Safeway's net income jumped 13 percent in the final three months of 2012, reaffirming the prowess of the nation's second-largest supermarket chain despite tough competition from big-box grocers like Walmart and the popularity of niche stores like Trader Joe's.
The company credited the growing popularity of its customer loyalty program, "Just for U," for the gains. The program, which has about 5.4 million cardholders, offers digital coupons and individualized deals based on a consumer's past purchases.
After adjusting....