Safeway Inc. says it had a net loss of $1.61 billion for its fourth quarter, primarily due to a one-time goodwill impairment charge of $1.82 billion, related to the weak economy and two acquisitions. But even without the charge, net income would have been $209.1 million, down from $338 million in the same period a year ago. Sales at the Pleasanton, Calif.-based chain dropped 8.1% to $12.7 billion, down from $13.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008.--Sarah Mahoney