Editing Albertsons (section)

===Post-Safeway: Acquisitions, conversions, expansions, and selloffs===
As a result of the Albertsons-Safeway merger, Albertsons began to look to divest some stores in geographies where the merger could cause a high market share.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Ridley's Family Market buying Sheridan Safeway, three other Wyoming stores|url=https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/ridley-s-family-market-buying-sheridan-safeway-three-other-wyoming-stores/article_0246e1a1-cbb4-5247-aed4-b46a9b79ecab.html|access-date=2021-09-04|website=The Sheridan Press|date=December 20, 2014 |language=en|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904024508/https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/ridley-s-family-market-buying-sheridan-safeway-three-other-wyoming-stores/article_0246e1a1-cbb4-5247-aed4-b46a9b79ecab.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of these stores including one Albertsons and three Safeway stores in Wyoming were sold off to [[Ridley's Family Markets]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Andrew Server|date=2015-03-27|title=Albertsons becomes Ridley's Family Market|url=https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/2015/03/27/albertsons-becomes-ridleys-family-market/|access-date=2021-09-04|language=en-US|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904024510/https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/2015/03/27/albertsons-becomes-ridleys-family-market/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Former Albertsons and Haggen - Tigard, Oregon.JPG|thumb|An Albertsons that turned into [[Haggen (supermarket)|Haggen]] before shuttering in [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]], [[Oregon|OR]]]]
Also at the time of the Albertsons-Safeway merger, the 18-store Pacific Northwest chain Haggen purchased 146 West Coast Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, and Safeway locations that had to be sold due to anti-trust concerns, paying $300 million, plus spending $100 million to rebrand the stores.  The FTC had hoped this would create a regional competitor for Albertsons.<ref name="Judge approves" />  On September 1, 2015, Haggen announced that the company had filed a lawsuit against Albertsons LLC and Albertsons Holdings LLC ("Albertsons") seeking more than $1 billion in damages.<ref name="sue-$1bil">{{Cite news | url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/haggen-sues-albertsons-for-1-billion-over-big-grocery-deal/ | title=Haggen sues Albertsons for $1 billion over big grocery deal | newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] | first=Ángel | last=González | date=September 1, 2015 | access-date=September 16, 2015 | archive-date=September 9, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909102546/http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/haggen-sues-albertsons-for-1-billion-over-big-grocery-deal/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The complaint, which was filed that day in United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleged that following Haggen's December 2014 purchase of 146 Albertsons and Safeway stores, Albertsons engaged in "coordinated and systematic efforts to eliminate competition and Haggen as a viable competitor in over 130 local grocery markets in five states", and "made false representations to both Haggen and the FTC about Albertsons's commitment to a seamless transformation of the stores into viable competitors under the Haggen banner".<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.haggen.com/press-releases/haggen-sues-albertsons/|title=Haggen Sues Albertsons for Damages|date=September 1, 2015|publisher=Haggen|access-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907030020/http://www.haggen.com/press-releases/haggen-sues-albertsons/|archive-date=September 7, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

A week later Haggen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and began the process of closing all but a few dozen 'core' stores in the Pacific Northwest.<ref name=bankruptcy>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/struggling-haggen-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/|last=González|first=Ángel|date=September 9, 2015|title=Struggling Haggen files for bankruptcy protection, parts with Southwest co-CEO|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-date=November 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101181241/http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/struggling-haggen-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter 11 Petition|url=http://www.pacermonitor.com/view/CFBGOYY/Haggen_Holdings_LLC__debke-15-11874__0001.0.pdf|website=PacerMonitor|date=September 8, 2015|access-date=November 16, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021540/http://www.pacermonitor.com/view/CFBGOYY/Haggen_Holdings_LLC__debke-15-11874__0001.0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>  Albertsons would buy back 33 of the stores being sold at auction.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article65105702.html | title=How would Albertsons swallow up Haggen? |newspaper=[[The Bellingham Herald]] | first=Dave|last=Gallagher | date=March 9, 2016 | access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref>  In January 2016, Albertsons settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay $5.75 million to Haggen, and subsequently reached an agreement to acquire the remaining 29 'core' Haggen stores located in Washington and Oregon for $106 million, the deal being approved on March 29, 2016.<ref name="Judge approves">{{cite web|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/judge-approves-sale-of-haggen-to-albertsons/|title=Judge approves sale of Haggen to Albertsons|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402103806/http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/judge-approves-sale-of-haggen-to-albertsons/|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the deal, 15 stores would still operate under the Haggen banner, with the rest converted to Albertsons locations.

