Grocery merger could devastate rural communities, residents warn AG Kris Mayes – By Lacey Latch (Arizona Republic) / Apr 15 2023
Prescott, hometown of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, was the latest stop as she hosts listening sessions about the potential merger of two of the state’s largest grocery store chains, Kroger Co., parent company of Smith’s and Fry’s Food & Drug Stores, and Albertsons Companies, which operates supermarkets under the Albertsons and Safeway brands.
Mayes is investigating whether the merger would violate the state’s antitrust laws. She is just one of a handful of attorney’s general across the West that are looking into this deal, she said.
The Wednesday meeting was attended by a handful of local elected officials and residents from surrounding towns including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey, Wilhoit and Chino Valley. Almost everyone expressed concerns about the merger reducing competition and prompting closures, which they said would have widespread impacts.
