Kroger, Albertsons plan to sell 400-plus stores in connection with $24.6b merger

Grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons announced their plan to sell more than 400 stores and other assets in connection with a $24.6 billion merger proposed in October 2022.

Kroger and Albertsons agreed to sell 413 stores throughout the country to C&S Wholesale Grocers. Together, the companies employ more than 710,000 people and operate nearly 5,000 stores across 48 states and the District of Columbia.

The divestiture plan ensures no stores will close as a result of the merger.

The sale also includes QFC, Mariano's and Carrs brand names. Stores currently under these banners that are retained by Kroger will be re-bannered into one of the retained Kroger or Albertsons Cos. banners following the close of the transaction. In the four states where C&S will have the license to the Albertsons banner, Kroger will re-banner the retained stores following the close of the merger with Albertsons Cos. Kroger will maintain the Albertsons banner in the remaining states. In addition, Kroger will divest the Debi Lilly Design, Primo Taglio, Open Nature, ReadyMeals and Waterfront Bistro private label brands.

The number of stores contained in the divestiture plan by geography is as follows:

• Washington: 104 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores
• California: 66 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores
• Colorado: 52 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Oregon: 49 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores
• TX/LA Guld Coast: 28 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Arizona: 24 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Nevada: 15 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Illinois: 14 Kroger stores
• Arkansas: 14 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Idaho: 13 Albertsons Cos. stores
• New Mexico: 12 Albertsons Cos. stores
• Montana/Utah/Wyoming: 12 Albertsons Cos. stores
• DC/MD/VA metropolitan area: 10 Harris Teeter stores