A controversial proposed $25 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons has temporarily been halted.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser released a statement on Thursday morning.
“I am pleased that Kroger and Albertsons agreed to halt their plans to merge until the court rules on the state’s lawsuit to permanently block the grocery merger,” said Weiser.
Kroger and Albertsons are the parent companies of King Soopers/City Market and Safeway. The move has been contested by Weiser and others from the beginning due to concerns it would negatively impact jobs, food prices and eliminate competition. Weiser filed a lawsuit in February to block the merger.
The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons was introduced in 2022. Since then, Colorado’s Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission have filed lawsuits to stop the merger.
If the merger were to happen, Safeway stores, currently owned by Albertsons, would be sold to C&S Grocers.
In our area Safeway currently operates a store in Chadron, Alliance, Scottsbluff and two in Rapid City.
Kroger says no stores would close as a result of the possible deal.