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What it was like to work at a grocery store during peak COVID

Jan 23, 2025
For our Economic Pulse series, we're taking a closer look at essential workers' experiences during the height of the pandemic.
"We have an industry that employs millions of people to sell the rest of us food, and they can't feed themselves," said writer Ann Larson of grocery store workers.
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Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger, sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal

Dec 11, 2024
Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement.
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The $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger has been blocked — for now

But would a new FTC chair under President-elect Donald Trump take a different view of the merger between the two grocery store companies?
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What retailers are part of the supermarket ... market?

Sep 19, 2024
The challenged merger between Kroger and Albertsons hinges on what is considered a supermarket.
The FTC's definition of a supermarket does not include club, dollar or organic grocery stores.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The U.S. is suing to block the $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger

Feb 26, 2024
The FTC says the combination would not only lead to higher consumer prices, but set back workers’ bargaining prospects.
The largest supermarket merger deal in U.S. history remains uncertain amid antitrust concerns.
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Amid scrutiny, Kroger and Albertsons say merger may take longer than planned

Jan 16, 2024
Washington state is suing to block the supermarket deal and the FTC and several state attorneys general have raised antitrust concerns.
The proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger has drawn pushback from the Federal Trade Commission and several state attorneys general over antitrust concerns.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Rural towns fear Kroger-Albertsons merger will close stores and raise prices

May 2, 2023
The companies’ plans have drawn skepticism from trade unions, consumer advocate groups and Colorado's attorney general.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks during a town hall meeting in Cañon City about the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons. He said he may challenge the deal in court.
Matt Bloom/CPR News

For public good, not for profit.

How would a Kroger-Albertsons merger change grocery prices?

Oct 14, 2022
Kroger would become a bigger competitor against giants like Walmart, giving it more bargaining power over suppliers.
Though Kroger recently announced plans to buy Albertsons, it's unclear what that would mean for customers' grocery bills.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
The delivery-only method for Kroger comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive market.
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Kroger aims to boost growth by partnering with ghost kitchens

Sep 10, 2021
The grocery chain is teaming up with "restaurants" that only do delivery and take-out.
Scott Olson/Getty Images