Price Chopper, Tops Markets to Divest Stores for Merger Approval

Two New York-based supermarket chain operators agreed to divest 12 stores to gain FTC approval for their deal to merge, settling the regulator’s concerns over its impact on grocery competition in the state and neighboring Vermont.

Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Market Corp. Feb. 8 announced their deal, which would nearly double their stores in the Northeast. PriceChopper/Market 32 is owned by the Golub Corp.

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint over the proposed merger Nov. 5, arguing that the deal violates antitrust law by creating 11 highly concentrated markets across New York and Vermont.

To gain FTC approval, ...