During this time, the Albertsons family experienced further changes. On January 11, 2016, it was announced that the three remaining Albertsons stores in Florida, located in [[Largo, Florida|Largo]], [[Altamonte Springs, Florida|Altamonte Springs]] and [[Oakland Park, Florida|Oakland Park]], would be re-bannered as Safeway; this marked the first time that the Safeway brand would exist on a supermarket operation in Florida.<ref>{{cite news|title=Safeway store coming to Altamonte Springs|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/01/11/safeway-store-coming-to-altamonte-springs.html|access-date=January 23, 2016|publisher=Orlando Business Journal|date=January 11, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206074115/http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/01/11/safeway-store-coming-to-altamonte-springs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It would also re-align the stores toward the Eastern Division. In 2016, smaller acquisitions included [[Homedale, Idaho]]-based Paul's Market and [[Santa Rosa, California]]-based G&G Supermarkets. Both brands were closed before they were converted into Albertsons and Safeway stores, respectively. Additionally, the [[United Supermarkets]] subsidiary acquired seven locations from [[Sweetwater, Texas]]-based Lawrence Brothers. These were converted into United Supermarkets or Albertsons Market stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/united-acquire-7-texas-new-mexico-stores |title=United to acquire 7 Texas, New Mexico stores |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312053241/http://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/united-acquire-7-texas-new-mexico-stores |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In late 2016, it was announced that [[Andronico's]] in the San Francisco area would be acquired as well. These stores would become "Safeway Community Markets" and still hold what made Andronico's unique, including chef-prepared items. When the first store reopened in February 2017 under the ownership of the Northern California division, it was still bannered as Andronico's due to an issue in obtaining local permits but the other stores were able to reopen as Safeway Community Markets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/03/01/2-safeway-community-markets-formerly-andronicos-now-open-north-berkeley/|title=2 Safeway Community Markets, formerly Andronico's, now open in North Berkeley|date=March 1, 2017|website=Berkelyside.com|access-date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312054406/http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/03/01/2-safeway-community-markets-formerly-andronicos-now-open-north-berkeley/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 17, 2017, the Randalls store in south [[Katy, Texas]], serving the [[Cinco Ranch, Texas|Cinco Ranch]] area closed. On March 6, 2017, shortly after the Katy Randalls closure, it was announced that the [[Houston]]-[[Greater Houston|area]] distribution center near [[Cypress, Texas]], would be closed and the operations consolidated in the [[Roanoke, Texas]], Tom Thumb distribution center in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]] to supply the Houston- and Austin-area stores instead. Also, the Houston Division offices would be folded into the legacy Albertsons's South Division offices in [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supermarketnews.com/marketing/albertsons-combining-2-texas-divisions|title=Albertsons combining 2 Texas divisions|date=March 9, 2017|website=Supermarketnews.com|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326225931/http://www.supermarketnews.com/marketing/albertsons-combining-2-texas-divisions|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the stores in the Albuquerque market were realigned toward the United Supermarkets division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmidpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/February-17-Newsletter.pdf|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170310172714/http://www.pmidpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/February-17-Newsletter.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Presence News|date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2017|website=Archive.is}}</ref>
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On September 20, 2017, Albertsons acquired meal kit company [[Plated (meal kits)|Plated]] for $200 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.albertsons.com/albertsons-companies-acquires-plated-to-transform-the-food-experience-for-consumers/|title=Albertsons Companies Acquires Plated to Transform the Food Experience for Consumers|date=September 20, 2017|website=Albertsons.com|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214021836/http://www.albertsons.com/albertsons-companies-acquires-plated-to-transform-the-food-experience-for-consumers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the time after the Albertsons-Safeway merger, Albertsons was experimenting with different banners, converting many stores to Safeway, including many Colorado Albertsons locations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-09-08|title=9 Denver Albertsons stores converting to Safeway|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/9-denver-albertsons-stores-converting-safeway|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Supermarket News|language=en|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904024517/https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/9-denver-albertsons-stores-converting-safeway|url-status=live}}</ref> With this rebranding also came additional closures, such as [[Centennial, Colorado]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/10/21/centennial-albertsons-store-to-close-in-november.html|title=Centennial Albertsons store to close as 8 convert to Safeways|access-date=2021-09-04|website=www.bizjournals.com|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510112058/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/10/21/centennial-albertsons-store-to-close-in-november.