Attorney General Aaron Ford announced a series of listening sessions regarding the pending grocery store merger between Albertsons (Albertsons, Safeway and Vons) and Kroger (Smiths). The proposed merger is being reviewed to determine its impact on Nevada grocery stores. August 21 2023. Brian Ramos
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 | 3:46 p.m.
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Lina Kahn will be in Las Vegas on Wednesday for a trio of listening sessions as the Nevada Attorney General’s Office mulls possible legal action to stop the merger of national grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons.
The sessions are a chance to collect public comments on the merger, which could impact grocers, employees and consumers, state Attorney General Aaron Ford said.
“It is incumbent upon my office to review a corporate merger of this scale under the Unfair Trade Practices Act to determine its impact on trade and Nevada consumers,” Ford said in a statement.
“Considering the potential implications, it is important for me to hear directly from Nevada customers to fully understand their concerns about the grocery store merger,” Ford said.
Khan’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kroger announced plans last year for a $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons, with the intent of closing the deal in the first quarter of 2024.
Officials in 14 other states are holding similar listening sessions, Ford said at his first listening session Aug. 28 at Las Vegas City Hall.
The deal has already raised objections from multiple states. A Federal Trade Commission antitrust probe is also ongoing.
Last week, Kroger announced the sale of 413 stores, including 15 Albertsons stores in Nevada, to grocer C&S to clear regulatory hurdles. The company wasn’t able to say which stores would close, citing FTC rules.
Under state law, the Attorney General’s Office has the authority to review the proposed merger to insure it does not “unfairly disrupt competition” and is “fair to local grocery stores, consumers, employees and others,” according to a news release.
“I’m thrilled that Chair Khan will attend listening sessions around the Las Vegas area during this process,” Ford said. “We are happy to welcome her to Nevada and look forward to hearing the public’s concern about the potential merger.”
The scheduled listening sessions Wednesday are at 10 a.m. at the Henderson City Council Chambers, 340 S. Water St.; 1 p.m. at the North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Suite 112; and 5 p.m. at the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club, 800 N. Martin L. King Blvd. in Las Vegas.
Ford visited Pahrump on Aug. 31 and is scheduled to have two listening sessions in Reno on Oct. 10 and Oct. 12.
Additional listening sessions in Carson City and Elko will be announced later, according to the release.
The rest of the tour dates are as follows:
• 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive, Las Vegas.
• 6 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Parkdale Recreation Center, 3200 Ferndale St., Las Vegas.
• 6 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Doolittle Community Center, 1950 J St., Las Vegas.
• 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas.
• 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Paradise Community Center, 4475 McLeod Drive, Las Vegas.
Ford’s office is also encouraging people to take an online survey to share their thoughts on the proposed merger.
