“Our retail locations are a critical resource not only for necessities but also as an integral part of the local area they serve,” C&S President Mark McGowan said in a statement. There's a big problem with the Kroger-Albertsons supermarket merger Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Under terms of the deal, C&S will also get three smaller grocery store brands including QFC, Mariano’s and Carrs as well as the “exclusive licensing rights” to the Albertsons name in Arizona, California, Colorado and Wyoming.Ī shopper visits Albertsons at 3901 Crenshaw Blvd on Friday, Oct. “This comprehensive divestiture plan marks a key next step toward the completion of the merger by extending a well-capitalized competitor into new geographies,” Kroger and Albertsons said in the statement, adding that no stores are closing and “all existing collective bargaining agreements will continue.” C&S, a privately held company, operates 500 grocery stores under the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union banners and is also a major grocery wholesaler.
Kroger and Albertsons are selling roughly 400 stores to Piggly Wiggly’s parent company in an attempt to win antitrust approval for the mega merger between the grocery stores.Ĭ&S Wholesale Grocers will pay $1.9 billion, with the deal expected to close in early 2024 subject to regulatory approval, the company said in a statement.