Kroger Makes $20 Billion Bid For Shaw’s/Star Market Owner

[broadstreet zone=”59945″]

OHIO – Two of the nation’s largest grocery chains may merge in a deal that is worth $20 billion.

Kroger on Friday, October 14, bid $20 billion for Albertsons Companies Inc.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger operates 2,800 stores in 35 states.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons operates 2,220 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market.

In New England, there are 127 Shaw’s stores.

[broadstreet zone=”59946″]

The two companies combined have more than 700,000 employees.

It is likely that antitrust regulators, especially with the rise in food prices, will review this deal.

If approved, the deal could close in 2024.

[broadstreet zone=”59947″]

If approved, the new merged companies would control about 12-15% of the grocery market in America. It would put them second, behind Walmart, which has about 22%.

Amazon, which bought Whole Foods in 2017, is a growing player in the market. They have 3% but they also plan to launch Amazon Fresh stores soon, including one in Shoppers World in Framingham.

[broadstreet zone=”53130″]