People are forgetting that the same folks who have made Mariano’s lousy over the last several years will be the ones running Jewel if this merger is approved… Not holding out hope, the divested stores might actually improve under new management.

Kroger has done a fair job with Pick n’ Save.
But the stores are different depending on the location.
There are two in Kenosha near us and one in Racine somewhat near us.
The closest is in a retirement area and is never fully stocked, runs out of Sales/Specials on the start day of Wednesday.
The one in Racine is in more affluent community but still prone to run out of sales and popular product.
Want Ben&Jerry’s ‘Cherry Garcia’ on sale for $2.99, better get there before 9am on Wed morning.
Fish is mostly farmed and in precut individual portions. We don’t purchase.
Beef is the high point, USDA Choice ‘Black Angus’. The ‘Black Angus’ is all marketing but when the steaks are on sale in ‘Family’ Packs, they are a bargain.
They do not discriminate between T-bone and Porterhouse and lately have been running $7.99 to $8.99/#. Rib and strip $8.99 to $10.99.
Of course this is an agricultural product and varies animal to animal but on the whole it’s the best buy around, anywhere.
I go early and pick out a family pack of the largest tenderloin in a porterhouse.
The tenderloin of one we had last week was as good as anything I have ever had excepting Zier’s and Joseph’s!
There is no lamb and no veal.
Chicken is OK on sale. I purchase as much as I can from my local grower in any event.
Vegetables/ fruit are ok but routinely more than Woodman’s sometimes even on sale.
Canned goods are routinely 50 cents to a $ more per item than Woodman’s.
The sales system is three tiered and to take advantage of the first Tier, you must have a card.
Second Tier is with the APP and you must download the coupon to your card.
Use the coupon and you done.
The third Tier is a $ off per item but you must purchase at least 5 items on your card and again when you done your done.
But if you peruse the electronic flyer, load to your card and come early, some significant bargains are to be had. I suspect not too many people including elders take advantage of sales?
So I bounce between Pick n Save, Woodman’s, Fresh Farms and H-Mart and Mitsuwa for our requirements.
-Richard

Bannockburn also includes Heinen's, Stericycle and a little further south on the east side of waukegan. They will probably also annex the new development going in on the old beesons property on the corner which according to that google map is currently unincorporated.

-Will

I haven't seen much commentary about how C&S will become a much larger player, especially in the West. The list of West Coast plus Colorado and Arizona stores is very long (complete list: https://assets.website-files.com/63128e ... ations.pdf ) It seems like C&S will need to ramp up its distribution network, too. Kroger isn't letting go of that many warehouses.

budrichard wrote:... Pick n’ Save.
But the stores are different depending on the location.
There are two in Kenosha near us and one in Racine somewhat near us.
The closest is in a retirement area and is never fully stocked, runs out of Sales/Specials on the start day of Wednesday.
The one in Racine is in more affluent community but still prone to run out of sales and popular product.
Want Ben&Jerry’s ‘Cherry Garcia’ on sale for $2.99, better get there before 9am on Wed morning.

This is the PickNSave near UW Parkside? Sounds like the Gurnee Marianos, except maybe they don't have a shelf slot for Cherry Garcia, just vanilla and chocolate. Kroger seems clueless about quantities of sale items to order, or they simply don't care about unhappy customers. Curious if you've tried and rejected the Pig, Festival and Fresh Thyme?

Yes, near UW Parkside.
The PIG doesn't' sell USDA Choice beef and the pricing is akin to Pick n Save for most groceries whereas Woodman’s is much cheaper per item as I have Posted.
No experience with Festival or Fresh Thyme.
If I could combine Woodman’s with Fresh Farms I would be very happy!
-Richard

Talked to someone seemingly more knowledgeable in Bannockburn store and she said that the pick n save thing is just a little reshuffling within krogers. She thinks the actual sale will go through sometime in October. She said that a lot of things will remain the same but that the cheese area will not be called Murrays. She wasnt sure about the tinned fish display. Obviously the house brands will no longer be Kroger.

-Will

I'm still not sure this will satisfy the FTC - I wouldn't count any chickens on this deal until it gets blessed. If it drags on past November and the current occupant of the White House isn't reelected*, the other guy would almost certainly let it go through.

I still feel like Chicago will get heavily short changed by this. Even if C&S proves to be a good steward, there's a lot of decline in Mariano's to recover, meanwhile Jewel gets Krogerized.

