DENVER — A total of 91 Safeway locations in Colorado will be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers under a new agreement in the ongoing saga of the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons.
The new plan involves selling 579 Kroger and Albertsons stores in markets where they overlap to C&S, a New Hampshire grocery supplier and operator, for $2.9 billion. Under the initial divestiture plan, announced in September, C&S had planned to purchase 413 stores for $1.9 billion. There are currently 103 Safeway stores and two Albertsons stores in Colorado. Kroger — operating as King Soopers and City Market in Colorado — will re-banner the 14 retained Albertsons and Safeway bannered stores in the state following the closing of the merger, the companies said in the release.
"Importantly, the updated divestiture plan continues to ensure no stores will close as a result of the merger and that all frontline associates will remain employed, all existing collective bargaining agreements will continue, and associates will continue to receive industry-leading health care and pension benefits alongside bargained-for wages.