Kroger-Albertson’s Rival Coveted Top Brands, Got ‘Worst Chains’

The company buying almost 600 divested stores from Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. told antitrust enforcers last year that the grocers should be forced to sell off the rights to one of their well-known brands like Safeway, Von’s, Jewel-Osco or Tom Thumb.

In an October 2023 letter to California’s attorney general, C&S Grocery Wholesalers said it would be able to “compete more effectively” if it were able to obtain the exclusive rights to one of those banners and stores or distribution centers belonging to Albertsons rather than a mix of assets from both companies.

C&S didn’t end up getting what ...