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some exceptions include [[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]] and Durango in Colorado, which are owned by a different division.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Rich Laden|title=Three Albertsons stores in Colorado Springs to become Safeway groceries|url=https://gazette.com/business/three-albertsons-stores-in-colorado-springs-to-become-safeway-groceries/article_d42a0edd-1a6c-5926-bd2a-3ebee2ea5159.html|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Colorado Springs Gazette|date=July 11, 2017 |language=en|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904024506/https://gazette.com/business/three-albertsons-stores-in-colorado-springs-to-become-safeway-groceries/article_d42a0edd-1a6c-5926-bd2a-3ebee2ea5159.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Albertsons Express expansion ====
To start off 2018, Albertsons began to reenter the fuel market, opening a brand new Albertsons Express in Boise, ID at the site of a former Pizza Hut; this also introduced a new concept to the state of Idaho's gas stations, where the pumps are chip-credit-card enabled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 2, 2018|first=Greg|last=Lindenberg|title=Albertsons Opens Reimagined C-Store and Fuel Center|url=https://cspdailynews.com/company-news/albertsons-opens-reimagined-c-store-fuel-center|access-date=2021-09-04|website=CSP Daily News|language=en|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904024509/https://www.cspdailynews.com/company-news/albertsons-opens-reimagined-c-store-fuel-center|url-status=live}}</ref> At least one Albertsons Express from the original generation of Albertson's fuel centers located in Hillsboro, Oregon,<ref name=":0" /> remained open in the relaunch of Albertsons Express. As of September 2021, there are exactly seven Albertsons Express across America. They are located in Idaho with three sites; and in Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas with one site each.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-04|title=7 Albertsons Express Locations {{!}} Gas Rewards, Diesel, Fuel|url=https://local.fuel.albertsons.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904005618/https://local.fuel.albertsons.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-09-04|access-date=2021-09-04}}</ref>

==== Additional acquisitions and closures ====
On February 20, 2018, Albertsons announced plans to acquire [[Rite Aid]], subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albertsons Companies and Rite Aid Merge to Create Food, Health, and Wellness Leader|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180220005785/en/Albertsons-Companies-Rite-Aid-Merge-Create-Food|website=BusinessWire|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=20 February 2018|language=en|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152937/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180220005785/en/Albertsons-Companies-Rite-Aid-Merge-Create-Food|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to retaining the stand-alone Rite Aid pharmacies, its [[Osco Drug and Sav-on Drugs|Osco and Sav-on]] pharmacies located in Albertsons's existing stores were expected to be replaced by Rite Aid pharmacies. On August 8, 2018, Rite Aid announced that the plan had failed to please shareholders and the proposed acquisition would be canceled.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/08/rite-aid-and-albertsons-agree-to-terminate-their-merger.html|title=Rite Aid and Albertsons agree to terminate their merger|last=Hirsch|first=Lauren|date=2018-08-08|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-08-09|archive-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809152939/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/08/rite-aid-and-albertsons-agree-to-terminate-their-merger.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

That same year, Albertsons closed several stores across multiple divisions, including all three Safeway stores in Florida. These stores were sold to [[Publix]] for an undisclosed price. With the closing, Albertsons officially exited the state, which it had been in since the late 1970s when they acquired their Skaggs Albertsons stores.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Publix Acquires Florida Safeway Stores {{!}} Newsroom|url=http://corporate.publix.com/about-publix/newsroom/news-releases/publix-acquires-florida-safeway-stores|website=Publix Super Markets|language=en-us|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725021226/https://corporate.publix.com/about-publix/newsroom/news-releases/publix-acquires-florida-safeway-stores|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the company divested its share in [[Casa Ley]], selling it to Tenedora CL del Noroeste.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-17|title=Albertsons sells Casa Ley stake, posts Q3 ID sales decline|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/albertsons-sells-casa-ley-stake-posts-q3-id-sales-decline|website=Supermarket News|language=en|access-date=January 28, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128021936/https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/albertsons-sells-casa-ley-stake-posts-q3-id-sales-decline|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Dangerous Duty.jpg|thumb|Checkouts at a Safeway during COVID-19]]
Also that year three new Lucky locations in Utah opened, two in West Valley City and Salt Lake City, replacing the last two Super Saver stores, and one in Tooele, replacing a former Albertsons store.
