine-day strike during the second quarter of 1995 affected 208 stores in
northern California. The Company estimates that this dispute reduced 1995
earnings by approximately $0.01 per share.
 
     Sales. Sales for the 53 weeks of 1997 were $22.5 billion compared to $17.3
billion for the 52 weeks of 1996. The increase was due primarily to the Merger
and the additional week in 1997. Identical-store sales (stores operating the
entire year in both 1997 and 1996, excluding replacement stores but including
Vons stores for 41 weeks in both years) increased 1.3% while comparable-store
sales, which includes replacement stores, increased 2.2%. The effects of the
second-quarter strike in Alberta weakened 1997 identical and comparable-store
sales comparisons. Lack of inflation also softened 1997 sales comparisons.
Excluded from identical and comparable-store sales comparisons are 86 stores in
British Columbia that were closed during a strike-lockout for a portion of the
second and third quarters of 1996.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit was 28.53% of sales in 1997 compared to 27.65%
in 1996 and 27.40% in 1995. On a pro forma basis, gross profit increased to
28.63% of sales in 1997 from 28.20% in 1996, primarily due to improvements in
buying practices and product mix. In addition, the Company recorded LIFO income
of $6.1 million in 1997 compared to LIFO expense of $4.9 million in 1996
reflecting slight deflation in 1997.
 
     Operating and Administrative Expense. Operating and administrative expense
was 22.84% of sales in 1997 compared to 22.48% in 1996 and 22.96% in 1995.
Safeway's operating and administrative expense-to-sales ratio has increased
compared to 1996 because Vons' operating and administrative expense ratio has
historically been higher than Safeway's (partially due to the high cost of real
estate and labor in southern California). In addition, goodwill amortization has
increased by approximately $30 million as a result of the Merger. On a pro forma
basis, operating and administrative expense declined 35 basis points to 22.95%
of sales in 1997, from 23.30% in 1996.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $241.2 million in 1997 from
$178.5 million in 1996 because of the debt incurred during the second quarter of
1997 to repurchase stock in conjunction with the Merger.
 
     During 1997, Safeway recorded an extraordinary loss of $64.1 million ($0.13
per share) for the repurchase of $588.5 million of Safeway's public debt, $285.5
million of Vons' public debt, and $40.0 million of medium-term notes. The
extraordinary loss represents the payment of premiums on retired debt and the
write-off of deferred finance costs, net of the related tax benefit. Safeway
financed this repurchase with a public offering of $600 million of senior debt
securities and the balance with commercial paper. The refinancing extended
Safeway's overall long-term debt maturities and increased its financial
flexibility.
 
     In May 1997, Safeway entered into interest rate cap agreements which expire
in 1999 and entitle the Company to receive from counterparties the amounts, if
any, by which interest at LIBOR on an $850 million notional amount exceeds 7%.
The unamortized cost to purchase the cap agreements was $2.5 million at year-end
1997.
 
     As of year-end 1997, the Company had effectively converted $135.1 million
of its floating rate debt to fixed interest rate debt through the use of
interest rate swap agreements. Interest rate swap and cap agreements increased
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
interest expense by $3.3 million in 1997, $3.0 million in 1996 and $0.3 million
in 1995. The significant terms of swap and cap agreements outstanding at
year-end 1997 are described in Note E to the Company's 1997 Consolidated
Financial Statements which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates. Safeway records its equity
in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on a one-quarter delay basis.
 
     Income from Safeway's equity investment in Casa Ley increased to $22.7
million in 1997 from $18.8 million in 1996 and $8.6 million in 1995. For much of
1995, Mexico suffered from high interest rates and inflation which adversely
affected Casa Ley. Since 1996, interest rates and inflation in Mexico moderated
and Casa Ley's financial results have gradually improved.
 
     Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates included Safeway's share of
Vons' earnings of $12.2 million in the first quarter of 1997, $31.2 million in
1996, and $18.3 million in 1995.
 
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
 
     Net cash flow from operations declined in the first quarter of 1998
compared to the same quarter in 1997 because of changes in working capital. The
largest change was due to a decrease in accounts payable related to capital
expenditures.
 
     Cash flow used by investing activities for the first 12 weeks of the year
was $105.2 million in 1998, compared to $55.3 million in 1997, which was
primarily the result of increased capital expenditures to open three new stores
and to continue construction of a new distribution center in Maryland.
 
     Financing activities provided cash flow of $73.4 million in the first
quarter of 1998 which was used primarily to fund increased capital expenditures.
Financing activities used cash of $63.3 million in the first quarter of 1997.
 
     Net cash flow from operations as presented on the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows is an important measure of cash generated by the
Company's operating activities. Operating cash flow, as defined below, is
similar to net cash flow from operations because it excludes certain noncash
items. However, operating cash flow also excludes interest expense and income
taxes. Management believes that operating cash flow is relevant because it
assists investors in evaluating Safeway's ability to service its debt by
providing a commonly used measure of cash available to pay interest, and it
facilitates comparisons of Safeway's results of operations with those companies
having different capital structures. However, other companies may define
operating cash flow differently, and as a result, such measures may not be
comparable to Safeway's operating cash flow. Safeway's computation of operating
cash flow is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              12 WEEKS ENDED
                                          ----------------------
                                          MARCH 28,    MARCH 22,    52 WEEKS     52 WEEKS     52 WEEKS
                                            1998         1997         1997         1996         1995
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Income before income taxes and
  extraordinary loss....................   $ 285.4      $ 204.1     $ 1,076.3    $   767.6    $   556.5
LIFO expense(income)....................        --          2.3          (6.1)         4.9          9.5
Interest expense........................      52.9         38.7         241.2        178.5        199.8
Depreciation and amortization...........     116.9         80.7         455.8        338.5        329.7
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
  affiliates............................      (5.8)       (17.2)        (34.9)       (50.0)       (26.9)
                                           -------      -------     ---------    ---------    ---------
Operating cash flow.....................   $ 449.4      $ 308.6     $ 1,732.3    $ 1,239.5    $ 1,068.6
                                           =======      =======     =========    =========    =========
  As a percent of sales.................      8.34%        7.57%         7.70%        7.18%        6.52%
  As a multiple of interest expense.....      8.50x        7.97x         7.18x        6.94x        5.35x
</TABLE>
 
     Based upon the current level of operations, Safeway believes that operating
cash flow and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under Safeway's
commercial paper program and the Bank Credit Agreement, will be adequate to meet
anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, interest
payments and scheduled principal payments for the foreseeable future. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Company's
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
business will continue to generate cash flow at or above current levels. The
Bank Credit Agreement is used primarily as a backup facility to the commercial
paper program.
 
WARRANTS
 
     SSI Equity Associates, a related party, is a limited partnership whose sole
assets consist of warrants to purchase 28.3 million shares of Common Stock at
$0.50 per share. The SSI Warrants are exercisable through November 15, 2001.
During 1996 and 1995, the Company acquired 64.5% of the partnership interests in
SSI Equity Associates for $322.7 million, which was accounted for as a reduction
to stockholders' equity.
 
STOCK OFFERINGS
 
     In December 1997 and January 1998, the Company completed the public
offering of an aggregate of 56.5 million shares of Common Stock owned by
affiliates of KKR, including 6.5 million shares issued upon the exercise of SSI
Warrants. In connection with the offering, SSI Warrants to purchase 11.9 million
shares attributable to the limited partnership interest owned by Safeway were
canceled. The Company received proceeds totaling $3.3 million for the exercise
of the warrants. Affiliates of KKR received the balance of proceeds from the
stock offering.
 
     In February 1996, the Company completed the public offering of 45.9 million
shares of Common Stock owned by affiliates of KKR, including 4.4 million shares
issued upon the exercise of SSI Warrants and 0.4 million shares issued upon the
exercise of employee stock options. Also in 1996, SSI Warrants to purchase 4.6
million shares attributable to the limited partnership interests owned by
Safeway were canceled. The Company received proceeds of $2.4 million for the
exercise price of the options and warrants. Affiliates of KKR and the option
holder received the balance of proceeds from the stock offering.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM
 
     A component of the Company's long-term strategy is its capital expenditure
program. During 1997, Safeway and Vons together invested $829.4 million in
capital expenditures to, among other things, open 37 new stores and begin work
on a new distribution center in Maryland. Combined capital expenditures for
Safeway and Vons in fiscal 1998 are expected to increase to approximately $950
million to open 40 to 45 new stores, complete more than 200 remodels and finish
construction of the Maryland distribution center.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     The year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs that were written
using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. For example,
computer programs that have time-sensitive software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. To the extent that the
Company's software applications contain source code that is unable to
appropriately interpret the upcoming calendar year 2000 and beyond, some level
of modification or replacement of such applications will be necessary to avoid
system failures and the temporary inability to process transactions or engage in
other normal business activities.
 
     The Company utilizes a significant number of computer software programs and
operating systems across its entire organization, including applications used in
stores, manufacturing, product development, financial business systems and
various administrative functions. The Company has completed its identification
of applications that are not "year 2000" compliant and has commenced
modification or replacement of such applications, as necessary. In addition, the
Company is communicating with major vendors to determine the extent to which the
Company is vulnerable to third-party year 2000 compliance issues. Based upon the
information known at this time about the Company's systems that are
non-compliant, coupled with the Company's ongoing, normal course-of-business
efforts to upgrade or replace critical systems, as necessary, management does
not expect year 2000 compliance costs to have any material adverse impact on the
Company's liquidity or ongoing results of operations. No assurance can be given,
however, that all of the Company's and vendors' systems will be year 2000
compliant or that compliance costs or the impact of any failure to achieve
substantial year 2000 compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's future liquidity or results of operations.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 (Reporting Comprehensive Income), which
requires that a Company report, by major components and as a single total, the
change in its net assets during the period from nonowner sources, and No. 131
(Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information), which
establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise's operating
segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas
and major customers. Adoption of these statements will not impact the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and any
effect will be limited to the form and content of its disclosures. Both
statements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997,
with earlier application permitted.
 
     In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
finalized SOP 98-1 (Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use), which defines the types of costs that are
capitalizable for computer software projects and requires all other costs to be
expensed in the period incurred. The new SOP requires that in order for costs to
be capitalizable they must be intended to create a new system or add
identifiable functionality to an existing system. This SOP is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. Although the Company has not
fully assessed the implications of this new statement, the Company does not
believe adoption of this statement will have a material impact on the Company's
financial statements.
 
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities), which defines derivatives, requires that all
derivatives be carried at fair value, and provides for hedge accounting when
certain conditions are met. This statement is effective for all fiscal quarters
of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. Although the Company has not
fully assessed the implications of this new statement, the Company does not
believe adoption of this statement will have a material impact on the Company's
financial statements.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     Safeway is the second largest food and drug chain in North America (based
on sales), with 1,370 stores (including 315 Vons stores) at March 28, 1998. The
Company's U.S. retail operations are located principally in northern California,
southern California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, the Mid-Atlantic
region and western Canada. The Company's Canadian retail operations are located
primarily in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan. For each of
its ten retail operating areas, the Company believes that it holds the number
one or number two market share position for the total area served. In support of
its retail operations, the Company has an extensive network of distribution,
manufacturing and food processing facilities.
 
     On April 8, 1997, the Company completed the Merger pursuant to which the
Company issued 83.2 million shares of the Company's Common Stock for all of the
shares of Vons common stock that it did not already own. The Company also holds
a 49% interest in Casa Ley, which, as of March 28, 1998, operated 74 food and
general merchandise stores in western Mexico.
 
     Sales and net income for 1997 were $22.5 billion and $557.4 million,
respectively. Operating cash flow (FIFO earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization, equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
and extraordinary losses) increased from $777.0 million in 1993 to $1.7 billion
in 1997. In addition, diluted income per share (before extraordinary items)
increased from $0.25 in 1993 to $1.25 in 1997. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of
Operations."
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
     During the past five years, Safeway's management team has demonstrated
proficiency at turning around underperforming assets. Central to its success is
a simple but powerful formula that focuses on three key priorities: (1) control
costs, (2) increase sales and (3) improve capital management. Management's focus
on these three priorities has produced significant progress in the following key
measures of financial performance:
 
        - Identical-store sales growth
 
        - Expense ratio reduction
 
        - Working capital management
 
        - Operating cash flow margin
 
        - Earnings per share growth
 
     Safeway continues to be focused on these same three priorities, but there
can be no assurance as to the future results the Company will be able to
achieve.
 
