Mega-Grocery Merger – Kroger to Acquire Albertsons
Kroger, which operates 2,721 supermarkets across the country announced today the acquisition of Albertsons. The marriage of the two largest grocery store chains in the country will have a combined total of almost 5,000 stores nationwide.
The acquisition comes when both Walmart and Amazon are growing their grocery offerings and squeezing competition in the industry. It will likely come under close scrutiny from regulators who will evaluate the possible effect on pricing for consumers already hit hard by inflation.
It is hard to predict the impact on alcohol suppliers, but it could make it more difficult for smaller suppliers to gain and maintain placement in shelf schematics as buying decisions will likely be consolidated.
The deal will bring under one roof a number of regional chains already owned by Albertsons such as Haggen, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, United and others.
More on the story here.
