Does This Mean Twin Falls is Losing Another Major Grocery Store?

The Impact of the Kroger-Albertsons Merger in Twin Falls

Recently, a list was shared outlining the number of Albertsons stores that will be impacted by a pending merger with Kroger. The Albertsons on Addison Ave in Twin Falls is among those stores. This news has raised concerns about the future of their neighborhood store.

Background of the Merger

A merger between Kroger and Albertsons has been in the works since 2022. This deal aimed to combine two of the largest grocery chains in the United States, potentially reshaping the grocery industry.

FTC Intervention - Law Suit Blocking the Merger

The deal has since encountered a significant hurdle with recent intervention by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC has sued to block the merger, arguing that it is anticompetitive. The FTC asserts that reducing competition by merging two of the largest grocery chains could give the new company too much power, reduce competition, and potentially lead to higher costs and quality issues for consumers.

Response from Kroger and Albertsons

In response to the FTC’s lawsuit, Kroger and Albertsons have stated that among other things they will increase the number of stores they’ll spin off to reduce their combined footprint. This move aims to address the FTC’s concerns about reduced competition.

The Fate of Twin Falls Albertsons

Among the ten Idaho Albertsons stores listed to be sold if the merger goes through is the location on Addison Ave in Twin Falls. This raises a pressing question: Does that mean Albertsons in Twin Falls is going to close?

Is the Twin Falls Albertsons Closing?

The short answer is: yes and no. While the future of the Twin Falls Albertsons is uncertain, a complete shutdown is not inevitable. Instead, C&S Family of Companies, the company named to purchase these locations from Albertsons, appears to have every intention of keeping the locations open under one of their existing brands or perhaps they will create a new one. Ideally, if the merger and following the sale of the Twin Falls goes through, it would no longer operate as Abtersons but still provide goods and services under a new company.

When Will We Know for Sure?

It’s worth noting that the current case status is listed as pending, and large mergers like this can take years to finalize. Remember, Kroger and Albertsons first announced the merger in 2022. While the future of the Twin Falls Albertsons remains uncertain, it’s going to take a while for the deal to be completed—if it goes through at all.

The 2nd Twin Falls Albertsons to Close

If the merger does go through this would be the second Twin Falls Albertsons to close up shop. The Everise call cetner off Pole Line in Twin Falls was originally the home of a second Twin Falls Albertsons location, that closed only a few years following it's grand opening.