  Control Costs
 
     Safeway has focused on controlling and reducing elements of its cost of
sales through better buying practices, lower advertising expenses, distribution
efficiencies, manufacturing plant closures and consolidations, improved category
management and increased private label mix. The Company's gross profit margin
has improved 143 basis points from 27.10% in 1993 to 28.53% in 1997. Safeway's
efforts to control or reduce operating and administrative expenses have included
overhead reduction in its administrative support functions, negotiation of
competitive labor agreements, store level work simplification, consolidation of
the Company's information technology operations, elimination of certain
corporate perquisites and the general encouragement of a "culture of thrift"
among employees. Safeway's operating and administrative expense as a percentage
of sales has declined 136 basis points from 24.20% in 1993 to 22.84% in 1997.
Vons historically had a higher operating and administrative expense to sales
ratio, and the Merger increased goodwill amortization, which caused this ratio
to increase from 22.48% in 1996. Safeway has begun to implement certain programs
that have been successful at Safeway which are generating operating improvements
and cost savings for Vons. On a pro forma basis, operating and administrative
expenses as a percentage of sales declined 35 basis points to 22.95% in 1997
from 23.30% in 1996. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of Operations."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
  Increase Sales
 
   
     Safeway has increased sales by achieving and maintaining competitive
pricing, improving store standards, enhancing customer service and offering high
quality products. Safeway's efforts to upgrade store standards have focused on
improving store appearance, in-stock condition, employee friendliness and speed
of checkout. Despite labor disputes in certain of the Company's operating areas
and, during 1997, the absence of food price inflation in many of Safeway's
operating areas, comparable-store sales rose 2.2% for the year and
identical-store sales rose 1.3% for the year and 6.4% over a two-year period.
Safeway has over 850 premium corporate brand products under the "Safeway SELECT"
banner and recently added "Great Meal Combos," a line of prepared entrees and
side dishes, to its deli offerings. Since the Merger, Safeway has been applying
certain sales strategies that have been employed successfully by each of Safeway
and Vons. For example, Safeway has introduced the Safeway Club Card in many of
its operating areas (a customer loyalty program designed to reward frequent
shoppers), which was inspired by a similar program at Vons.
    
 
  Improve Capital Management
 
     Safeway's capital management has improved in two key areas: capital
expenditures and working capital. In the capital expenditure area, Safeway has
expanded its use of standardized layouts and centralized purchasing agreements
for building materials, fixtures and equipment for its new stores and remodels.
As a result, Safeway's new store prototype is less expensive to build and more
efficient to operate than the stores Safeway and Vons previously built and
operated. These lower project costs, coupled with Safeway's improved operations,
have allowed Safeway to improve its returns on capital investment. Safeway has
increased its capital expenditures to $829 million in 1997 from $620 million in
1996 and $503 million in 1995. Combined capital expenditures for Safeway and
Vons in fiscal 1998 are expected to increase to approximately $950 million and
will be used primarily to open 40 to 45 new stores, complete more than 200
remodels and finish construction of the Maryland distribution center. Working
capital invested in the business has declined substantially since year-end 1993
primarily through lower warehouse inventory levels and improved payables
management.
 
RETAIL OPERATIONS
 
  Stores
 
     Safeway operates stores ranging in size from approximately 5,900 square
feet to over 89,000 square feet. Safeway determines the size of a new store
based on a number of considerations, including the needs of the community the
store serves, the location and site plan, and the estimated return on capital
invested. Most stores offer a wide selection of both food and general
merchandise and feature a variety of specialty departments such as bakery,
delicatessen, floral and pharmacy. In most of Safeway's larger stores, specialty
departments are showcased in each corner and along the perimeter walls of the
store to create a pleasant shopping atmosphere. Safeway's primary new store
prototype is 55,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate changing consumer
needs and to achieve certain operating efficiencies.
 
     Safeway continues to operate a number of smaller stores which offer an
extensive selection of food and general merchandise, and generally include one
or more specialty departments. These stores remain an important part of the
Company's store network in smaller communities and certain other locations where
larger stores may not be feasible because of space limitations and/or community
needs or restrictions.
 
     The following table summarizes the stores operated by Safeway by size at
March 28, 1998:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF
                                                               STORES        TOTAL
                                                              ---------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Less than 30,000 square feet................................      368         26.9%
30,000 to 50,000............................................      728         53.1
More than 50,000............................................      274         20.0
                                                                -----        -----
          Total stores......................................    1,370        100.0%
                                                                =====        =====
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
  Store Ownership
 
     At March 28, 1998, Safeway owned more than one-third of its stores. Safeway
leased the remaining stores. In recent years, the Company has opted for
ownership of new developments where possible because it provides greater control
and flexibility with respect to financing terms, remodeling, expansions and
closures.
 
  Merchandising
 
     Safeway's operating strategy is to provide value to its customers by
maintaining high store standards and a wide selection of high quality products
at competitive prices. The Company emphasizes high quality perishables, such as
produce and meat, and specialty departments, including in-store bakery,
delicatessen, floral and pharmacy, designed to provide one-stop shopping for
today's busy shoppers.
 
     Safeway has developed a line of over 850 premium corporate brand products
under the "Safeway SELECT" banner. These products include, among others, soft
drinks, pasta and pasta sauces, salsa, whole bean coffee, cookies, ice cream,
yogurt, pet food and laundry detergent. The line also includes Safeway SELECT
"Healthy Advantage" items such as low-fat ice cream and low-fat cereal bars,
Safeway SELECT "Gourmet Club" frozen entrees and hors d'oeuvres.
 
     The Safeway SELECT line is designed to offer premium quality products that
are equal or superior in quality to comparable best-selling nationally
advertised brands, are offered at more competitive prices, or are not available
from national brand manufacturers. Safeway also offers a wide selection of
private label products under well-known and respected brand names such as
Safeway, Vons, Lucerne, Jerseymaid and Mrs. Wright's, which Safeway believes are
equivalent in quality to comparable nationally advertised brands.
 
     The Company continually refines its merchandising strategies, which are
designed to identify and accommodate changing demographics, lifestyles and
product preferences of its customers. Safeway has intensified its efforts to
improve in-stock conditions and enhance merchandise presentation and selection.
 
MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE OPERATIONS
 
     The principal function of manufacturing operations is to purchase,
manufacture and process private label merchandise sold in stores operated by the
Company. As measured by sales dollars, over one-half of Safeway's private label
merchandise is manufactured in company-owned plants, and the remainder is
purchased from third parties.
 
     During 1993, Safeway began a review to identify manufacturing operations
that were not providing acceptable returns. This review resulted in the sale or
closure of 19 plants from 1993 through March 28, 1998 and a reorganization of
the manufacturing division administrative office during 1994. In 1998, Safeway
expects to have fully operational a new food processing plant in California
which will replace one that was closed in 1997 and another that is expected to
close in 1998. The ongoing review of all remaining manufacturing operations may
result in additional plant closures.
 
     Safeway's Canadian subsidiary has a wholesale operation that distributes
both national brands and private label products to independent grocery stores
and institutional customers.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
     Safeway operated the following manufacturing and processing facilities at
March 28, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              U.S.        CANADA
                                                              ----        ------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Milk plants.................................................    7            3
Bread baking plants.........................................    6            2
Ice cream plants............................................    5            2
Cheese and meat packaging plants............................    2            1
Soft drink bottling plants..................................    4           --
Fruit and vegetable processing plants.......................    1            3
Other food processing plants................................    3            2
Pet food plants.............................................    1           --
                                                               --           --
          Total.............................................   29           13
                                                               ==           ==
</TABLE>
 
     In addition, the Company operates laboratory facilities for quality
assurance and research and development in certain of its plants and at its U.S.
manufacturing headquarters in Walnut Creek, California.
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each of Safeway's ten retail operating areas is served by a regional
distribution center consisting of one or more facilities. Safeway has 13
distribution/warehousing centers (ten in the United States and three in Canada),
which collectively provide the majority of all products to stores operated by
the Company. Safeway's distribution centers in northern California and British
Columbia are operated by a third party. Management regularly reviews
distribution operations focusing on whether these operations support their
operating areas in a cost-effective manner. As a result of such reviews, Safeway
is constructing a replacement distribution center in Maryland and expects to
complete it by the end of 1998.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM
 
     A component of the Company's long-term strategy is its capital expenditure
program. The Company's capital expenditure program funds new stores, remodels,
advances in information technology, and other facilities, including plant and
distribution facilities and corporate headquarters. In the last several years,
Safeway management has significantly strengthened its program to select and
approve new capital investments, resulting in improved returns on investment.
 
     The table below reconciles cash paid for property additions reflected in
the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to Safeway's broader
definition of capital expenditures, excluding Vons, and also details changes in
the Company's store base during such period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997      1996      1995
                                                        ------    ------    ------
                                                          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash paid for property additions......................  $758.2    $541.8    $450.9
Less: Purchases of previously leased properties.......   (28.2)    (13.2)     (9.9)
Plus: Present value of all lease obligations
      incurred........................................    91.3      91.7      62.2
     Mortgage notes assumed in property
      acquisitions....................................     0.9        --        --
Vons first quarter expenditures.......................     7.2        --        --
                                                        ------    ------    ------
Total capital expenditures............................  $829.4    $620.3    $503.2
                                                        ======    ======    ======
Capital expenditures as a percent of sales............     3.7%      3.6%      3.1%
Vons stores acquired..................................     316        --        --
New stores opened.....................................      37        30        32
Stores closed or sold.................................      37        37        35
Remodels..............................................     181       141       108
Total retail square footage at year-end (in
  millions)...........................................    53.2      40.7      40.1
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
     Improved operations and lower project costs have raised the return on
capital projects, allowing Safeway to increase capital expenditures to $829
million in 1997 from $620 million in 1996 and $503 million in 1995. During the
first quarter of 1998, Safeway invested $105.5 million in capital expenditures
to, among other things, open three new stores and continue the construction of a
new distribution center in Maryland. Combined capital expenditures for Safeway
and Vons in fiscal 1998 are expected to increase to approximately $950 million
and will be used primarily to open 40 to 45 new stores, complete more than 200
remodels and finish construction of the Maryland distribution center.
 
ACQUISITIONS
 
     Management believes that the supermarket industry is fragmented and that
there may be opportunities to make acquisitions that would enhance Safeway's
long-term growth. Safeway's criteria for considering acquisition targets
include, but are not limited to, strong market share and the potential for
improving EBITDA margin. These criteria are subject to review and modification
from time to time. There can be no assurance that Safeway will complete any such
acquisition or that, if completed, the business acquired will make any
contribution to Safeway's long-term growth.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At March 28, 1998, Safeway had approximately 146,000 full and part-time
employees. Approximately 90% of Safeway's employees in the United States and
Canada are covered by collective bargaining agreements negotiated with local
unions affiliated with one of 12 different international unions. There are
approximately 400 such agreements, typically having three-to-five-year terms.
Accordingly, Safeway renegotiates a significant number of these agreements every
year.
 
     Safeway has concluded early negotiations and signed new labor contracts
covering employees whose collective bargaining agreements had been due to expire
in 1998. Certain of these contracts were with employees represented by the
United Food and Commercial Workers Union in northern California and Seattle and
Spokane, Washington. In addition, union members in British Columbia ratified a
new labor contract. Management considers the terms of these new contracts to be
satisfactory. As a result of these early negotiations, the only significant
remaining labor contracts to be negotiated in 1998 are in the Winnipeg operating
area covering approximately 40 stores and the Vons distribution centers in
southern California.
 
   
     In the last three years there have been four significant work stoppages.
During the second quarter of 1997, Safeway was engaged in a 75-day labor dispute
affecting 74 stores in the Alberta, Canada operating area. The Company continued
to operate the affected stores with a combination of replacement workers,
management and employees who returned to work. During the second and third
quarters of 1996, Safeway was engaged in a labor dispute in British Columbia
which lasted 40 days and affected 86 stores. Under Provincial law in British
Columbia, replacement workers could not be hired, and therefore all the affected
stores were closed throughout the strike-lockout. Separately, the Company was
engaged in a strike-lockout in the Denver operating area which lasted 44 days
also during the second and third quarters of 1996. All of the Denver stores
operated during the strike-lockout, largely with replacement workers. A nine-day
strike during the second quarter of 1995 affected 208 stores in northern
California. These work stoppages were resolved in a manner that management
considered generally satisfactory. Safeway estimates that the Alberta strike
reduced 1997 net income by approximately $0.04 per share, that the combined
impact of the disputes in Denver and British Columbia reduced 1996 earnings by
approximately $0.07 per share, and that the dispute in northern California
reduced 1995 earnings by an estimated $0.01 per share.
    
 
     The Company has performance-based compensation plans that cover
approximately 7,750 management employees. Performance-based compensation plans
set overall bonus levels based upon both operating results and working capital
management. Individual bonuses are based on job performance. Certain employees
are covered by capital investment bonus plans which measure the performance of
capital projects based on operating performance over several years.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     All of the shares of Common Stock being offered hereby are being sold by
certain stockholders of the Company included in the following table (the
"Selling Stockholders").
 
