The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Companies announced on Friday that they will be selling select stores, banners, distribution centers, offices and private label brands to C&S Wholesale Grocers as part of their proposed merger. The sale price for the divestiture was reported at $1.9 billion and includes the QFC, Mariano’s and Carrs brands.
Keene-based C&S Wholesale is set to acquire 413 stores along with eight distribution centers and two offices in addition to exclusive licensing rights for the Albertsons brand name in Arizona, California Colorado & Wyoming; however it is unclear how many stores are included under each banner being purchased by C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Eric Winn – current Chief Operating Officer (COO) of C&S who will become its designated CEO effective October 2nd – expressed his excitement over this opportunity saying “This is another exciting opportunity for us [C&S] to expand into retail market which forms an important component of our long-term growth strategy.”
Kroger & Albertsons have also ensured that no store closures will occur due to their merger through this divestiture process .
