Howard Fischer Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating whether to try to block the proposed merger of the state's two largest grocery chains.
There's also the question of whether the merged company will close stores, forcing some people to travel farther. Mayes also wants to know how all of this would affect the 35,000 workers now employed by both firms. "The people of Arizona have important input to make here, people who live in the neighborhoods where a Fry's or a Safeway or a Smith's could be shut down,'' said Mayes, a Democrat elected to the office in November.
It also claims that after the deal is closed, Kroger will invest $500 million to lower prices, $1.3 billion into Albertsons stores"to enhance the customer experience,'' and $1 billion"to continue raising associate wages and comprehensive benefits.
Bashas' operates 118 stores, mostly in Arizona, under that name as well as under Food City and AJ's Fine Foods.