     The following table also sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Safeway's outstanding Common Stock as of March 28, 1998, and as
adjusted to give effect to the offerings, for (i) each of Safeway's directors,
(ii) each of the Selling Stockholders, (iii) the Company's Chief Executive
Officer, (iv) each of the Company's four other most highly compensated executive
officers and (v) each person believed by Safeway to own beneficially more than
5% of its outstanding shares of Common Stock. Except as indicated by the notes
to the following table, the holders listed below have sole voting power and
investment power over the shares beneficially held by them. The address of KKR
Associates, L.P., SSI Equity Associates and SSI Partners, L.P. is 9 West 57th
Street, New York, New York 10019.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             BEFORE OFFERINGS                               AFTER OFFERINGS
                                        ---------------------------                    --------------------------
                                         NUMBER OF                      NUMBER OF      NUMBER OF
                                         SHARES(1)    PERCENTAGE(1)   SHARES OFFERED   SHARES(1)    PERCENTAGE(1)
                                        -----------   -------------   --------------   ----------   -------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>          <C>
KKR Associates, L.P.(2)...............  104,529,450       21.8          21,701,424     82,828,026       17.2
  James H. Greene, Jr.(3).............      144,402          *                            144,402          *
  Henry R. Kravis(4)..................      --                                             --
  Robert I. MacDonnell(5).............       85,504          *                             85,504          *
  George R. Roberts(6)................      --                                             --
SSI Equity Associates, L.P.(7)........   28,297,940        5.6           3,298,576     19,008,533        3.8
Paul Hazen(8).........................      204,168          *                            204,168          *
Peter A. Magowan(8)...................    3,397,600          *                          3,397,600          *
William Y. Tauscher...................        4,467          *                              4,467          *
Steven A. Burd(9).....................    3,536,822          *                          3,536,822          *
Kenneth W. Oder(9)(10)................    1,912,144          *                          1,912,144          *
David G. Weed(9)......................      178,443          *                            178,443          *
Michael C. Ross(9)....................      774,275          *                            774,275          *
Gary D. Smith(9)......................      188,370          *                            188,370          *
FMR Corp.(11).........................   42,115,364        8.8                         42,115,364        8.7
American Express Company and American
  Express Financial Corporation(12)...   29,279,798        6.1                         29,279,798        6.1
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
* Less than 1%
 
 (1) For purposes of this table, a person or a group of persons is deemed to
     have "beneficial ownership" as of a given date of any shares which such
     person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. For
     purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each
     person or group of persons named above on a given date, any shares which
     such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such
     date are deemed to be outstanding, but are not deemed to be outstanding for
     the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
 
 (2) The shares are owned of record by two limited partnerships (the "Common
     Stock Partnerships"), the sole general partner of each of which is KKR
     Associates, L.P. ("KKR Associates"). KKR Associates, in its capacity as
     general partner, may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. Messrs.
     Greene, Kravis, MacDonnell, Roberts, Michael T. Tokarz, Edward A. Gilhuly,
     Perry Golkin, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, Clifton S. Robbins and
     Scott Stuart, as general partners of KKR Associates, may be deemed to share
     beneficial ownership of any shares beneficially owned by KKR Associates,
     but disclaim any such beneficial ownership. Messrs. Greene, Kravis,
     MacDonnell, and Roberts are members of Safeway's Board of Directors. See
     "Capitalization."
 
 (3) Represents shares owned jointly by Mr. Greene and his wife. Does not
     include 20,000 shares owned by Mrs. Greene, as to which Mr. Greene
     disclaims any beneficial ownership. Does not include 12,000 shares held
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
     in trust by Mrs. Greene for the benefit of their children, as to which Mr.
     Greene disclaims any beneficial ownership.
 
 (4) Does not include 800,000 shares held by Mr. Kravis as a trustee of an
     irrevocable trust created by Mr. Roberts for the benefit of his children
     (the "Roberts Trust"). As co-trustee, Mr. Kravis shares the authority to
     vote and dispose of the shares, but has no economic interest in such
     shares.
 
 (5) Does not include 120,000 shares held in an irrevocable trust created by Mr.
     MacDonnell for the benefit of his children (the "MacDonnell Trust") with
     respect to which Mr. MacDonnell disclaims any beneficial ownership.
 
 (6) Does not include 120,000 shares held by Mr. Roberts as a trustee of the
     MacDonnell Trust. As co-trustee, Mr. Roberts shares the authority to vote
     and to dispose of the shares, but has no economic interest in such shares.
     Does not include 800,000 shares held in the Roberts Trust with respect to
     which Mr. Roberts disclaims any beneficial ownership.
 
 (7) SSI Equity Associates is a Delaware limited partnership, the sole general
     partner of which is SSI Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. SSI
     Partners, L.P., in its capacity as general partner, may be deemed to own
     any shares beneficially owned by SSI Equity Associates, L.P. Messrs.
     Kravis, MacDonnell, Raether and Roberts, as general partners of SSI
     Partners, L.P., may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of any shares
     beneficially owned by SSI Partners, L.P., but disclaim any such beneficial
     ownership. Messrs. Kravis, MacDonnell and Roberts are members of Safeway's
     Board of Directors. All 28,297,940 shares shown as beneficially owned
     before the offerings represent shares of Common Stock issuable upon
     exercise of SSI Warrants. In connection with the offerings, SSI Equity
     Associates will sell to the Underwriters SSI Warrants to purchase 3,298,576
     shares of Common Stock which will be exercised and sold in the offerings.
     SSI Equity Associates also will transfer to Safeway for cancellation SSI
     Warrants to purchase 5,990,831 shares of Common Stock, such SSI Warrants
     representing the pro rata portion of the SSI Warrants that are attributable
     to the limited partnership interests held by Safeway. See "Capitalization."
     Following the offerings, SSI Equity Associates will hold SSI Warrants to
     purchase 19,008,533 shares of Common Stock (of which 12,258,791 shares will
     be attributable to limited partnership interests held by Safeway).
 
 (8) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of stock options as follows: Mr.
     Hazen, 162,500 and Mr. Magowan, 700,000.
 
 (9) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of stock options as follows: Mr.
     Burd, 3,082,262; Mr. Oder, 1,800,000; Mr. Weed, 160,000; Mr. Ross, 720,000
     and Mr. Smith, 152,400. Does not include shares issuable upon exercise of
     stock options which are not vested.
 
(10) Does not include 7,152 shares held by Mr. Oder as trustee of irrevocable
     trusts created by Mr. Burd for the benefit of his children. As trustee, Mr.
     Oder has the authority to vote and dispose of the shares, but has no
     economic interest in such shares.
 
(11) All information regarding FMR Corp. and its affiliates is based on
     information disclosed in the Schedule 13G filed by FMR Corp., Edward C.
     Johnson 3d and Abigail Johnson on February 14, 1998 (the "FMR Schedule
     13G"). According to the FMR Schedule 13G, (i) Fidelity Management &
     Research Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., is the beneficial
     owner of 37,842,974 of such shares as a result of acting as investment
     adviser to various investment companies, (ii) Fidelity Management Trust
     Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., is the beneficial owner of
     3,182,390 of such shares as a result of its serving as investment manager
     of institutional account(s), (iii) Fidelity International Limited is the
     beneficial owner of 1,090,000 of such shares as a result of its providing
     investment advisory and management services to a number of non-U.S.
     investment companies and certain institutional investors, (iv) FMR Corp.,
     Edward C. Johnson 3d and Abigail Johnson each has sole dispositive power
     over all of such shares and (v) FMR has sole voting power over 2,765,990 of
     such shares. The address of FMR Corp. is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston,
     Massachusetts 02109.
 
(12) All information regarding American Express Company and American Express
     Financial Corporation is based on information disclosed in a Schedule 13G
     filed by American Express Company and American Express Financial
     Corporation on January 30, 1998 (the "AMEX Schedule 13G"). According to the
     AMEX Schedule 13G, American Express Company disclaims beneficial ownership
     of the securities referred to in the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
     AMEX Schedule 13G. The address of American Express Company is American
     Express Tower, 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10285, and the address
     of American Express Financial Corporation is IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis,
     Minnesota 55440.
 
     Following the offerings, the Common Stock Partnerships will hold 82,828,026
shares of Common Stock, which will represent approximately 17.2% of the
outstanding Common Stock and 15.7% on a fully diluted basis. The Common Stock
Partnerships, KKR Associates, and their general partners will continue to be
able to exercise effective control over the Company through their representation
on the Board of Directors.
 
     SSI Associates, L.P. ("SSI Associates"), one of the Common Stock
Partnerships, made its investment in Safeway in 1986. The limited partnership
agreement pursuant to which SSI Associates was organized will, by its terms,
expire on December 31, 1998 unless amended by all of the limited partners to
extend the term beyond such date. There can be no assurance that KKR Associates,
the general partner of SSI Associates, will seek such amendments, or, if sought,
that such amendments will be approved by the limited partners. If such
partnership agreement expires, the limited partnership will dissolve. In the
event of the dissolution and winding up of SSI Associates, KKR Associates will
have sole discretion regarding the timing (which may be one or more years after
the expiration of the partnership agreement) and manner of the disposition of
any Common Stock held by such partnership, including public or private sales of
such Common Stock, the distribution of such Common Stock to the limited partners
of SSI Associates, or a combination of the foregoing. KKR Associates will own
directly approximately 43 million of the 82.8 million shares owned by the Common
Stock Partnerships, following the offerings. Such partnership is not subject to
the termination provisions applicable to SSI Associates.
 
     In connection with the offerings, SSI Equity Associates will sell to the
Underwriters SSI Warrants to purchase 3,298,576 shares of Common Stock which
will be exercised and sold in the offerings. SSI Equity Associates also will
transfer to Safeway for cancellation SSI Warrants to purchase 5,990,831 shares
of Common Stock, such SSI Warrants representing the pro rata portion of the SSI
Warrants that are attributable to the limited partnership interests held by
Safeway. See "Capitalization." Following the offerings, SSI Equity Associates
will hold SSI Warrants to purchase 19,008,533 shares of Common Stock (of which
12,258,791 shares will be attributable to limited partnership interests held by
Safeway).
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed not to (i) offer,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock or (ii) with respect to the Company only, enter into any swap or
other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the
economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, except for (i)
the shares to be sold in the offerings and the SSI Warrants to be canceled, (ii)
any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to stock option plans
in effect on the date of this Prospectus, (iii) option grants under stock option
plans in effect on the date of this Prospectus, (iv) any agreement of the
Company in connection with an acquisition of assets or properties or any capital
stock issuable pursuant to the terms of such an agreement, (v) capital stock
issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus or (vi) the cancellation of warrants for a period of at least 90 days
from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters. If any such consent is
given it would not necessarily be preceded or followed by a public announcement
thereof.
 
     The Company, the Common Stock Partnerships, SSI Equity Associates and
certain other parties entered into an agreement dated as of November 25, 1986
(the "Registration Agreement"), a copy of which is incorporated by reference as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part,
pursuant to which the Company agreed to register the offer and sale of shares of
Common Stock held by such parties, including the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby, under the Securities Act, and such parties and the Company agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act in connection with the sale of the shares pursuant to the
Registration Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Agreement, the Common Stock
Partnerships and SSI Equity Associates are required to pay the underwriting
discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, associated with the
offerings, and the Company is required to pay substantially all expenses
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
directly associated with the offerings, including, without limitation, the cost
of registering the shares offered hereby, including the applicable registration
and filing fees, printing expenses, certain underwriting expenses and applicable
expenses for legal counsel and accountants incurred by the Company or the Common
Stock Partnerships and SSI Equity Associates.
 
     No predictions can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of
shares, or the availability of shares for future sales, will have on the market
price of the Common Stock prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial
amounts of Common Stock (including shares issued upon the exercise of stock
options or warrants), or the perception that such sales could occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     Pursuant to Safeway's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
(the "Restated Certificate"), the authorized capital stock of Safeway consists
of 1,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and
25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. At March 28,
1998, Safeway had outstanding 479,038,274 shares of Common Stock and no
outstanding shares of preferred stock. All shares of Common Stock are fully paid
and nonassessable. As of March 28, 1998, there were approximately 9,237 holders
of record of Common Stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share owned of
record on all matters voted upon by stockholders, and a majority vote is
required for all action to be taken by stockholders. In the event of a
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Safeway, the holders of Common Stock
are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of Safeway, if any,
remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of Safeway and the
liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. The Common Stock has
no preemptive rights, no cumulative voting rights and no redemption, sinking
fund or conversion provisions.
 
     The Restated Certificate provides for a classified Board of Directors
consisting of three classes as nearly equal in size as practicable. Each class
will hold office until the third annual meeting for election of directors
following the election of such class.
 
     Safeway's By-laws provide for additional notice requirements for
stockholder nominations and proposals at annual or special meetings of Safeway.
At annual meetings, stockholders may submit nominations for directors or other
proposals only upon written notice to Safeway at least 50 days prior to the
annual meeting.
 
     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The transfer
agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Chicago Trust Company of New
York.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Board of Directors of Safeway is authorized without further stockholder
action, to divide any or all shares of the authorized preferred stock into
series and to fix and determine the designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereon, of any series so established, including voting powers,
dividend rights, liquidation preferences, redemption rights and conversion
privileges. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Board of Directors has not
authorized any series of preferred stock and there are no plans, agreements or
understandings for the issuance of any shares of preferred stock.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor,
subject to the dividend and liquidation rights of any preferred stock that may
be issued and subject to certain limitations in the Bank Credit Agreement. See
"Dividend Policy."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
                     CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES
                          TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
GENERAL
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common
Stock by a holder who is not a United States person or entity (a "Non-U.S.
Holder"). As used in this discussion, the term "Non-U.S. Holder" means any
person or entity that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, a
foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident fiduciary
of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership. An individual may,
subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident alien (as opposed to a
non-resident alien) by virtue of being present in the United States on at least
31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a
three-year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such
purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days
present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in
the second preceding year). Resident aliens are subject to United States federal
tax as if they were United States citizens and residents.
 