The next year, a location in [[West Jordan, Utah]], opened, replacing another Albertsons that closed in the late 2000s.

In 2019, Albertsons opened Albertsons Market Street in Meridian, Idaho, a [[flagship store]] located in a converted [[Shopko|ShopKo]] store and based on the Market Street brand of United Supermarkets. This became Albertsons's largest store at 110,000 square feet and featured a variety of departments exclusive to the store or found rarely in the chain, including an oyster bar, a full bar area, and in-house sausages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Albertsons Market Street Store is a Food Paradise|url=https://progressivegrocer.com/albertsons-market-street-store-food-paradise|website=Progressive Grocer|date=April 15, 2019 |language=en|access-date=January 28, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128021704/https://progressivegrocer.com/albertsons-market-street-store-food-paradise|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, around the same time, a new [[Andronico's]] Community Markets opened in Monterey, California, the first new store to be branded as such.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-03|title=New Andronico's to open its doors next week; store will feature Starbucks|url=https://www.montereyherald.com/new-andronicos-to-open-its-doors-next-week-store-will-feature-starbucks|website=Monterey Herald|language=en-US|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423000403/https://www.montereyherald.com/2019/01/03/new-andronicos-to-open-its-doors-next-week-store-will-feature-starbucks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Albertsons announced the closing of a distribution center in [[Upper Marlboro, Maryland]], laying off up 520 people. Albertsons said its duties will be shifted to an existing distribution center in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], which will add up to 300 workers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cooper|first=Rebecca|date=30 January 2020|title=Safeway parent will lay off 520 in Prince George's County|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/01/30/safeway-parent-will-lay-off-520-in-prince-george-s.html?iana=hpmvp_wash_news_headline|journal=Washington Business Journal|access-date=January 31, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423000404/https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/01/30/safeway-parent-will-lay-off-520-in-prince-george-s.html?iana=hpmvp_wash_news_headline|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Albertsons's total sales experienced a growth of 27% compared to the previous year. The rise in sales and higher traffic came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in gross sales of $22.8 billion in the second quarter of 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-books-higher-sales-amid-coronavirus-11595852513?mod=business_lead_pos6|title=Albertsons Books Higher Sales Amid Coronavirus|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=July 27, 2020|last=Kang|first=Jaewon|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727234629/https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-books-higher-sales-amid-coronavirus-11595852513?mod=business_lead_pos6|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the company finally went public in June 2020 after years of delays.
