topic Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger in Community Chat

FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

PickyPicky3 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:26:57 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission is trying to block the merger, saying the resulting company would be too big and lead to higher prices.

The merged K & A company would control 13% of grocery sales in the USA. Walmart currently controls 22%.

What do you think? Personally, I prefer a greater choice of stores.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

cheriere — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:46:37 GMT

@PickyPicky3 Wow, I hadn't heard about this. Sounds like Walmart may have some people in the Federal Trade Commission lol.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Sooner — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:48:13 GMT

I hope they do get to merge! I'd love to see that.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

On It — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:12:51 GMT

I think it needs to be blocked. In New Mexico, stores under the Kroger merger would have a monopoly. Food prices will rise because of lack of competition. The employees will not have competitive wage opportunities.

We do not need to allow the stores selling our foods do what the manufacturers have done. When only 10 mega companies control the food supply, prices are manipulated world wide. Today's prices reflect that. Here is the chart if you have never seen it showing the ownership of the food brands.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:51:30 GMT

I am not the sharpest tack in the box, but if antitrust laws applies, I think that started back with railroad building in the US, I would say that I am against the merger. We don't need any one company to be a monopoly with no price competition.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Icegoddess — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:58:20 GMT

@On It Do you have both Albertsons and Kroger? I thought one was an eastern store and the other western. I've only run into Albertsons when we would go out to MT for our ski trips. Just like Hellman's mayo is in the east and I think it's Best Foods in the west. Same brand, different name. The other thing is, they were somehow connectd to Kroger because they ran the same promotions and accepted Kroger's discount card.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:07:23 GMT

Hi @Icegoddess

I know your question wasn't directed to me, sorry to jump in. My reusable grocery bag that I bought from Acme here in the mid Atlantic has printed on it Acme and Safeway, which I think both are owed by Albertsons.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Desertdi — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:20:06 GMT

The State of Arizona also joined the Federal lawsuit.....citing possible store closures, layoffs, and price increases......since NEITHER of these corporations would confirm or deny such occurances would not happen in the future.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

On It — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:27:41 GMT

@Icegoddess We have Smith's which is owned by Kroger. If Kroger buys Albertson's, it has acquired its competition.

Kroger currently owns a number of brands in the Western part of the country including King Sooper in Colorado which was acquired in the late 1990's. It seems they are trying to gobble up the grocery suppliers out here first.

If you are interested in the root of the problem, search grocery stores owned by Kroger. Then search grocery stores owned by Albertson's. It is quite a long list that would be under one ownership.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

World Traveler — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:16:25 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Hi @Icegoddess

I know your question wasn't directed to me, sorry to jump in. My reusable grocery bag that I bought from Acme here in the mid Atlantic has printed on it Acme and Safeway, which I think both are owed by Albertsons.

In Central California Von's and Safeway are the same. Their bags acknowledge that.

Where I live In the Pacific NorthWest, I notice that the Von's/Safeway stores in California and Haggen are the same. Don't know which one is the "mother" company, but the stores and their "house" brand were/are the same.

In Washington there is Kroger/Fred Meyer too. FM has a lot of Kroger brands.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

deeva — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:12:03 GMT

I hope it gets blocked. This is terrible for customers. We have Albertsons, Safeway and Fry's (Krogers) in our state. When Albertsons bought Safeway, prices went up. It will eliminate all competition.

This isn't about savings for customers, it's about a bonus for shareholders and the CEO.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Icegoddess — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:18:23 GMT

@On It wrote:
@Icegoddess We have Smith's which is owned by Kroger. If Kroger buys Albertson's, it has acquired its competition.

Kroger currently owns a number of brands in the Western part of the country including King Super in Colorado which was acquired in the late 1990's. It seems they are trying to gobble up the grocery suppliers out here first.

If you are interested in the root of the problem, search grocery stores owned by Kroger. Then search grocery stores owned by Albertson's. It is quite a long list that would be under one ownership.

@On It Then I wonder why Albertsons would accept Kroger's discount card if they are the competition. Interesting. We also used to shop at King Super before we would head up to the resort when we went to CO.

Around here, it's mostly Kroger and Publix. In fact, Kroger moved to a new spot and built a new store and Publix came in and took Kroger's old spot and rebuilt that. So, they're now fairly close to back to back.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

On It — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:26:10 GMT

@Icegoddess I found the lists if you are interested of stores owned by Kroger and stores owned by Albertson's. (I spelled King Sooper incorrectly in my previous post.)

These are the Albertson's stores.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Icegoddess — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:50:11 GMT

@On It Thank you. I recognize some of the names on the lists but none are here except we have a Star Market. However, I think our Star Market is an independent, locally owned store. It's a small store in the historic district of the city next door. They did expand to put a small pharmacy and a larger grocery in my town.

I thought King Sooper was spelled differently, but I was thinking Souper, LOL.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Love to Run — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:59:27 GMT

Good move! The more competition, the better for consumers!

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

bikerbabe — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:47:06 GMT

A merger is not good for consumers. If it goes through, where I live nearly every store in town will be owned by the same company.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

shelbyshelbyshelby — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:53:58 GMT

No merger !!Many jobs will be lost .

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Desert Lily — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:23:37 GMT

When I lived on the West coast, I shopped at both Smith's & Albertson's. Over the years, Albertson's changed owners a couple times. The last time they were purchased, Albertson's had nice renovations & better food choices. I think Top Chef used Albertson's on at least one season.

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

Desertdi — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:26:20 GMT

Albertson's prices are MUCH higher than Kroger where I live...

Re: FTC Sues to Block Albertson's/Kroger Merger

tansy — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:37:07 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I hope they do get to merge! I'd love to see that.

What's your reasoning for wanting the two companies to merge, @Sooner? Curious because I do not see any advantage for customers.