Kroger Anticipates FTC Approval of Raley's Purchases

CINCINNATI - Kroger Co. president David B. Dillon said yesterday he expects approval of the chain's acquisition of 18 Raley's stores in Las Vegas to come down soon from the Federal Trade Commission.

"We are working with the FTC to answer any questions that it may have concerning our plans for the stores," said Dillon, "We are hopeful that the FTC's review process will be completed as soon as possible so that we can finalize the acquisition and begin converting stores to our Smith's and Food 4 Less banners."

A noted supermarket industry analyst, Burt Flickinger of Strategic Resource Group in New York City, told Progressive Grocer that he expects acquisition activity to heat up given new leadership at the FTC. "New commissioner Tim Muris will be open to acquisitions that may have stalled before," he said.

Kroger, No. 1 on Progressive Grocer's Super 50 list of top supermarket chains, operates more than 2,400 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, and Dillon.
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