<ref>{{Cite news|last=Terlep|first=Jaewon Kang and Sharon|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-prepares-for-an-ipo-again-11578941243|title=Albertsons Prepares for an IPO, Again|date=2020-01-13|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2020-03-06|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=March 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306171934/https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-prepares-for-an-ipo-again-11578941243|url-status=live}}</ref> The potential [[Initial public offering|IPO]] for the company could be valued at around $19 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/albertsons-reportedly-preparing-ipo-after-failing-multiple-times-grocery-cerberus-2020-1-1028814011|title=Grocery giant Albertsons is reportedly preparing to go public after failing multiple times in the past {{!}} Markets Insider|last=Reinicke|first=Carmen|date=2020-01-13|website=markets.businessinsider.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217152925/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/albertsons-reportedly-preparing-ipo-after-failing-multiple-times-grocery-cerberus-2020-1-1028814011|archive-date=February 17, 2020|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref><ref>[https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1646972/000119312520065176/d817604ds1.htm Form S-1 of Albertsons Companies Inc.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621083219/https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1646972/000119312520065176/d817604ds1.htm |date=June 21, 2020 }}, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Driebusch|first1=Corrie|last2=Kang|first2=Jaewon|date=2020-06-18|title=Albertsons Kicks Off Roadshow, Setting Up IPO for Next Week|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-looks-to-price-ipo-between-18-and-20-a-share-11592514861|access-date=2020-06-19|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619175650/https://www.wsj.com/articles/albertsons-looks-to-price-ipo-between-18-and-20-a-share-11592514861|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Repko|first=Melissa|date=2020-06-26|title=Albertsons CEO says grocery operator's IPO is 'a great accomplishment' amid coronavirus pandemic|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/26/albertsons-ceo-says-ipo-is-a-great-accomplishment-amid-coronavirus-pandemic.html|access-date=2020-06-26|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627173748/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/26/albertsons-ceo-says-ipo-is-a-great-accomplishment-amid-coronavirus-pandemic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the time of going public, one more division change was announced when the Mid-Atlantic Division was created by combining Eastern and ACME Markets, and based out of ACME's headquarters in Malvern, PA <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-01|title=Safeway/Eastern, Acme To Merge HQ To Create Mid-Atlantic Division|url=https://www.foodtradenews.com/2020/07/01/safeway-eastern-acme-to-merge-hq-to-create-mid-atlantic-division/|website=foodtradenews.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412180210/https://www.foodtradenews.com/2020/07/01/safeway-eastern-acme-to-merge-hq-to-create-mid-atlantic-division/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, Albertsons submitted a winning bid for the [[Kings Food Markets]]/[[Balducci's]] chain. These will be merged into the Mid-Atlantic Division.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Acme Markets wins bid to buy 27 Kings, Balducci's stores|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/acme-markets-wins-bid-buy-27-kings-balducci-s-stores|website=Supermarket News|language=en|access-date=October 16, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017191040/https://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/acme-markets-wins-bid-buy-27-kings-balducci-s-stores|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Acquisition by Kroger ====

On October 14, 2022, [[Kroger]] announced its intent to merge with Albertsons, with Kroger acquiring all Albertsons shares and divesting some stores to secure regulatory approval. The $24.6 billion transaction was expected to close in early 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Repko |first=Melissa |date=October 14, 2022 |title=Kroger agrees to buy rival grocery company Albertsons for $24.6 billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/14/kroger-agrees-to-buy-albertsons-for-24point6-billion.html |publisher=[[CNBC]] |accessdate=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018230048/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/14/kroger-agrees-to-buy-albertsons-for-24point6-billion.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kroger and Albertsons Companies Announce Definitive Merger Agreement |url=https://ir.kroger.com/CorporateProfile/press-releases/press-release/2022/Kroger-and-Albertsons-Companies-Announce-Definitive-Merger-Agreement/default.aspx |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Kroger Corporate |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014115441/https://ir.kroger.com/CorporateProfile/press-releases/press-release/2022/Kroger-and-Albertsons-Companies-Announce-Definitive-Merger-Agreement/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The announcement was met with criticism due to the potential for monopolies to form in some U.S. cities that have few other grocery chains, as well as [[food desert]]s that would form from store closures.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Paul |date=October 19, 2022 |title=In Seattle, Kroger-Albertsons merger raises fears of closures, 'grocery deserts' |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/in-seattle-kroger-albertsons-merger-raises-fears-of-closures-grocery-deserts/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |accessdate=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140412/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/in-seattle-kroger-albertsons-merger-raises-fears-of-closures-grocery-deserts/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Raymond |first=Art |date=October 17, 2022 |title=If grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons merge, will consumers win or lose? |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/10/17/23409177/kroger-albertsons-merger-will-consumers-pay-more |work=[[Deseret News]] |accessdate=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018074505/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/10/17/23409177/kroger-albertsons-merger-will-consumers-pay-more |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 1, 2022, [[Attorney General of Washington|Washington Attorney General]] [[Bob Ferguson (politician)|Bob Ferguson]] filed a lawsuit in [[King County Superior Court]] against Albertsons and Kroger seeking to halt the payment of a $4&nbsp;billion dividend to Albertsons shareholders. The lawsuit aims to prevent Albertsons from winding down operations and preparing store closures during regulator review of the merger.