     This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal
income and estate taxes or consider any specific facts or circumstances that may
apply to a particular Non-U.S. Holder. Nor does it deal with foreign, state and
local consequences that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders. Furthermore, this
discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed regulations promulgated
thereunder and public administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all
of which are subject to changes which could be applied retroactively. EACH
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF COMMON STOCK IS ADVISED TO CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH
RESPECT TO CURRENT AND POSSIBLE FUTURE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING
AND DISPOSING OF COMMON STOCK.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company does not currently intend to pay cash dividends on shares of
Common Stock. See "Dividend Policy". In the event that such dividends are paid
on shares of Common Stock, except as described below, dividends paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock will be subject to withholding of United States
federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United
States. If the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States and, if a tax treaty
applies, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the Non-
U.S. Holder, the dividends will be subject to United States federal income tax
on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates and
will be exempt from the 30% withholding tax described above (assuming the
necessary certification and disclosure requirements are met). Any such
effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may, under
certain circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30%
rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
     Dividends paid to an address outside the United States are presumed to be
paid to a resident of such country for purposes of the withholding discussed
above (unless the payor has knowledge to the contrary), and, under currently
applicable United States Treasury regulations, for purposes of determining the
applicability of a tax treaty rate. Under recently promulgated United States
Treasury regulations generally effective with respect to payments made after
December 31, 1999, however, a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock who wishes to
claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate (and avoid backup withholding as
discussed below) will be required to satisfy specified certification and other
requirements, which will include filing a Form W-8 containing the Non-U.S.
Holder's name, address and a certification that such Holder is eligible for the
benefits of the treaty under its Limitations in Benefits Article. In addition,
certain certification and disclosure requirements must be met to be exempt from
withholding under the effectively connected income exemption discussed above.
 
     A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock who is eligible for a reduced rate of
United States withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty may obtain a refund of
any excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate, timely claim for
refund with the United States Internal Revenue Service (the "Service").
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal
income tax on any gain recognized on a disposition of a share of Common Stock
unless (i) subject to the exception discussed below, the Company is or has been
a "United States real property holding corporation" (a "USRPHC") within the
meaning of section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time within the shorter of the
five-year period preceding such disposition or such Non-U.S. Holder's holding
period (the "Required Holding Period"), (ii) the gain is effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States of the Non-U.S.
Holder and, if a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent
establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder, (iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is an
individual who holds the share of Common Stock as a capital asset and is present
in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition
and either (a) such individual has a "tax home" (as defined for United States
federal income tax purposes) in the United States or (b) the gain is
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained in the
United States by such individual, or (iv) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax
pursuant to the Code provisions applicable to certain United States expatriates.
If an individual Non-U.S. Holder falls under clause (ii) or (iv) above, he or
she will be taxed on his or her net gain derived from the sale under regular
United States federal income tax rates. If the individual Non-U.S. Holder falls
under clause (iii) above, he or she will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the
gain derived from the sale which may be offset by United States source capital
losses (notwithstanding the fact that he or she is not considered a resident of
the United States). If a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation falls
under clause (ii) above, it will be taxed on its gain under regular graduated
United States federal income tax rates and, in addition, will under certain
circumstances be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its
"effectively connected earnings and profits" within the meaning of the Code for
the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless it qualifies for a lower
rate under an applicable income tax treaty.
 
     A corporation is generally a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United
States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair
market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used
or held for use in a trade or business. The Company believes that it is not
currently a USRPHC. However, a Non-U.S. Holder would generally not be subject to
tax, or withholding in respect of such tax, on gain from a sale or other
disposition of Common Stock by reason of the Company's USRPHC status if the
Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market ("regularly
traded") during the calendar year in which such sale or disposition occurs,
provided that such holder does not own, actually or constructively, Common Stock
with a fair market value in excess of 5% of the fair market value of all Common
Stock outstanding at any time during the Required Holding Period. The Company
believes that the Common Stock will be treated as regularly traded.
 
     If the Company is or has been a USRPHC within the Required Holding Period,
and if a Non-U.S. Holder owns in excess of 5% of the fair market value of Common
Stock (as described in the preceding paragraph), such Non-U.S. Holder of Common
Stock will be subject to United States federal income tax at regular graduated
rates under certain rules ("FIRPTA tax") on gain recognized on a sale or other
disposition of such Common Stock. In addition, if the Company is or has been a
USRPHC within the Required Holding Period and if the Common Stock were not
treated as regularly traded, a Non-U.S. Holder (without regard to its ownership
percentage) would be subject to withholding in respect of FIRPTA tax at a rate
of 10% of the amount realized on a sale or other disposition of Common Stock and
could be further subject to FIRPTA tax in excess of the amounts withheld. Any
amount withheld pursuant to such withholding tax would be creditable against
such Non-U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability. Non-U.S.
Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the potential
applicability of these provisions.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     An individual Non-U.S. Holder who (i) is not a citizen or resident of the
United States (as specifically defined for United States estate tax purposes) at
the time of his or her death and (ii) owns, or is treated as owning Common Stock
at the time of his or her death, or has made certain lifetime transfers of an
interest in Common Stock, will be required to include the value of such Common
Stock in his or her gross estate for federal estate tax purposes, unless an
applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
UNITED STATES INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     The Company must report annually to the Service and to each Non-U.S. Holder
the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to
such dividends. These information reporting requirements apply regardless of
whether withholding is required. Copies of the information returns reporting
such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities
in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an
applicable income tax treaty or other agreement with the tax authorities in that
country.
 
     United States backup withholding tax (which, in general, is a withholding
tax imposed at the rate of 31% on certain payments to persons that fail to
furnish certain information under the United States information reporting
requirements) generally will not apply to (a) the payment of dividends paid on
Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder at an address outside the United States
(unless the payor has knowledge that the payee is a United States person) or (b)
the payment of the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock to or through the
foreign office of a broker. In the case of the payment of proceeds from such a
sale of Common Stock through a foreign office of a broker that is a United
States person or a "U.S. related person", however, information reporting (but
not backup withholding) is required with respect to the payment unless the
broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a Non-U.S. Holder
(and has no actual knowledge to the contrary) and certain other requirements are
met or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. For this purpose, a "U.S.
related person" is (i) a "controlled foreign corporation" for United States
federal income tax purposes under current regulations, or (ii) a foreign person
50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-year period
ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment (or for such
part of the period that the broker has been in existence) is derived from
activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States
trade or business. The payment of the proceeds of a sale of shares of Common
Stock to or through a United States office of a broker is subject to information
reporting and possible backup withholding unless the owner certifies its
non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an
exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a
payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against
such Non-U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability, provided that
the required information is furnished to the Service.
 
     The Treasury Department recently promulgated final regulations regarding
the withholding and information reporting rules discussed above. In general, the
final regulations do not significantly alter the substantive withholding and
information reporting requirements but rather unify current certification
procedures and forms and clarify reliance standards. In addition, the final
regulations permit the shifting of primary responsibility for withholding to
certain financial intermediaries acting on behalf of beneficial owners. The
final regulations are generally effective for payments made after December 31,
1999, subject to certain transition rules. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their
own tax advisors with respect to the impact, if any, of the final regulations.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
                                  UNDERWRITERS
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the U.S.
Underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase, directly or through
the exercise of SSI Warrants, and the Selling Stockholders have severally agreed
to sell to them, and the International Underwriters named below have severally
agreed to purchase, directly or through the exercise of SSI Warrants, and the
Selling Stockholders have severally agreed to sell to them, the respective
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock set forth opposite the names of
such Underwriters below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER
                            NAME                              OF SHARES
                            ----                              ---------
<S>                                                           <C>
U.S. Underwriters
  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.........................
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. .....................................
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated........
  Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.......
  ING Baring Furman Selz LLC................................
  Lehman Brothers Inc. .....................................
  J.P. Morgan Securities Inc................................
  Smith Barney Inc. ........................................
  Warburg Dillon Read LLC...................................
                                                              ---------
          Subtotal..........................................
                                                              ---------
International Underwriters
  Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited................
  Goldman Sachs International...............................
  Merrill Lynch International...............................
  Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International................
  ING Baring Furman Selz LLC................................
  Lehman Brothers International (Europe)....................
  J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. ..............................
  Smith Barney Inc. ........................................
  UBS AG, acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read...
                                                              ---------
          Subtotal..........................................
                                                              ---------
          Total.............................................
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters are collectively
referred to as the "Underwriters." The Underwriting Agreement provides that the
obligations of the several Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain
legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters
are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of Common Stock (directly or
through the purchase and exercise of SSI Warrants) offered hereby (other than
those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any such shares
are taken. With respect to shares of Common Stock obtained upon the purchase and
exercise of SSI Warrants, the Underwriters will remit the exercise price of the
SSI Warrants to the Company.
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions, (i)
it is not purchasing any Shares for the account of anyone other than a United
States or Canadian Person (as defined below) and (ii) it has not offered or
sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Shares or
distribute any prospectus relating to the Shares outside the United States or
Canada or to anyone other than a United States or Canadian Person. Pursuant to
the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each International
Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions, (i) it is
not purchasing any Shares for the account of any United States or Canadian
Person and (ii) it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly
or indirectly, any Shares or distribute any prospectus
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
   
relating to the Shares within the United States or Canada or to any United
States or Canadian Person. With respect to ING Baring Furman Selz LLC and Smith
Barney Inc., the foregoing representations and agreements (i) made by it in its
capacity as a U.S. Underwriter shall apply only to shares of Common Stock
purchased by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter, (ii) made by it in its
capacity as an International Underwriter shall apply only to shares of Common
Stock purchased by it in its capacity as an International Underwriter and (iii)
shall not restrict its ability to distribute any prospectus relating to the
shares of Common Stock to any person. The foregoing limitations do not apply to
stabilization transactions or to certain other transactions specified in the
Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters. As used herein, "United
States or Canadian Person" means any national or resident of the United States
or Canada, or any corporation, pension, profit-sharing or other trust or other
entity organized under the laws of the United States or Canada or any political
subdivision thereof (other than a branch located outside the United States and
Canada of any United States or Canadian Person), and includes any United States
or Canadian branch of a person who is otherwise not a United States or Canadian
Person. All shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Underwriters are
referred to herein as the "Shares."
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters,
sales may be made between the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Underwriters of any number of Shares as may be mutually agreed. The per share
price and currency of any Shares so sold shall be the public offering price set
forth on the cover page hereof, in United States dollars, less an amount not
greater than the per share amount of the concession to dealers set forth below.
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented that it has not offered or sold, and has agreed
not to offer or sell, any Shares, directly or indirectly, in any province or
territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province
or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities law thereof and has
represented that any offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only
pursuant to an exemption from the requirements to file a prospectus in the
province or territory of Canada in which such offer or sale is made. Each U.S.
Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases from it any
Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such Shares, such
dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer
or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such Shares in any province or territory
of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province or
territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and that any
offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only pursuant to an exemption
from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada
in which such offer or sale is made, and that such dealer will deliver to any
other dealer to whom it sells any of such Shares a notice containing
substantially the same statement as is contained in this sentence.
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that: (i) it has not
offered or sold and, prior to the date six months after the closing date for the
sale of the Shares to the International Underwriters, will not offer or sell any
Shares to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary
activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of
investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or
otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an
offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public
Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 (the "U.K. Regulations"); (ii) it has
complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial
Services Act 1986 and the U.K. Regulations with respect to anything done by it
in relation to the Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;
and (iii) it has only issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the
United Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the offering of
the Shares to a person who is of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the
Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996
or is a person to whom the document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed
on.
    
 
   
     The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Common
Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price which represents a concession
not in excess of $     per share under the public offering price. The
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $          a share to other Underwriters or to certain dealers. After the
initial offerings of the shares of Common Stock, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
   
     The Selling Stockholders have granted to the U.S. Underwriters an option,
exercisable for 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an
aggregate of 3,750,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering
price set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting discounts and
commissions. The U.S. Underwriters may exercise such option to purchase solely
for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the
offering of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. To the extent such option
is exercised, each U.S. Underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional
shares of Common Stock as the number set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's
name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock
set forth next to the names of all U.S. Underwriters in the preceding table.
    
 
   
     In order to facilitate the offerings of the Common Stock, the Underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the Common Stock. Specifically, the Underwriters may over-allot in
connection with the offerings, creating a short position in the Common Stock for
their own account. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the
price of the Common Stock, the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of
Common Stock in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim
selling concessions allowed to an Underwriter or a dealer for distributing the
Common Stock in the offerings, if the syndicate repurchases previously
distributed Common Stock in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in
stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize
or maintain the market price of the Common Stock above independent market
levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may
end any of these activities at any time.
    
 
     The SSI Warrants being purchased by the several Underwriters from SSI
Equity Associates will be purchased at a price per underlying share equal to the
Price to Public less the exercise price of each such SSI Warrant and the
underwriting discount per underlying share. The Underwriters will immediately
exercise such SSI Warrants by paying the Company the aggregate exercise price of
the SSI Warrants, and will include in the offering the 3,298,576 shares of
Common Stock issuable as a result of such exercise.
 