* trying hard not to use either politician's name

Interesting opinion about the prospective deal at Crain's (paywalled) . . .

at chicagobusiness.com, Ally Marotti wrote:..
At this point, it seems unlikely that the deal will go forward, said Mike Mazzeo, dean of the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. All the pushback coming from the states has added complexity to what was already an uphill battle for Kroger and Albertsons.

With a big election looming, politics also come into play. Inflation has slowed considerably since the deal was first announced. The price of food at home was up 1.1% for the 12 months ended in June, according to the U.S. consumer price index, compared to 13% when the deal was announced. Regardless, the grocery store is one of the most visceral encounters a voter can have with rising prices.

“What’s better in an election year than (saying), ‘We are taking action to make sure that prices for groceries at the supermarket aren’t raised by corporate greed’? ” Mazzeo said. “Inflation of food at supermarkets, it’s pretty negligible over the last, say, six months. But that doesn’t matter. This is politics. The truth in economics never got in the way of politics.”

So why keep trying to push the merger through? Kroger and Albertsons could be running down the clock, waiting to see if there’s an administration change. President Joe Biden’s administration has taken a strong stance on antitrust policy. Former President Donald Trump’s administration was softer, Mazzeo said.

Additionally, terminating the deal would result in “a significant breakup fee for Kroger — to the tune of tens of millions of dollars,” said Brad Haller, a senior partner in the mergers and acquisitions practice at business management consultant West Monroe, in an email.

“Kroger and Albertsons have spent a material amount of time on this deal — internal time, advisor time and stakeholder time — and that also may be a factor for them wanting to hit pause,” Haller said. “A merger of this size takes a ton of brainpower and can cause a distraction for the core business.”

=R=

The sooner this deal closes the better.

I want my cheap cans of SkyLine Chili!

I'm sick of paying the "Meijer Markup" as noted in the Weekly Flyer thread....

I saw earlier that a judge has put it on hold.
https://patch.com/illinois/northbrook/s ... aign=alert

Now that they no longer carry prosciutto in the deli department, the only thing I go for is chuck steaks to make hamburger. Went to the Northbrook store today and got my chuck.

A whole bank of self checkout stations was closed. 6-7 people waiting at the other self checkout stations. The 2 manned lanes had a couple of carts each piled high.

I really feel sorry for folks in smaller towns where Kroger is the best grocery in town.

lougord99 wrote:I really feel sorry for folks in smaller towns where Kroger is the best grocery in town.

Or worse . . . the only option.

=R=

lougord99 wrote:A whole bank of self checkout stations was closed. 6-7 people waiting at the other self checkout stations. The 2 manned lanes had a couple of carts each piled high.

That's been the norm at the Gurnee store for a few years.

lougord99 wrote: I really feel sorry for folks in smaller towns where Kroger is the best grocery in town.

Yeah, many places in WI have only PickNSave. The lucky ones have a local chain or franchise too: Piggly Wiggly mostly, a few Berkots. Note that for the most part WI Pigs are much nicer than IL ones.

One good recent Mariano's experience: I discovered reading my receipt at home that coupons had been incorrectly applied: instead of a 5x $2.30 coupon for cereal, their POS software had applied a $1 coupon. I went to the website, expecting a long song and dance via email or maybe chat. Nope, their chatbot offered a "problem with coupon" option, asked me how much was missed, I said $2.30, it offered me a $3 credit in my account. I've yet to try to collect, and I would have preferred the right thing at the register, but it seems to have worked out. Apparently coupon problems are frequent.

Kroger kicks off dollar bond sale to fund Albertsons tie-up

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/busin ... 871198007/

The supermarket operators have proposed to [...] lower grocery prices by $1 billion.

Maybe that's why everything is so blasted expensive at Marianos these days! Setting up for the $1B markdowns.

at Bloomberg (via chicagobusiness.com) Leah Nylen, wrote:Kroger Co. hiked prices on milk and eggs more than needed to account for inflation, the company’s top pricing executive testified during a court hearing on the US government’s bid to block the Mariano's Fresh Markets parent's purchase of rival Albertsons Cos, parent of Jewel-Osco.

In a March email to his bosses, Andy Groff, Kroger’s senior director for pricing, acknowledged that the company had raised its prices more than required to adjust for higher costs.

“On milk and eggs, retail inflation has been significantly higher than cost inflation,” Groff wrote.

Groff testified about his email as part of an antitrust lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission and a group of states aimed at blocking Kroger from buying the Albertsons chain. US District Judge Adrienne Nelson in Portland, Oregon, is expected to rule on whether to stop the $24.6 billion acquisition from moving forward.

