Kroger Co. is in talks about a tie-up with rival Albertsons Cos. in a deal that would create a US grocery giant, people familiar with the matter said.
An agreement could be reached as soon as this week, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. No final decisions have been made and talks could still be delayed or falter, according to the people.
These talks come amid a dramatically different dealmaking landscape. Soaring food prices are a key driver behind inflation in the US, while industry consolidation has given top players in the space much greater market share. That could present a number of political and regulatory hurdles for this kind of tie-up, as politicians blame corporate greed for higher prices, while antitrust officials eye tougher merger rules.
Nationwide, Kroger is the No. 2 grocery seller, with a 9.9% market share compared with Walmart Inc.’s almost 21%, according to Numerator. Albertsons is fourth with 5.7%.
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