     The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters have agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed not to (i) offer,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock or (ii) with respect to the Company only, enter into any swap or
other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the
economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, except for (i)
the shares to be sold in the offerings and the SSI Warrants to be cancelled,
(ii) any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to stock option
plans in effect on the date of this Prospectus, (iii) option grants under stock
option plans in effect on the date of this Prospectus, (iv) any agreement of the
Company in connection with an acquisition of assets or properties or any capital
stock issuable pursuant to the terms of such an agreement, (v) capital stock
issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus or (vi) the cancellation of warrants for a period of at least 90 days
from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, on behalf of the Underwriters. If any such consent
is given it would not necessarily be preceded or followed by a public
announcement thereof.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the sale of the shares of Common
Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for Safeway and the Selling
Stockholders by Latham & Watkins, San Francisco, California and Michael C. Ross,
General Counsel of Safeway, and for the Underwriters by Brown & Wood LLP, San
Francisco, California. Certain partners of Latham & Watkins, members of their
families, related persons and others, have an indirect interest, through limited
partnerships, in less than 1% of the Company's Common Stock. Such persons do not
have the power to vote or dispose of such shares of Common Stock. Michael C.
Ross holds Common Stock and options to purchase Common Stock which in the
aggregate constitute less than 1% of the Company's Common Stock.
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of January 3, 1998
and December 28, 1996 and for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended
January 3, 1998, included herein have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated by
reference herein, and have been so included in reliance upon the report of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
 
          (1) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     January 3, 1998, as amended by a Form 10-K/A filed April 10, 1998 (the
     "Form 10-K");
 
          (2) the portions of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders
     that have been incorporated by reference into the Form 10-K;
 
          (3) the portions of the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
     dated March 27, 1998 that have been incorporated by reference into the Form
     10-K;
 
          (4) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
     period ended March 28, 1998;
 
          (5) the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission
     on February 25, 1998;
 
          (6) description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
     February 20, 1990, including the amendment on Form 8 dated March 26, 1990;
     and
 
          (7) all other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
     Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of
     this Prospectus and before the termination of the offering of all
     securities to which this Prospectus relates shall be deemed to be a part
     hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
 
     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon request, a copy of
any documents incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (other than
exhibits incorporated by reference into such document). Requests for documents
should be submitted to Investor Relations, Safeway Inc., 5918 Stoneridge Mall
Road, Pleasanton, California 94588 (telephone 925/467-3790). The information
relating to the Company contained in this Prospectus does not purport to be
comprehensive and should be read together with the information contained in the
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
                                      LOGO
<PAGE>   35
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
 
Issued July 7, 1998
 
                               25,000,000 Shares
 
                                  Safeway Inc.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
       LOGO
 
                            ------------------------
 
  Of the 25,000,000 Shares of Common Stock offered, 5,000,000 Shares are being
  offered initially outside the United States and Canada by the International
  Underwriters and 20,000,000 Shares are being offered initially in the United
   States and Canada by the U.S. Underwriters. See "Underwriters." All of the
  Shares of Common Stock offered are being sold by the Selling Stockholders as
    described herein under "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and include
   21,701,424 presently outstanding Shares and 3,298,576 Shares to be issued
   concurrently with the consummation of these offerings upon the exercise of
 outstanding warrants. None of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be
received by the Company other than $1,649,288 (assuming no exercise of the U.S.
  Underwriters' over-allotment option) representing the exercise price of the
 warrants. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
  under the symbol "SWY." On July 6, 1998, the reported last sale price of the
    Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape was $42 3/4.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
                            PRICE $          A SHARE
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   UNDERWRITING
                                           PRICE TO                DISCOUNTS AND          PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                            PUBLIC                COMMISSIONS(1)            STOCKHOLDERS(2)
                                           --------               --------------          -------------------
<S>                                <C>                       <C>                       <C>
Per Share........................              $                         $                         $
Total(3).........................              $                         $                         $
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
    (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
        Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
        the Securities Act of 1933. See "Underwriters."
 
    (2) Includes $1,649,288 to be paid to the Company representing the exercise
        price of warrants for 3,298,576 Shares at $0.50 per share. Expenses of
        the offerings, estimated at $        , will be paid by the Company.
 
    (3) The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters an option,
        exercisable within 30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an
        aggregate of 3,750,000 additional Shares at the price to public, less
        underwriting discounts and commissions, for the purpose of covering
        over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise such option
        in full, the total price to public, underwriting discounts and
        commissions and proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $        ,
        $        and $        , respectively, and the total amount to be paid to
        the Company representing the exercise price of warrants will be
        $        . See "Underwriters."
                            ------------------------
 
     The Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters named herein, and subject to approval of certain legal matters
by Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that the
delivery of the Shares will be made on or about July   , 1998, at the office of
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in
immediately available funds.
                            ------------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                         GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
                                             MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
 
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                  International
            ING BARINGS
                        LEHMAN BROTHERS
                                    J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.
                                                SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
INTERNATIONAL
                                                             WARBURG DILLON READ
 
July   , 1998
<PAGE>   36
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The expenses to be paid by the Company in connection with the distribution
of the securities being registered are as set forth in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Fee......................  $349,597
*Legal Fees and Expenses (other than Blue Sky)..............   250,000
*Accounting Fees and Expenses...............................    50,000
*Printing Expenses..........................................    50,000
*Blue Sky Fees..............................................    15,000
*Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses.............    10,000
*Miscellaneous..............................................    75,403
                                                              --------
          *Total............................................  $800,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director of the Company
will not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i)
for breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (governing distributions to stockholders), or (iv) for any
transaction for which a director derives an improper personal benefit. In
addition, Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation law and Article III,
Section 13 of the Company's By-Laws, under certain circumstances, provide for
the indemnification of the Company's officers, directors, employees and agents
against liabilities which they may incur in such capacities. A summary of the
circumstances in which such indemnification is provided for is contained herein,
but that description is qualified in its entirety by reference to Article III,
Section 13 of the Company's By-Laws.
 
     In general, any officer, director, employee or agent will be indemnified
against expenses, including attorney's fees, fines, settlements or judgments,
which were actually and reasonably incurred, in connection with a legal
proceeding, other than one brought by or on behalf of the Company, to which he
was a party as a result of such relationship, if he acted in good faith, and in
the manner he believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's best interest
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe his conduct was unlawful. If the action is brought by or on behalf of
the Company, the person to be indemnified must have acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's best
interest, but no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware, or
the court in which such action was brought, determines upon application that,
despite adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the
case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expense which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
     Any indemnification under the previous paragraphs (unless ordered by a
court) will be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon
a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent
is proper under the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth above. Such determination will be made (i) by the Company's
board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors who
were not parties to such actions, (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable or, even
if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders. To the extent
that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company is successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
the previous paragraph, he will be
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   37
 
indemnified against expenses (including attorney's fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
     Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Company in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Company as authorized by the Company's By-Laws. Such expenses incurred by other
employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as
the Company's board of directors deems appropriate.
 
     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, Section 13 of the Company's By-Laws is not deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. If a claim for
indemnification or payment of expenses under Section 13 of the Company's By-Laws
is not paid in full within ninety (90) days after a written claim therefor has
been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid
amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled
to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the
Company has the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the
requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
 
     The Company's board of directors may authorize, by a vote of a majority of
a quorum of the Company's board of directors, the Company to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the
Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of
his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
him against such liability under the provisions of Section 13 of the Company's
By-Laws. The Company's board of directors may authorize the Company to enter
into a contract with any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise providing for indemnification rights
equivalent to or, if the Company's board of directors so determines, greater
than those provided for in Section 13 of the Company's By-Laws.
 
     The Company has also purchased insurance for its directors and officers for
certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them in their
capacities as directors and officers of the Company.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
    <C>     <S>
      1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.
      4.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and
            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
            Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
            for the quarterly period ended June 15, 1996).
      4.2   Form of By-laws of the Company as amended (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No.
            33-33388), and Amendment to the Company's By-laws effective
            March 8, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
            the Company's Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended January 2,
            1993).
      4.3   Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference
            to Exhibit 4(i).1 to Registration Statement No. 33-33388).
      4.4   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 25, 1986
            by and between Safeway Stores Holdings Corporation
            (predecessor to the Company) and certain limited
            partnerships (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i).4 to
            Registration Statement No. 33-33388).
     *5     Opinion of Latham & Watkins.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   38
   
<TABLE>
    <C>     <S>
     23.1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
    *23.2   Consent of Latham & Watkins (included in Exhibit 5).
    *24     Power of Attorney.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed.
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
     (c) The undersigned registrant hereby also undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   39
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pleasanton, California on July 8,
1998.
    
 
                                       SAFEWAY INC.
 
                                       By        /s/ MICHAEL C. ROSS
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                     Michael C. Ross
                                            Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                                   and General Counsel
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by each of the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                          TITLE                        DATE
                      ---------                                          -----                        ----
<C>                                                      <S>                                      <C>
 
                   *STEVEN A. BURD                       President, Chief Executive Officer       July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    and Director (Principal Executive
                   Steven A. Burd                        Officer)
 
                     *DAVID WEED                         Executive Vice President, Chief          July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Financial Officer (Principal
                     David Weed                          Financial Officer and Principal
                                                         Accounting Officer)
 
                  *PETER A. MAGOWAN                      Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Peter A. Magowan
 
                *WILLIAM Y. TAUSCHER                     Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 William Y. Tauscher
 
                *JAMES H. GREENE. JR                     Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                James H. Greene, Jr.
 
                     *PAUL HAZEN                         Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                     Paul Hazen
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   40
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                          TITLE                        DATE
                      ---------                                          -----                        ----
<C>                                                      <S>                                      <C>
                  *HENRY R. KRAVIS                       Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Henry R. Kravis
 
                *ROBERT I. MACDONNELL                    Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Robert I. MacDonnell
 
                 *GEORGE R. ROBERTS                      Director                                 July 8, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  George R. Roberts
 
              *By: /s/ MICHAEL C. ROSS                                                            July 8, 1998
  ------------------------------------------------
                   Michael C. Ross
                 as attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   41
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                    NUMBERED
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION                               PAGE
- -------                            -----------                           ------------
<C>        <S>                                                           <C>
  1        Form of Underwriting Agreement..............................
  4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and
           Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
           Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
           for the quarterly period ended June 15, 1996)...............
  4.2      Form of By-laws of the Company as amended (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No.
           33-33388), and Amendment to the Company's By-laws effective
           March 8, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
           the Company's Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended January 2,
           1993).......................................................
  4.3      Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 4(i).1 to Registration Statement No. 33-33388)...
  4.4      Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 25, 1986
           by and between Safeway Stores Holdings Corporation
           (predecessor to the Company) and certain limited
           partnerships (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i).4 to
           Registration Statement No. 33-33388)........................
 *5        Opinion of Latham & Watkins.................................
 23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP............................
*23.2      Consent of Latham & Watkins (included in Exhibit 5).........
*24        Power of Attorney...........................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1








                                25,000,000 Shares
                                  SAFEWAY INC.
                     Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT









July -, 1998




<PAGE>   2

                                  July -, 1998




Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC
Lehman Brothers Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Smith Barney Inc.
Warburg Dillon Read LLC
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
    1585 Broadway
    New York, New York  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Merrill Lynch International
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC
Lehman Brothers International (Europe)
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.
Smith Barney Inc.
UBS AG, acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
    25 Cabot Square
    Canary Wharf
    London E14 4QA
    England


Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

        Certain stockholders and warrantholders of Safeway Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), named in Schedule I hereto (the "Selling
Stockholders") severally propose to sell to the several Underwriters (as defined
below) 21,701,424 shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Company (the "Firm Shares") and warrants (the "Firm Warrants") for the purchase
of an aggregate of 3,298,576 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Firm Warrant Shares").

        It is understood and agreed to by all parties that, subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, 



<PAGE>   3

17,361,139 Firm Shares (the "U.S. Firm Shares") and Firm Warrants (the "U.S.
Firm Warrants") to purchase 2,638,861 Firm Warrant Shares (the "U.S. Firm
Warrant Shares") will be sold to the several U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule
II hereto (the "U.S. Underwriters") in connection with the offering and sale of
such U.S. Firm Shares and U.S. Firm Warrant Shares in the United States and
Canada to United States and Canadian Persons (as such terms are defined in the
Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters of even date herewith),
and 4,340,285 Firm Shares (the "International Shares") and Firm Warrants (the
"International Warrants") to purchase 659,715 Firm Warrant Shares (the
"International Warrant Shares") will be sold to the several International
Underwriters named in Schedule III hereto (the "International Underwriters") in
connection with the offering and sale of such International Shares and
International Warrant Shares outside the United States and Canada to persons
other than United States and Canadian Persons. Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, ING Baring
Furman Selz LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Smith Barney
Inc. and Warburg Dillon Read LLC shall act as representatives (the "U.S.
Representatives") of the several U.S. Underwriters, and Morgan Stanley & Co.
International Limited, Goldman Sachs International, Merrill Lynch International,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, ING Baring Furman Selz LLC, Lehman
Brothers International (Europe), J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd., Smith Barney Inc.
and UBS AG, acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read, shall act as
representatives (the "International Representatives") of the several
International Underwriters. The U.S. Underwriters and the International
Underwriters are hereinafter referred to as the Underwriters.