Higher Inflation

Kroger and other grocers have benefited from periods of higher inflation as they passed down price increases to consumers. Supermarket operators raised retail prices instead of absorbing all increases, and higher food prices led to jumps in sales until shoppers pulled back on their spending.

Antitrust enforcers allege the Kroger-Albertsons deal would lead to higher consumer prices since the companies compete head-to-head in hundreds of markets across the US. The grocers say the acquisition would lead to lower prices and better position them to compete against retailers like Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc.

The company’s goal is to “pass through our inflation to consumers,” Groff said in response to questions about his email.

A Kroger spokesperson said: “This cherry-picked email covers a specific period and does not reflect Kroger’s decades-long business model to lower prices for customers by reducing its margins.”

Kroger seeks to be competitive on what it terms “everyday essentials” – five items that customers buy most: milk, eggs, sugar, bananas and iceberg lettuce, Groff said. Every week, Kroger benchmarks its prices on those items against three others: Walmart, Aldi Inc. and a traditional retailer in the market. Albertsons is the “key traditional retailer” in every market where they compete with Kroger, Groff said.

Kroger egg pricing turns merger trial into inflation fight

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

at Bloomberg (via chicagobusiness.com) Leah Nylen, wrote:Kroger Co. hiked prices on milk and eggs more than needed to account for inflation, the company’s top pricing executive testified during a court hearing on the US government’s bid to block the Mariano's Fresh Markets parent's purchase of rival Albertsons Cos, parent of Jewel-Osco.

In a March email to his bosses, Andy Groff, Kroger’s senior director for pricing, acknowledged that the company had raised its prices more than required to adjust for higher costs.

“On milk and eggs, retail inflation has been significantly higher than cost inflation,” Groff wrote.

Groff testified about his email as part of an antitrust lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission and a group of states aimed at blocking Kroger from buying the Albertsons chain. US District Judge Adrienne Nelson in Portland, Oregon, is expected to rule on whether to stop the $24.6 billion acquisition from moving forward.

Higher Inflation

Kroger and other grocers have benefited from periods of higher inflation as they passed down price increases to consumers. Supermarket operators raised retail prices instead of absorbing all increases, and higher food prices led to jumps in sales until shoppers pulled back on their spending.

Antitrust enforcers allege the Kroger-Albertsons deal would lead to higher consumer prices since the companies compete head-to-head in hundreds of markets across the US. The grocers say the acquisition would lead to lower prices and better position them to compete against retailers like Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc.

The company’s goal is to “pass through our inflation to consumers,” Groff said in response to questions about his email.

A Kroger spokesperson said: “This cherry-picked email covers a specific period and does not reflect Kroger’s decades-long business model to lower prices for customers by reducing its margins.”

Kroger seeks to be competitive on what it terms “everyday essentials” – five items that customers buy most: milk, eggs, sugar, bananas and iceberg lettuce, Groff said. Every week, Kroger benchmarks its prices on those items against three others: Walmart, Aldi Inc. and a traditional retailer in the market. Albertsons is the “key traditional retailer” in every market where they compete with Kroger, Groff said.

Kroger egg pricing turns merger trial into inflation fight

=R=

This isn't surprising to those who have been shopping recently, but it's nice to have it confirmed. Stupid, greedy grocery stores!

ronnie_suburban wrote:

at Bloomberg (via chicagobusiness.com) Leah Nylen, wrote:Kroger and other grocers have benefited from periods of higher inflation as they passed down price increases to consumers. Supermarket operators raised retail prices instead of absorbing all increases, and higher food prices led to jumps in sales until shoppers pulled back on their spending.

Kroger egg pricing turns merger trial into inflation fight

=R=

Kudos to Chicago Business for reporting this but isn't this precisely how the free market is supposed to work? I'm not attempting to troll (or defend Kroger) in any way whatsoever. We all make buying decisions everyday based on perceived value, whether we are buying eggs or a vehicle...

Kudos to Chicago Business for reporting this but isn't this precisely how the free market is supposed to work? I'm not attempting to troll (or defend Kroger) in any way whatsoever. We all make buying decisions everyday based on perceived value, whether we are buying eggs or a vehicle...

The fact is that capitalists hate free markets, and the last 40+ years have diluted antitrust enforcement (both red and blue regimes). If there's no competition, like the dominance Frito-Lay has on salty snacks in many outlets, they charge whatever they want.

Not really a rumor but I had an interesting experience at the Mariano’s on Lawrence today. When I parked in the upper lot around 1:30 I noticed maybe 5-6 people had taken over a shopping cart kiosk and were partying. They were sitting on the ground and had food and open alcohol. No chairs or grills, so not really a tailgate but it had that vibe. When I left a little before 3:00, they were still there. One guy was heading towards the store - maybe to use the facilities? Grab some chips? Admire their thinking outside the box but hope it’s not a trend.

