IF Piggly Wiggly can be broken up 100 years ago for a monopoly, certainly Kroger-Albertson’s/Safeway is approaching that. Here in Phoenix, Fry’s (Kroger) is a strong #1 with Safeway/Albertson’s a strong #3. Wal-Mart is not a true supermarket (the meat section alone disqualifies it). Basha’s is a distant #4 or worse and not found in Phoenix proper. Most of the other players are specialty/warehouse/bulk (Winco, Aldi, Costco, Smart & Final), Froo-froo (Whole Foods, Sprouts, AJ’s), far from complete stores (99 cents, Dollar Tree) or Spanish-serving (Food City, El Super, Ranchero).
This merger is a done deal. No negative effect on consumers. Excess stores will be spun off under their own ipo. The free market works again.