        The Selling Stockholders also severally propose to sell to the several
U.S. Underwriters an aggregate of not more than an additional 3,255,214 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Additional
Shares") and warrants (the "Additional Warrants") for the purchase of an
aggregate of not more than an additional 494,786 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Additional Warrant Shares"), each
Selling Stockholder selling up to the amount set forth opposite such Selling
Stockholder's name in Schedule I hereto, if and to the extent that the U.S.
Representatives shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the U.S.
Underwriters, the right to purchase such Additional Shares and such Additional
Warrants granted to the U.S. Underwriters in Section 3 hereof.

        The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the Shares, the Firm Warrants and the Additional Warrants are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the Warrants and the Firm Warrant Shares
and the Additional Warrant Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as
the Warrant Shares. The Shares and the Warrant Shares are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the Securities. The shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to
the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the Common Stock.

        The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the
Securities. The registration statement contains two forms of prospectuses to be
used in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities: the U.S.
prospectus, to be used in connection with the offering and sale of Securities in
the United States and Canada to United States and Canadian Persons, and the
international prospectus, to be used in connection with the offering and sale of
Securities outside the United States and Canada to persons other than United
States and Canadian Persons. The international prospectus is identical to the
U.S. prospectus except for the outside front cover page. The registration
statement as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information
(if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of
effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration
Statement." If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to
register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act (the "Rule 462 



                                       2
<PAGE>   4

Registration Statement"), then any reference herein to the term "Registration
Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. The
U.S. prospectus and the international prospectus in the respective forms first
used to confirm sales of the Securities are hereinafter collectively referred to
as the Prospectus. All references herein to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus include the documents incorporated therein by reference.

        1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents
and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

               (a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop
        order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in
        effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or
        threatened by the Commission.

               (b) (i) Each part of the Registration Statement, when such part
        became effective, did not contain and each such part, as amended or
        supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a
        material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
        therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii)
        the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or
        supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects with
        the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
        Commission thereunder and (iii) the Prospectus does not contain and, as
        amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue
        statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
        to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
        which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations
        and warranties set forth in this paragraph 1(b) do not apply to
        statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
        based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the
        Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use
        therein.

               (c) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the Registration
        Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or
        filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so
        filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and applicable
        rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and no order
        preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus has been
        issued by the Commission.

               (d) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus,
        when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the
        case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of
        the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
        (the "Exchange Act"), as applicable, and the rules and regulations of
        the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an
        untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
        therein not misleading; and any further documents so filed and
        incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any further amendment or
        supplement thereto, when such documents become effective or are filed
        with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material
        respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act,
        as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
        thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
        or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
        necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

               (e) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing
        as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
        Delaware, has the corporate power and authority to



                                        3

<PAGE>   5

        own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
        Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good
        standing in the State of California and in each other jurisdiction in
        which such qualification is required, except to the extent that the
        failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a
        material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
        whole.

               (f) Each subsidiary, if any, of the Company which is a
        "significant subsidiary" as defined in Rule 405 of Regulation C of the
        Securities Act has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a
        corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
        incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property
        and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly
        qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
        jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or
        leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent
        that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not
        have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
        taken as a whole.

               (g) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
        performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement
        (including, without limitation, the purchase and exercise by the
        Underwriters of the Warrants) will not result in any violation of the
        Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company or
        any agreement or other instrument (including, without limitation, the
        Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of November 28, 1986 between the
        Company and SSI Equity Associates, L.P. (the "Warrant Purchase
        Agreement")) binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is
        material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any
        statute or any order, rule or regulation of any governmental body,
        agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any
        subsidiaries, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
        qualification with, any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction
        over the Company is required for the performance by the Company of its
        obligations under this Agreement, except such as may be required under
        the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Exchange Act
        and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the securities or Blue Sky
        laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the
        Securities.

               (h) The accountants who have audited certain financial statements
        included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are
        independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the
        rules and regulations thereunder.

               (i) The financial statements (together with the related notes
        thereto) included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
        present fairly the financial position of the Company and its
        consolidated subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the
        results of their operations for the periods specified, except as
        otherwise disclosed therein; and except as otherwise stated therein or
        in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, said financial
        statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
        accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent
        basis.

               (j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by the Company.

               (k) The Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued
        and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the
        Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the
        issuance of such shares will not be subject to any preemptive rights.



                                        4

<PAGE>   6

               (l) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to
        legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

               (m) The shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold
        by the Selling Stockholders hereunder) and the Warrants have been duly
        authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;
        none of such Shares or Warrants, when delivered to the Underwriters,
        will be subject to any preemptive rights; the Shares, and Warrant Shares
        conform as to legal matters to the description of the Stock contained in
        the Prospectus and the Warrants conform as to legal matters to the
        description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

               (n) The Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding obligations of
        the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms.

               (o) Upon the Underwriters' purchase of the Warrants and payment
        to the Company of the Warrant Exercise Price (as defined herein), all of
        the requirements (whether under the Warrant Purchase Agreement or
        otherwise) with respect to the Underwriters' exercise of the Warrants
        for Warrant Shares will be satisfied, and the Company will be
        unconditionally obligated to immediately issue duly and validly
        authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common
        Stock in respect thereof.

               (p) The Company is not an "investment company" as such term is
        defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

               (q) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
        development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the
        condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
        operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from
        that set forth in the Prospectus.

               (r) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal
        or governmental proceedings pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
        threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party
        or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries is subject that are required to be described in the
        Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any
        statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to
        be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be
        filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described
        or filed as required.

        2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS. Each of
the Selling Stockholders, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to
and agrees with each of the Underwriters and the Company that:

               (a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder.

               (b) The execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of,
        and the performance by such Selling Stockholder of its obligations
        under, this Agreement will not result in any violation of any material
        agreement or other instrument binding upon such Selling Stockholder or
        any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any governmental body,
        agency or court having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder, and
        no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with,



                                       5
<PAGE>   7

        any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by such
        Selling Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement, except the
        registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, and except such
        as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various
        states in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.

               (c) Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date and any
        Option Closing Date (as defined in Section 5) will have, valid title to
        all of the Shares or Warrants which may be sold by such Selling
        Stockholder under this Agreement and the legal right and power, and all
        authorization and approval required by law or other instruments binding
        upon such Selling Stockholder, to enter into this Agreement and to sell,
        transfer and deliver the Shares or Warrants to be sold by such Selling
        Stockholder.

               (d) Upon delivery of the Shares or Warrants to be sold by such
        Selling Stockholder and payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, the
        Underwriters will hold such Shares or Warrants (including Warrant Shares
        issued upon exercise of the Warrants after payment of the exercise price
        therefor) free and clear of any security interests, claims, liens,
        equities and other encumbrances assuming that such Underwriters have
        purchased such Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares in good faith and
        without notice of any security interest, claims, liens, equities,
        encumbrances or any other adverse claims within the meaning of the
        Uniform Commercial Code.

               (e) The information (other than the percent of shares owned, as
        to which such Selling Stockholder makes no representation) pertaining to
        such Selling Stockholder under the caption "Principal and Selling
        Stockholders" in the Prospectus is complete and accurate in all material
        respects, and any information pertaining to such Selling Stockholder or
        its affiliates under the caption "Certain Relationships and
        Transactions" incorporated by reference into the Prospectus from the
        Company's 1998 Proxy Statement fairly presents the information required
        to be set forth therein and contains no material misstatement or
        omission.

        Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or by or on behalf
of any Selling Stockholder and delivered to the U.S. Representatives, the
International Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed
a representation and warranty by the Company or such Selling Stockholder, as the
case may be, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

        3. AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE. Each Selling Stockholder, severally
and not jointly, hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each
Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase from such Selling Stockholder (i) at $- a Share
(the "Share Purchase Price") and (ii) at $- a Warrant (the "Warrant Purchase
Price") (such Warrant Purchase Price representing the Share Purchase Price less
the exercise price of $.50 per Warrant (the "Warrant Exercise Price") for each
Warrant Share), the number of Firm Shares or Firm Warrants, as the case may be
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may
determine), that bears the same proportion to the number of Firm Shares or Firm
Warrants, as the case may be, to be sold by such Selling Stockholder as the
number of Firm Shares and Firm Warrants, respectively, set forth in Schedules II
or III hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of
Firm Shares and Firm Warrants, respectively.

        On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Selling Stockholders
agree to sell to the U.S. Underwriters the Additional Shares and the Additional
Warrants, as the case may be, and the U.S. Underwriters shall have a one-time
right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 3,255,214 Additional Shares
at the Share Purchase Price and up to 



                                       6
<PAGE>   8

494,786 Additional Warrants at the Warrant Purchase Price. If the U.S.
Representatives, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters, elect to exercise such
option, the U.S. Representatives shall so notify the Selling Stockholders in
writing not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement, which notice
shall specify the number of Additional Shares and Additional Warrants to be
purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the date on which such Additional Shares
and Additional Warrants are to be purchased. Such date may be the same as the
Closing Date (as defined below) but not earlier than the Closing Date nor later
than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares and
Additional Warrants may be purchased as provided in Section 5 hereof solely for
the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of
the Firm Shares and Firm Warrant Shares. If any Additional Shares and Additional
Warrants are to be purchased, each Selling Stockholder agrees, severally and not
jointly, to sell the number of Additional Shares or Additional Warrants, as the
case may be (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the
U.S. Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total
number of Additional Shares or Additional Warrants to be sold as the number of
Additional Shares or Additional Warrants set forth in Schedule I opposite the
names of such Selling Stockholders bears to the total number of Additional
Shares and Additional Warrants, and each U.S. Underwriter agrees, severally and
not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares or Additional Warrants,
as the case may be (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares
as the U.S. Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the
total number of Additional Shares and Additional Warrants, as the case may be,
to be purchased as the number of U.S. Firm Shares and U.S. Firm Warrants,
respectively, set forth in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of U.S. Firm Shares and U.S. Firm
Warrants, respectively.

        At the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, simultaneous with (i)
the purchase by the Underwriters of Firm Warrants or the purchase by the U.S.
Underwriters of Additional Warrants and (ii) the payment to the Company of the
Warrant Exercise Price, the Underwriters and U.S. Underwriters, respectively,
will be deemed to have exercised such Firm Warrants or Additional Warrants and
the Company will immediately issue to the Underwriters and U.S. Underwriters,
respectively, at the Closing Date and Option Closing Date, the related Firm
Warrant Shares and Additional Warrant Shares, as the case may be.

        Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders of the Company hereby
agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during a period of 90
days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, [PLEDGE,] sell, contract to
sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract
to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase[, LEND,] or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
or (ii) with respect to the Company only, enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction
described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common
Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence
shall not apply to (A) the Securities or Warrants to be sold hereunder, (B) any
shares of Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to stock option plans in
effect on the date of the Prospectus, (C) option grants under stock option plans
in effect on the date of the Prospectus, (D) any agreement of the Company in
connection with an acquisition of assets or properties or any capital stock
issuable pursuant to the terms of such an agreement, (E) capital stock issuable
upon the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of the Prospectus, or (F)
the cancellation of warrants. In addition, each Selling Stockholder agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the
date of the Prospectus, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect
to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.



                                        7

<PAGE>   9

        4. TERMS OF PUBLIC OFFERING. The Company and the Selling Stockholders
are advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of
their respective portions of the Securities as soon after the Registration
Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your judgment is
advisable. The Company and the Selling Stockholders are further advised by you
that the Securities are to be offered to the public initially at $- a share (the
"Public Offering Price") and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that
represents a concession not in excess of $- a share under the Public Offering
Price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
concession, not in excess of $- a share, to any Underwriter or to certain other
dealers.

        5. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY. Payment for the Firm Shares and Firm Warrants
to be sold by each Selling Stockholder shall be made in Federal or other
immediately available funds to an account designated by the Selling Stockholders
against delivery of such Firm Shares and Firm Warrants for the respective
accounts of the several Underwriters at 7 a.m., California time on July -, 1998,
or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than -, 1998, as
shall be designated in writing by you. Payment of the Warrant Exercise Price for
Firm Warrant Shares shall be made in Federal or other immediately available
funds to an account designated by the Company on the same such date. The time
and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."

        Payment for any Additional Shares and Additional Warrants to be sold by
each Selling Stockholder shall be made in Federal or other immediately available
funds to an account designated by the Selling Stockholders against delivery of
such Additional Shares and Additional Warrants for the respective accounts of
the several Underwriters at 7 a.m., California time on the date specified in the
notice described in Section 3 or on such other date, in any event not later than
- -, 1998, as shall be designated in writing by you. Payment of the Warrant
Exercise Price for Additional Warrant Shares shall be made in Federal or other
immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company on the same
such date. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the
"Option Closing Date."

