Kroger and Albertsons merger will divest six D.C. area Harris Teeter grocery stores

By Grace Bennett

A $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons is in the works with a recently released list of all the divestitures. While the merger is still pending approval due to union opposition and a lawsuit, C&S Wholesale Grocers has agreed to acquire that which is divested, including six Harris Teeter grocery stores in the D.C. area.

Kroger and Albertsons are the parent companies of several chains beyond Harris Teeter—companies such as Ralphs, Acme, Jewel-Osco, and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market, with a total of over 5,000 stores. Put together, they would represent more than 20% of the grocery store market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this would mean that Kroger and Albertsons’s deal would affect one out of every six grocery laborers.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union opposes the merger for this very reason. They state that such a development would harm workers, shoppers, suppliers, and communities alike. Following the initial announcement of the planned merger in October 2022, the Federal Trade Commission sued in February 2023. Eliminating price and quality competition—as well as giving companies increased leverage over employee benefits and wages—was too much of a risk.

Should the merger be approved, though, C&S Wholesale Grocers agreed in April that they will take on the 579 stores, the six distribution centers, and the one dairy plant that would be divested. C&S is the parent company of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain.

“We are also very excited to welcome thousands of highly skilled grocery retail, store and distribution team members from Kroger and Albertsons who are currently responsible for these supermarkets,” says C&S Vice President Lauren La Bruno. She adds, “C&S will recognize the union workforce and maintain all collective bargaining agreements.”

C&S has also promised not to close any stores as a result of the merger, nor will they cut any jobs. The stores which will be divested include six Harris Teeter locations in the D.C. area.

Out of Maryland, individual locations within Germantown and Olney will be divested among others. The same will occur in Virginia for three stores, including two in Arlington and Purcellville, as well as Navy Yard within D.C. itself. The total 579 stores that would be impacted by the merger range across 19 states.

“C&S is well prepared to successfully operate these stores for many generations to come,” La Bruno says. “We have an experienced management team with an extensive background in food retail and distribution, and the financial strength to continue investing in growth.”

The merger has not yet been finalized, but developments will move forward if the lawsuit is resolved in favor of Kroger and Albertsons’s deal.