The Kroger-Albertsons merger announcement came hard and fast. So has the reaction from grocery retail industry stakeholders and observers.
Wall Street analysts say the $24.6 billion deal, despite facing high regulatory hurdles, will create a supermarket company with the reach and resources to fend off big retail grocery competitors like Walmart and Amazon. It also would bring the combined operator a range of benefits from more economies of scale, such as significant cost savings, lower prices for shoppers, and more workforce and omnichannel investment.
