OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state is suing Haggen and other grocery stores over what it calls “deceptive” promotional offers.

The suit was filed on Monday, April 27, against the Boise-based Albertsons Companies, which owns and operates 225 stores across Washington, including Haggen, Safeway and Albertsons.

In it, state Attorney General Nick Brown argues that the stores overcharged shoppers through their “buy one get one free” deals.

According to the complaint, the stores would artificially drive up prices of items in the weeks or months before they were included in the BOGO promotion.

They would then lower the prices back down within 30 days of the deal being over.

Brown says it was marketed to make consumers think they’re getting a second item free, while in reality, they’re paying an inflated price for the first item.

The suit alleges the stores made nearly $20 million with the deceptive deals between fall 2019 and spring 2024.

Brown is asking the court to stop the company from using the practice and offer restitution for state consumers.

Albertson’s Companies told My Bellingham Now in a statement over email: “We are aware that the Washington Attorney General has filed a lawsuit related to certain buy‑one‑get‑one promotions. We engaged in good‑faith discussions with the Attorney General’s Office and strongly disagree with its claims, which are based on flawed analysis and data errors that we identified and raised.”

“Albertsons Companies is committed to complying with the law and to offering customers clear value through our promotions. As this is pending litigation, we will address the matter through the legal process and cannot comment further.”