Two Safeways in Bend, one in Redmond to be sold to C&S if challenged Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through
Among 168 in Oregon, Washington; FTC, 9 states suing to block merger
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two Bend Safeway stores and one in Redmond are among the 186 Oregon and Washington grocery stores that would be sold off if Kroger and Albertsons are allowed to merge, a 2022 proposal that the Federal Trade Commission and nine states, including Oregon, have filed suit to block.
Kroger, the parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC, released a document Tuesday (see in full below) that lists the more than 500 stores, distribution centers and plants Kroger would sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers in an effort to resolve antitrust concerns about a loss of competition if the $24.6 billion merger goes through.
It includes the Safeway (formerly Albertson’s ) at 61555 South Highway 97 in Bend, the East Bend location at 2650 NE Highway 20 and the Redmond Safeway at 1705 S. Highway 97.
The list shows Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell off 62 stores in Oregon, 124 in Washington and 10 in Idaho to C&S. It's not yet clear what branding they would have, though C&S currently operates Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly supermarkets.
A federal lawsuit is set for trial Aug. 26 in Portland after the FTC and nine states sued to block the merger, saying it would reduce competition and give the merged chain too much control over prices and wages, The Oregonian/Oregon Live reported.
