(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It appears more Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s grocery stores could be putting up the “for sale” sign.
As part of a nearly $25 billion merger, grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons originally planned to sell around 400 Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s and Food for Less locations nationwide, including 14 in Illinois to C&S Wholesale grocers.
Those numbers have now been raised to nearly 600 stores across the country and 35 in Illinois.
Company leaders said the reason for the increase was to make the deal a bit more appealing to antitrust authorities, who attempted to block the merger earlier in 2024.
In its suit, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission voiced concerns that the merger would make groceries cost more for consumers and potentially lead to layoffs at stores.
Both Kroger and Albertsons have insisted that, even under the new plans, no stores will permanently close and no one will lose jobs.
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