        Certificates for the Firm Shares, Firm Warrant Shares, Additional Shares
and Additional Warrant Shares shall be in definitive form and registered in such
names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than
two full business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as
the case may be. The certificates evidencing the Firm Shares, Firm Warrant
Shares, Additional Shares and Additional Warrant Shares shall be delivered to
you on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable
in connection with the transfer of the Warrants and Securities to the
Underwriters duly paid (subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof), against
payment of the Purchase Price, Warrant Purchase Price and Warrant Exercise Price
therefor.

        6. CONDITIONS TO THE UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The several obligations
of the Selling Stockholders to sell the Shares and Warrants to the Underwriters
and the several obligations of the Underwriters, to purchase and pay for the
Shares and Warrants on the Closing Date are subject to the condition that the
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than the date
hereof.

        The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following
further conditions:

               (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
        and prior to the Closing Date:



                                       8
<PAGE>   10

                      (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor
               shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential
               downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not
               indicate the direction of the possible change in the rating
               accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally
               recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is
               defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;
               and

                      (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any
               development involving a prospective change, in the condition,
               financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
               operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
               from that set forth in the Prospectus that, in your judgment, is
               material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment,
               impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner
               contemplated in the Prospectus.

               (b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
        certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer
        of the Company, to the effect set forth in clause (a)(i) above and to
        the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company
        contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date
        and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and
        satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
        hereunder on or before the Closing Date (the officer signing and
        delivering such certificate may rely upon his or her knowledge as to
        proceedings threatened).

               (c) Latham & Watkins, counsel for the Company, shall have
        furnished to you their written opinion dated the Closing Date, in form
        and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

                      (i) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
               existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
               Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own, lease and
               operate its properties and conduct its business as described in
               the Prospectus;

                      (ii) the Company has authorized capital stock as set forth
               in the Prospectus, and the Common Stock and Warrants conform to
               the description thereof contained in the Prospectus;

                      (iii) the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders
               pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized
               and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the
               Warrant Shares to be issued and sold by the Company pursuant to
               the terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized, and when
               issued to and paid for by you and the other Underwriters in
               accordance with the terms of the Warrants will be validly issued,
               fully paid and non-assessable;

                      (iv) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
               delivered by the Company;

                      (v) the Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and
               delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding
               obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their
               terms;

                      (vi) the issue and sale of the Warrant Shares being
               delivered at the Closing Date by the Company and the conformance
               by the Company with the provisions of this 



                                       9
<PAGE>   11

               Agreement will not result in the violation by the Company of its
               Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or any federal,
               New York or California statute, rule or regulation known to such
               counsel to be applicable to the Company (other than federal
               securities laws, which are specifically addressed elsewhere in
               such counsel's opinion, or state securities laws, as to which
               such counsel need not express an opinion) or result in a material
               breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
               constitute a default under, any of the indentures relating to the
               9.30% Senior Secured Debentures due 2007, 10% Senior Notes due
               2002, 10% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2001, 9.875% Senior
               Subordinated Debentures due 2007, 9.65% Senior Subordinated
               Debentures due 2004 9.35% Senior Subordinated Notes due 1999,
               6.85% Senior Notes due 2004, 7.00% Senior Notes due 2007 or 7.45%
               Senior Debentures due 2027, or the bank credit agreement between
               the Company and a consortium of banks led by Bankers Trust
               Company;

                      (vii) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
               filing with, any federal, New York or California court or
               governmental agency or body is required for the issue of the
               Warrant Shares or the sale of the Securities except such as have
               been obtained under the Securities Act and such as may be
               required under state securities laws in connection with the
               purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters
               as to which such counsel need not express an opinion;

                      (viii) each document incorporated by reference in the
               Prospectus [or any further amendment or supplement thereto made
               by the Company prior to the Closing Date] (other than the
               financial statements, schedules and other financial data included
               or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel
               need express no opinion), when it became effective or was filed
               with the Commission, as the case may be, appeared on its face to
               comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements
               of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the
               Commission thereunder. In passing upon the compliance as to form
               of each of such documents, such counsel may assume that the
               statements made and incorporated by reference therein are correct
               and complete;

                      (ix) the statements in the Prospectus under the captions
               "Certain United States Tax Consequences to Non-United States
               Holders" and "Description of Capital Stock," in each case insofar
               as such statements constitute summaries of legal matters, are
               accurate in all material respects;

                      (x) the Company is not an "investment company" as such
               term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
               amended;

                      (xi) the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for
               financial statements, schedules and other financial data included
               or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel
               need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material
               respects with the requirements for registration statements on
               Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
               regulations of the Commission thereunder. In passing upon the
               compliance as to form of the Registration Statement and the
               Prospectus, such counsel may assume that the statements made and
               incorporated by reference therein are correct and complete; and

                      (xii) The Registration Statement has become effective
               under the Securities Act and, to such counsel's knowledge, no
               stop order suspending the effectiveness of the



                                       10
<PAGE>   12

               Registration Statement has been issued under the Securities Act
               and no proceedings therefor have been initiated by the
               Commission; and the Prospectus has been filed in accordance with
               Rule 424(b) and 430A under the Securities Act.


                      In addition, such counsel shall state that they have
               participated in conferences with officers and other
               representatives of the Company, representatives of the
               independent public accountants for the Company, and your
               representatives, at which the contents of the Registration
               Statement and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed
               and, although such counsel is not passing upon, and does not
               assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or
               fairness of the statements contained in the Registration
               Statement and the Prospectus and such counsel has not made any
               independent check or verification thereof (except as set forth in
               paragraph (ix) above), during the course of such participation
               (relying, in connection with such counsel's determination as to
               materiality, to a large extent upon statements as to matters of
               fact of officers and other representatives of the Company), no
               facts came to such counsel's attention that have caused such
               counsel to believe that the Registration Statement (including the
               documents incorporated by reference therein), at the time it
               became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material
               fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
               therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
               misleading, or that the Prospectus (including the documents
               incorporated by reference therein), as of its date or as of the
               Closing Date, contained or contains an untrue statement of a
               material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact
               necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
               circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; it
               being understood that such counsel need express no belief with
               respect to the financial statements, schedules and other
               financial data included in the Registration Statement or the
               Prospectus or incorporated by reference therein.

                      In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that
               they express an opinion only as to federal securities laws, New
               York and California law and the General Corporation Law of
               Delaware.

               (d) Michael C. Ross, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
        Secretary of the Company, shall have furnished to you his written
        opinion, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to
        you, to the effect that:

                      (i) the Company has been duly qualified as a foreign
               corporation for the transaction of business and is in good
               standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which its
               ownership or lease of substantial properties or the conduct of
               its business require such qualification, and in which the failure
               to be so qualified and in good standing would have a material
               adverse effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries considered
               as a single enterprise;

                      (ii) based solely on certificates from public officials,
               each Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly
               incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
               standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; has
               corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
               properties and conduct its business as described in the
               Prospectus; to the best of his knowledge has been duly qualified
               as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
               in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in
               which its ownership or lease of substantial



                                       11
<PAGE>   13

               properties or the conduct of its business require such
               qualification, and in which failure to be so qualified and in
               good standing would have a material adverse effect upon the
               Company and its subsidiaries considered as a single enterprise;
               and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
               Significant Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly
               issued and is fully paid and nonassessable, and the capital stock
               owned by the Company in such subsidiary is owned by the Company
               free and clear of any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim
               or equity;

                      (iii) to the best of such counsel's knowledge there are no
               legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any
               property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the
               subject, required to be described in the Prospectus, which are
               not described as required;

                      (iv) the issue and sale of the Warrant Shares being
               delivered at the Closing Date by the Company and the performance
               by the Company of all its obligations under this Agreement will
               not conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of
               any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
               any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other
               agreement or instrument relating to indebtedness in excess of $25
               million to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
               party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound
               or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any
               of its subsidiaries is subject; and

                      (v) the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
               the Company and warrants to purchase capital stock of the Company
               have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
               and non-assessable.

               (e) Latham & Watkins, counsel for the Selling Stockholders, shall
        have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Closing Date, in
        form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

                      (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
               delivered by or on behalf of each of the Selling Stockholders;

                      (ii) each Selling Stockholder has full right, power and
               authority to enter into the Underwriting Agreement; the sale of
               the Shares or the Warrants, as applicable, by each Selling
               Stockholder will not result in the violation by such Selling
               Stockholder of its partnership agreement or any federal or New
               York statute, rule or regulation known to such counsel to be
               applicable to such Selling Stockholder (other than federal
               securities laws which are specifically addressed elsewhere in
               such counsel's opinion, or state securities laws, as to which
               such counsel need not express an opinion); no consent, approval,
               authorization or order of, or filing with, any federal or New
               York governmental body or agency is required for the sale of the
               Shares or the Warrants, as applicable, except such as have been
               obtained under the Securities Act and except such as may be
               required under state securities laws in connection with the
               purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters,
               as to which such counsel need not express an opinion; and

                      (iii) upon delivery of the Shares and Warrants and payment
               therefor pursuant hereto, the Underwriters will acquire such
               Shares and Warrants (including the Warrant Shares issued upon
               exercise of the Warrants after payment of the exercise price
               therefor) 



                                       12
<PAGE>   14

               free and clear of adverse claims within the meaning of the
               Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York,
               assuming that such Underwriters have purchased such Shares,
               Warrants and Warrant Shares pursuant to this agreement without
               notice of any such adverse claim within the meaning of the
               Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York.

               (f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the
        Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in the first clause of
        subparagraph (i), the second clause of subparagraph (iii), subparagraph
        (iv) and subparagraph (xi) of paragraph (c) above and such counsel shall
        have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request
        to enable them to pass upon such matters.

               With respect to subparagraph (xi) of paragraph (c) above, Brown &
        Wood may state that their opinion and belief are based upon their
        participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and
        Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (other than the
        documents incorporated by reference) and review and discussion of the
        contents thereof, but are without independent check or verification,
        except as specified. With respect to paragraph (e) above, Latham &
        Watkins may rely upon an opinion or opinions of counsel for any Selling
        Stockholder and, to the extent such counsel deems appropriate, upon the
        representations of each Selling Stockholder contained herein and in
        other documents and instruments, provided that (A) each such counsel for
        the Selling Stockholders is satisfactory to your counsel, (B) a copy of
        each opinion so relied upon is delivered to you and is in form and
        substance satisfactory to your counsel, (C) copies of such other
        documents and instruments, if any, shall be delivered to you and shall
        be in form and substance satisfactory to your counsel and (D) Latham &
        Watkins shall state in their opinion that they are justified in relying
        on each such other opinion.

               The opinions of Latham & Watkins described in paragraphs (c) and
        (e) above shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the
        Company or the Selling Stockholders, as the case may be, and shall so
        state therein.

               (g) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
        certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed on behalf of each of the
        Selling Stockholders, to the effect that the representations and
        warranties of such Selling Stockholders contained herein are true and
        correct on and as of the Closing Date and that such Selling Stockholders
        have complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the
        conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or
        before the Closing Date.

               (h) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date
        hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the
        Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
        the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public
        accountants, containing statements and information of the type
        ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters
        with respect to the financial statements and certain financial
        information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus;
        provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a
        "cut-off date" not earlier than the date hereof.

               (i) The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of
        Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain stockholders of the Company
        relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common
        Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the
        date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.



                                       13

<PAGE>   15
               (j) At the date of this Agreement, the Company and the Selling
        Stockholders shall have furnished for review by the U.S. Representatives
        and the International Representatives copies of such further
        information, certificates and documents as they may reasonably request.

               (k) Simultaneous with the purchase of the Firm Warrants and any
        Additional Warrants and the payment of the Warrant Exercise Price by the
        Underwriters, the Company will issue Warrant Shares.

               (l) If the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule
        462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m.,
        Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement.


               The several obligations of the U.S. Underwriters to purchase
        Additional Shares and Additional Warrants hereunder are subject to the
        delivery to the U.S. Underwriters on the Option Closing Date of such
        documents as they may reasonably request with respect to the good
        standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the
        Additional Shares and Additional Warrant Shares and other matters
        related thereto.

        7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. In further consideration of the agreements
of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

               (a) To furnish to you, without charge, seven signed copies of the
        Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto and documents
        incorporated by reference) and to each Underwriter a copy of the
        Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto but including documents
        incorporated by reference) and to furnish to you in New York City
        without charge prior to 5:00 p.m. local time on the business day next
        succeeding the date of this Agreement, and during the period mentioned
        in paragraph (c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus, any documents
        incorporated therein by reference, and any supplements and amendments
        thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.
        The terms "supplement" and "amendment" or "amend" as used in this
        Agreement shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company
        with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act that are deemed to be
        incorporated be reference in the Prospectus.

               (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
        or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed
        amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or
        supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the
        Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under
        the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such
        Rule.

               (c) If, during such period after the first date of the public
        offering of the Securities as in the opinion of counsel for the
        Underwriters the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in
        connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur
        or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or
        supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in
        the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
        purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the
        Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to
        comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the
        Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to
        the dealers (whose names 



                                       14
<PAGE>   16

        and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Securities may
        have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other
        dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus
        so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented
        will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is
        delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as
        amended or supplemented, will comply with law.

               (d) To endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and sale
        under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall
        reasonably request.

               (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders
        and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering the
        twelve-month period ending September -, 1999 that satisfies the
        provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and
        regulations of the Commission thereunder.

