Kroger identifies WA stores it will sell in effort to get Albertsons deal approved

Kroger Co. has identified the 579 stores it plans to sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers in an effort to get antitrust regulators’ approval for its $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos.

Cincinnati-based Kroger (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest operator of traditional supermarkets, notified employees Tuesday, July 9, and revealed the list of stores to be sold. The transaction with C&S is contingent on completion of Kroger’s purchase of Albertsons.

Kroger’s planned sales are largely in markets where Kroger and Albertsons, the nation’s second-largest operator of traditional supermarkets, have significant overlap. It plans to sell stores in 18 states and Washington, D.C. (number of locations per state are listed):

Washington, 124
Arizona, 101
Colorado, 91
California, 63
Oregon, 62
Illinois, 35
Texas, 28
Alaska, 18
Nevada, 16
Idaho, 10
New Mexico, 9
Wyoming, 5
Maryland, 4
Utah, 4
Virginia, 3
Louisiana, 2
Montana, 2
Delaware, 1
Washington, D.C., 1.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/07/09/kroger-ids-stores-sell-cs-wholesale-albertsons-ok.html

So selling 124 stores in Washington is supposed to provide more choices and affordable options? Someone's using Republican math.