Kroger buy rival grocery company Albertsons for $24.6 billion

  • Kroger is the second-largest grocer by market share in the United States, behind Walmart, and Albertsons is fourth, after Costco.
  • The companies said Kroger agreed to buy Albertsons for $34.10 a share in a deal valued at $24.6 billion.
  • Combined, Kroger and Albertsons employ more than 700,000 people across about 5,000 stores.

Kroger is the second-largest grocer by market share in the United States, behind Walmart, and Albertsons is fourth, after Costco. Together, Kroger and Albertsons would be a closer second to Walmart.

Both companies’ boards unanimously approved the agreement, which will also need regulatory approval.