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Paul |date=November 1, 2022 |title=WA sues to block $4 billion Albertsons dividend ahead of Kroger merger |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wa-sues-to-block-4-billion-albertsons-dividend-ahead-of-kroger-merger/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102014146/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wa-sues-to-block-4-billion-albertsons-dividend-ahead-of-kroger-merger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other state attorneys general have also investigated the merger according to [[Reuters]].<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2022 |title=U.S. state attorneys general probing Kroger deal for Albertsons |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-state-attorneys-general-probing-kroger-deal-albertsons-2022-10-26/ |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102074815/https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-state-attorneys-general-probing-kroger-deal-albertsons-2022-10-26/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2024, the FTC sued to block the acquisition stating that the deal would negatively impact consumer prices and workers' wages.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Creswell |first=Julie |date=February 26, 2024 |title=F.T.C. Sues to Block Kroger-Albertsons Grocery Store Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/business/ftc-kroger-albertsons-merger.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

In February 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) and attorney generals in eight states filed an anti-trust lawsuit to stop the merger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sisco |first=Josh |date=2024-02-26 |title=FTC, states challenge Kroger's $25 billion grocery merger with Albertsons |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/26/ftc-krogers-albertsons-grocery-merger-00143287 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title=FTC Challenges Kroger's Acquisition of Albertsons |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/ftc-challenges-krogers-acquisition-albertsons |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Federal Trade Commission |language=en}}</ref> The case went to trial in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sisco |first1=Josh |last2=Brown |first2=Marcia |date=2024-08-26 |title=Feds take grocery merger to court amid 2024 fight over high food prices |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/26/feds-grocery-merger-fight-00176231 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> 

In October 2024, Albertsons settled a lawsuit filed by prosecutors in five California counties. The allegations include [[Price gouging|price overcharging]] and false weight advertising.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miskell |first=Dani |date=2024-10-04 |title=Albertsons, Vons settles nearly $4M lawsuit for price overcharges and false weight advertising |url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/albertsons-vons-settles-nearly-4m-lawsuit-for-price-overcharges-and-false-weight-advertising |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=DA'S OFFICE HOLDS ALBERTSONS AND VONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS |url=https://rivcoda.org/albertsons_vons_overcharging |website=rivcoda.org |publisher=Office of the District Attorney: County of Riverside}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hasrter |first=Clara |date=2024-10-04 |title=Albertsons to pay $3.9 million over allegations it overcharged, lied about weight of groceries |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-03/albertsons-to-pay-3-9-million-over-allegations-it-overcharged-lied-about-weight-of-groceries |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In December 2024, "a federal court issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday against the proposed merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, siding with the Biden administration. … The $25 billion deal would have merged the country's second and fourth-largest grocers by market share, with Kroger trailing only Walmart and Albertsons sitting behind Costco."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.axios.com/2024/12/10/kroger-albertsons-merger-blocked-preliminary-injunction | title=U.S. District judge places preliminary injunction on Kroger-Albertsons merger }}</ref>

On December 11, 2024, Albertsons Companies, Inc. announced the termination of its merger agreement with Kroger. This decision followed injunctions issued 
by the U.S. District Court in Oregon and the King County Superior Court for the State of Washington, which blocked the proposed $25 billion merger. In response to the failed merger, Albertsons filed a lawsuit against Kroger in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging willful breach of contract and seeking billions of dollars in damages. The termination entitled Albertsons to an immediate $600 million termination fee and removed contractual constraints on pursuing other strategic opportunities. Following these events, Albertsons announced plans to accelerate its "Customers for Life" strategy, increase its quarterly cash dividend by 25%, and authorize a $2 billion share repurchase program.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 2024 |title=Albertsons Files Lawsuit Against Kroger for Breach of Merger Agreemen |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211517822/en/Albertsons-Files-Lawsuit-Against-Kroger-for-Breach-of-Merger-Agreement }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 2024 |title=Albertsons Terminates Merger Agreement |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211817240/en/Albertsons-Terminates-Merger-Agreement }}</ref>