               (f) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this
        Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or
        cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its
        obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements
        and expenses of the Company's counsel and the Company's accountants in
        connection with the registration and delivery of the Securities under
        the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the
        preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary
        prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the
        foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the
        mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and
        dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) the cost of
        printing or producing any Blue Sky memorandum in connection with the
        offer and sale of the Securities under state securities laws and all
        expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities for
        offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 7(d)
        hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements
        of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification
        and in connection with the Blue Sky memorandum, (iii) all filing fees
        and reasonable disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in
        connection with the review and qualification of the offering by the
        National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (iv) the cost of
        printing certificates representing the Securities, (v) the costs and
        charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (vi) the costs
        and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any
        "road show" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering,
        including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production
        of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants
        engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior
        approval of the Company, travel and lodging expense of the
        representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants,
        and the cost of any aircraft chartered by the Company in connection with
        the road show, (vii) all other costs and expenses of the Company in
        connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder for which
        provision is not otherwise made in this Section, and (viii) any other
        costs and expenses of others in connection with the performance of the
        Company's obligations hereunder which have been previously approved by
        the Company. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated agrees to pay New York
        State stock transfer taxes incurred in connection with the sale of the
        Securities pursuant hereto, if any, and the Selling Stockholders agree
        to reimburse Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated for any associated
        carrying costs if such tax payment is not rebated on the day of payment
        and for any portion of such tax payment not rebated. It is understood,
        however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 8 entitled
        "Indemnity and Contribution", and the last paragraph of Section 10
        below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses,
        including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes
        payable on resale of any of the Securities by them, the costs 



                                       15
<PAGE>   17

        and expenses of the Underwriters relating to investor presentations on
        any "road shows" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the
        Shares and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may
        make.

               (g) Upon payment of the purchase price for any or all of the
        Warrants to the Selling Stockholders, to deem any and all requirements
        for the transfer of such Warrants to be satisfied.

               (h) Simultaneous with the purchase from the Selling Stockholders
        of, and payment for, the Firm Warrants and any Additional Warrants and
        the payment to the Company of the Warrant Exercise Price by the
        Underwriters, the Company will issue the Firm Warrant Shares and any
        Additional Warrant Shares, respectively, all as contemplated by this
        Agreement.

        8. INDEMNITY AND CONTRIBUTION. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by any Underwriter or any such controlling person
in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused
by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall
have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by
such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein; provided, however, that
the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus
shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting
any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Securities, or any
person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then
amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter
to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Securities to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The Company reaffirms its
indemnification of the Selling Stockholders pursuant to that certain
Registration Rights Agreement entered into by the Company, KKR Associates, SSI
Equity Associates and certain other parties named therein, dated as of November
25, 1986 (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

               (b) Each Selling Stockholder agrees, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who
controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments
or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to information
relating to such Selling Stockholder furnished in writing by or on behalf of
such Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto;
provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any
preliminary 



                                       16
<PAGE>   18

prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the
person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased
Securities, or any person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the
Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of
such Underwriter to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered,
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Securities to such
person, and if the Prospectus (as to amended or supplemented) would have cured
the defect giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The
Selling Stockholders reaffirm their indemnification of the Company pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement and the Subscription Agreement.

               (c) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Stockholders, the directors
of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement
and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Selling Stockholder
within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity from the Company to such
Underwriter in paragraph 8(a) above, but only with reference to information
relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto.

               (d) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which
indemnity may be sought pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 8,
such person (the "indemnified party") shall promptly notify the person against
whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing and the
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in
connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction,
be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who
control any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, (b) the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Company,
its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section and
(c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
local counsel) for all Selling Stockholders and all persons, if any, who control
any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of either such Section, and that all
such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of
any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons of
Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such
directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be
designated in writing by the Company. In the case of any such separate firm for
the Selling Stockholders and such controlling persons of Selling Stockholders,
such firm shall be designated in writing by the Selling Stockholders. The
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to
indemnify the indemnified party from 



                                       17
<PAGE>   19

and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party
shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party
for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third
sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such
indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party
shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the
prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.

               (e) To the extent the indemnification provided for in paragraph
(a) , (b) or (c) of this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party or
insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred
to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of
indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand
and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the
Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the
indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements
or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities
shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds
from the offering of the Securities received by the Selling Stockholders and the
total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in
each case as set forth in the table (including the footnotes thereto) on the
cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the
Shares. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company and the Selling Stockholders or
by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section
8 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares and Warrants they
have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

               (f) The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters
agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in
paragraph (e) of this Section 8. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue 



                                       18
<PAGE>   20

or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission and no Selling
Stockholder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from the Shares or
Warrant Shares sold by it pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the amount of any
damages that such Selling Stockholder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies
provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights
or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or
in equity.

               (g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this
Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the
Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this
Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any
person controlling any Underwriter, any Selling Stockholder or any person
controlling any Selling Stockholder, or the Company, its officers or directors
or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for
any of the Securities.

        9. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall be subject to termination by notice
given by you to the Company and the Selling Stockholders, if (a) after the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i)
trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by, as
the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago
Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board
of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been
suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York or California shall have
been declared by either Federal or New York State or California authorities, or
(iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any
change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is
material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in
clauses (a)(i) through (iv), such event, singly or together with any other such
event, makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the
terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

        10. EFFECTIVENESS; DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS. This Agreement shall become
effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

        If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares or
Warrants that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and
the aggregate number of Shares and Warrants which such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth
of the aggregate number of the Shares and Warrants to be purchased on such date,
the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the
aggregate number of Firm Shares and Firm Warrants set forth opposite their
respective names in Schedule II or III, as the case may be, bears to the
aggregate number of Firm Shares and Firm Warrants set forth opposite the names
of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may
specify, to purchase the Shares and Warrants which such defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided
that in no event shall the aggregate number of Shares and Warrants that any
Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased
pursuant to this Section 10 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such
aggregate number of Shares and Warrants without the written consent of such
Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Firm Shares or Firm 



                                       19
<PAGE>   21

Warrants and the aggregate number of Firm Shares and Firm Warrants with respect
to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of
Firm Shares and Firm Warrants to be purchased, and arrangements satisfactory to
you, the Company and the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such Firm
Shares and Firm Warrants are not made within 36 hours after such default, this
Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter, the Company or the Selling Stockholders. In any such case either
you or the Company or the Selling Stockholders shall have the right to postpone
the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the
required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or
in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on the Option
Closing Date, any U.S. Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to
purchase Additional Shares or Additional Warrants and the aggregate number of
Additional Shares and Additional Warrants with respect to which such default
occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares and
Additional Warrants to be purchased, the non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters shall
have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase
Additional Shares and Additional Warrants or (ii) purchase not less than the
number of Additional Shares and Additional Warrants that such non-defaulting
Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such
default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

        If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of
them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company or any
Selling Stockholder to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions
of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company or any Selling Stockholder
shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company and
the Selling Stockholders will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel)
reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or
the offering contemplated hereunder; provided, however, that no such
reimbursement shall be required with respect to a termination of this Agreement
by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 9 or Section 10.

        11. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

        12. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.



                                       20

<PAGE>   22

        13. HEADINGS. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of
this Agreement.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        SAFEWAY INC.


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                        SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

                                        KKR Partners II, L.P.
                                        By KKR Associates,
                                           the General Partner


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                             Name: James H. Greene, Jr.
                                             Title: General Partner

                                        SSI Associates, L.P.
                                        By KKR Associates,
                                           the General Partner


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                             Name: James H. Greene, Jr.
                                             Title: General Partner

                                        SSI Equity Associates, L.P.
                                        By SSI Partners, L.P.,
                                           the General Partner


                                        By:_____________________________________
                                             Name: George R. Roberts
                                             Title: General Partner



                                       21

<PAGE>   23

Accepted as of the date hereof

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION
ING BARING FURMAN SELZ LLC
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC


Acting severally on behalf of themselves 
  and the several U.S. Underwriters
  named in Schedule II hereto.


By: Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated


By:_____________________________________
        Name:
        Title:


MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE INTERNATIONAL
ING BARING FURMAN SELZ LLC
LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
UBS AG, ACTING THROUGH ITS DIVISION WARBURG DILLON READ

Acting severally on behalf of themselves
  and the several International Underwriters 
  named in Schedule III hereto.


By: Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited


By:_____________________________________
        Name:
        Title:



                                       22

<PAGE>   24
                                   SCHEDULE I



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        TOTAL NUMBER OF
                                                                                           ADDITIONAL
                                                                                            WARRANTS
                                                   TOTAL NUMBER OF   TOTAL NUMBER OF     (EXPRESSED AS
                                                    FIRM WARRANTS       ADDITIONAL         ADDITIONAL
                                                      TO BE SOLD       SHARES TO BE     WARRANT SHARES)
                                 TOTAL NUMBER OF    (EXPRESSED AS        SOLD IF         TO BE SOLD IF
                                  FIRM SHARES TO     FIRM WARRANT        MAXIMUM            MAXIMUM
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS                 BE SOLD           SHARES)       OPTION EXERCISED   OPTION EXERCISED
- --------------------                 -------           -------       ----------------   ----------------
<S>                              <C>               <C>               <C>                <C>
KKR Partners II, L.P.

SSI Associates, L.P.

SSI Equity Associates, L.P.                             3,298,576                              494,786
                                  ============          =========       ===========            =======

     TOTAL                          21,701,424          3,298,576         3,255,214            494,786
</TABLE>



                                       23

<PAGE>   25

                                   SCHEDULE II



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                      
                                                                                               TOTAL  
                                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                                                                            ADDITIONAL
                                                                                            WARRANTS TO
                                                                                TOTAL      BE PURCHASED
                                                                  TOTAL        NUMBER OF   EXPRESSED AS
                                                                NUMBER OF     ADDITIONAL    ADDITIONAL
                                                   TOTAL       ADDITIONAL      SHARES TO     WARRANT
                                                 NUMBER OF     WARRANTS TO   BE PURCHASED   SHARES) IF
                                                 U.S. FIRM      U.S. FIRM     IF MAXIMUM      MAXIMUM
                                               SHARES TO BE      WARRANT        OPTION        OPTION
U.S. UNDERWRITERS                                PURCHASED       SHARES)       EXERCISED     EXERCISED
- -----------------                                ---------       -------       ---------     ---------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>


MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH 
  INCORPORATED
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES 
  CORPORATION
ING BARING FURMAN SELZ LLC
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
                                                ==========     =========       =========    ======= 
        TOTAL                                   17,361,139     2,638,861       3,255,214    494,786

</TABLE>



                                       24

<PAGE>   26

                                  SCHEDULE III



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                TOTAL NUMBER OF
                                                                                 INTERNATIONAL
                                                                                 WARRANTS TO BE
                                                                                   PURCHASED
                                                           TOTAL NUMBER OF       (EXPRESSED AS
                                                         INTERNATIONAL SHARES    INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS                                 TO BE PURCHASED      WARRANT SHARES)
- --------------------------                                 ---------------      ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>                    <C>
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
GOLDMAN SACHS & INTERNATIONAL
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE INTERNATIONAL
ING BARING FURMAN SELZ LLC
LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
UBS AG, ACTING THROUGH ITS DIVISION WARBURG
  DILLON READ
                                                              =========             =======
        TOTAL                                                 4,340,285             659,715
</TABLE>



                                       25


<PAGE>   27
                                                                       EXHIBIT A



                           [FORM OF LOCK-UP CONTRACT]





                                                                    July -, 1998



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC
Lehman Brothers Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Smith Barney Inc.
Warburg Dillon Read LLC
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
   1585 Broadway
   New York, NY 10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Merrill Lynch International
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC
Lehman Brothers International (Europe)
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.
Smith Barney Inc.
UBS AG, acting through its division Warburg Dillon Read
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
   25 Cabot Square
   Canary Wharf
   London E14 4QA
   England

Dear Sirs:

        The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
("Morgan Stanley") proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement with Safeway
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Selling Stockholders named in
Schedule I thereto providing for the public offering (the "Public Offering") by
the several Underwriters, including Morgan Stanley (the "Underwriters"), of



<PAGE>   28

25,000,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Common Stock").

        In consideration of the Underwriters' agreement to purchase and make the
Public Offering of the Shares, and for other good and valuable consideration
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters, it will not, during a period of 90 days after the date of
the prospectus first used to confirm sales of Shares (the "Prospectus"), offer,
[pledge,] sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase[, lend] or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly,
any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock whether any such transaction is to be settled by
delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The
foregoing sentence shall not apply to the Shares to be sold pursuant to the
Public Offering or the SSI Warrants to be canceled, as described in the
Prospectus. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written
consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it
will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus,
make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of
any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock.

        Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number
of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters.


                                        Very truly yours,


                                        ________________________________________
                                        (Name)


                                        ________________________________________
                                        (Address)



                                        2

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-58597 of Safeway Inc. of our report dated
February 27, 1998 incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Safeway Inc. for the year ended January 3, 1998, and to the reference to us
under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Francisco, California
July 8, 1998


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