It appears that the Big Merger is off: https://internationalsupermarketnews.com/archives/17951

There do seem to be differences in the Chicago area vs. the nationwide situation discussed in the article. First off, Walmart isn't really a grocery player here. I suspect that's due to two factors: Walmart prices (Target as well) are more standardized to national levels and can't compete in Chicagoland where groceries are relatively cheap. Second, Walmart hasn't managed to drive out competitors like it has in other locales.

Next, I don't think Kroger house brands are all that well liked here, so that isn't a big draw for Mariano's. In fact, some people remain disgruntled over the switch from Roundy's house brands to Kroger's.

I do think some of the article's predictions for Albertsons will come true. I wouldn't be too surprised to see some Jewels close.

One more article with Kroger executive quotes: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/kroger ... en/734739/
This one seems a bit silly. Kroger going it alone?? Just check the bottom of Kroger packaging with the list of more than a dozen acquired chains. The big question is which smaller chain they will aim at next, and will it be one with a Midwest presence.

Gift link from NYT
Albertsons Backs Out of Merger Deal and Sues Kroger After Court Rulings https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/busi ... qucFCs3BcF

I'm quite surprised they backed out, seeing as the incoming administration will likely be much more likely to approve such deals. There's probably something we don't know that caused Albertson's to get cold feet.

Some icing for the cake . . .

Albertsons calls off merger and sues Kroger

Grocery chain Albertsons called off its $25 billion merger with Kroger, ending the largest proposed merger in US supermarket history.

“We have made the difficult decision to terminate the merger agreement,” Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran said in a statement Wednesday.

The merger, announced in 2022, sought to combine the fifth and tenth largest retailers in the country. The companies own dozens of grocery chains, including Safeway, Vons, Harris Teeter and Fred Meyer.

Albertsons also sued Kroger for breach of its contract agreement, alleging Kroger caused the merger to be blocked. Albertsons said that Kroger failed to exercise its “best efforts” and to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the merger.

Merry Christmas, to the lawyers!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Some icing for the cake . . .

Albertsons calls off merger and sues Kroger

Grocery chain Albertsons called off its $25 billion merger with Kroger, ending the largest proposed merger in US supermarket history.

“We have made the difficult decision to terminate the merger agreement,” Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran said in a statement Wednesday.

The merger, announced in 2022, sought to combine the fifth and tenth largest retailers in the country. The companies own dozens of grocery chains, including Safeway, Vons, Harris Teeter and Fred Meyer.

Albertsons also sued Kroger for breach of its contract agreement, alleging Kroger caused the merger to be blocked. Albertsons said that Kroger failed to exercise its “best efforts” and to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the merger.

Merry Christmas, to the lawyers!

=R=

Happy Hanukkah to the Jewish lawyers!

The Village of Northfield is hoping to facilitate a new grocery store at 1822 Willow Road after learning that Mariano’s will soon leave that location.

https://www.therecordnorthshore.org/202 ... s-village/

The last few times I was at the Willow store, I was not very impressed. I was there at 4:00pm, and they were out of at least half of the produce items that were on sale, and there was nobody working in produce.

Yeah, and that's one of the Mariano's with freakouts about going in the in door and out the out door.

That area could use some more variety. Maybe an Angelo Caputo's? Or a Tony's? They're expanding. Wasn't too long ago that there was a Garden Fresh not too far from that location. And a Joe Caputo's.

I live 5 minutes from the Elston Mariano’s. This store used to be much better but at this point on the rare occasion I have a need to shop there I make an effort to stop at the Touhy/McCormick one on my way home from work. It’s better, but produce at both is just sad. Particularly herbs like cilantro and parsley. All the green leafy stuff usually looks half dead.

The Touhy/McCormick one is our preferred Mariano's, in part because they have lots of substantial markdowns throughout the store, if you keep your eyes peeled--yesterday I got a 4 oz. box of Maldon smoked salt for $1.25 just because the box was beat up, and we snagged Jose Andres olive oil for $5 when they were clearing their shelves of his line of products. A week or two ago they had fancy tins of anchovies (not near expiration) for about $2 each for the same reason, and I've also got Bonne Maman "frozen dessert" (which I'd never seen anywhere before) for about $2.50. I only recently discovered that they do the same in the floral department--yesterday I spied some beautiful orchids (planted, not cut) for $5. There's no guarantee that you'll get lucky, of course--sometimes it's a goose egg.