Source: CPI
In the latest development surrounding Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, it has come to light that before selecting C&S Wholesale Grocers as its divestiture partner, Kroger considered offers from multiple parties, including Aldi and Save Mart. This information was disclosed during oral arguments in the antitrust case filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nine state attorneys general, according to the Denver Gazette.
Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, ultimately chose C&S Wholesale Grocers, the nation’s largest grocery wholesaler, to acquire 579 stores as part of the merger plan. The deal, if approved, would see C&S expanding its retail footprint, adding to its current operations of about two dozen physical stores across the U.S. However, this decision has raised concerns about C&S’s limited experience as a retailer compared to other interested parties, such as Aldi and Save Mart.
According to the Denver Gazette, oral arguments in a related antitrust case in Colorado revealed that both Aldi and The Save Mart Companies had likely shown interest in purchasing the stores. Aldi, which operates around 2,400 stores nationwide, was noted as one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the U.S. The company has a history of acquisitions, including the purchase of Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets in 2023. Aldi began converting some of these stores into its own brand earlier this year. Despite its expansive presence, Aldi does not currently operate in Colorado.
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