According to informed sources, the Federal Trade Commission is unimpressed with the proposal that C&S will acquire as many as 400 stores in an attempt to overcome concerns over a potential oligopoly from the proposed merger of Albertson’s Corp. with the Kroger Company.  In all probability, FTC will litigate to protect consumer interests through maintaining competition in the retail food sector.  The proposal to divest stores to C&S is eerily reminiscent of the 2015 event with Safeway divesting 146 stores to Haggen that was unable to manage them and filed for bankruptcy.

It is a matter of record that states attorneys general and the major unions representing workers are opposed to the merger, intensifying FTC scrutiny and regulatory action.