Simply Better Brands Corp. (SBBC) is thrilled to announce a significant expansion of its TRUBAR™ brand into the grocery channel. The company has partnered with Albertsons Companies, the second largest supermarket chain in North America, to bring TRUBAR™ to over 500 locations across the United States.
Albertsons Companies has issued a voluntary recall of 12 types of ReadyMeals and deli items due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall affects products sold at Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, and other stores across several states. The contamination originated from a ready-to-eat chicken ingredient supplied by BrucePac. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for recalled items and dispose of them immediately.
Kroger and Albertsons have agreed to sell an additional 166 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers in an effort to address the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) concerns about the merger. The total number of stores sold to C&S will now be 579, ensuring that no storefronts will close, no employees will lose their jobs, and no employee benefits will change upon the merger’s completion. The FTC is currently reviewing the revised divestiture deal and has not yet commented on whether or not it will affect its decision to allow the merger to proceed.
Kroger and Albertsons have agreed to sell 579 stores to meet regulatory concerns, allowing for their merger to proceed. The stores will be acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers, who will operate some under Albertsons and Safeway banners.
Kroger and Albertsons have expanded their divestiture plan in response to concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about their proposed $24.6 billion merger. The companies now plan to sell 579 stores in overlapping markets to C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2.9 billion. This represents a significant increase from the initial plan to divest 413 stores for $1.9 billion. The FTC had previously expressed concerns that the initial plan was inadequate and would not effectively address competition concerns in certain markets. The updated plan includes the sale of Kroger’s Haggen banner and licensing agreements for the Albertsons and Safeway banners in certain states. C&S has committed to keeping all stores open and honoring labor agreements.
