Dive Brief:
- It looks like the Albertsons-Safeway merger could be officially coming soon - the two stores revealed today that pending Federal Trade Commission approval, they have "entered into agreements" to shed 168 stores to four buyers spanning eight states.
- The four buyers include Associated Food Stores, Associated Wholesale Grocers, SUPERVALU, and Haggen - the last of which is receiving the bulk of the stores at 146.
- According to purchase agreement terms, the buyers intend to employ "most, if not all" store workers once the sale is a done deal.
Dive Insight:
It doesn't appear that Sam Zell got his wish after all. "We're pleased to have found strong buyers for these stores and to have completed this important step toward combining Albertsons and Safeway," said Robert Edwards, Safeway's president and CEO, and who will be the joint company's president and CEO.