Many Oregonians are experiencing the hardships of shrinkflation and inflation, especially in their grocery budgets, and want cheaper prices, sales, and more options.
Your Oregon News asked readers where they stand on a proposed grocery merger between Kroger and Albertsons.
Most readers, nearly 80% of respondents, are against this major grocery merger. About 15% said they are for it; and 5% are undecided.
About 62% of readers said they are against major grocery mergers in general, but 22% are undecided.
Many readers said less competition will equal higher prices for limited food choices, and that this merger could lead to layoffs and grocery store closures that could create food deserts, as well as harm local farmers. Others said it could lower prices and add store improvements.
Here’s what Your Oregon News readers are saying about major grocery mergers:
Reader: “I’m very concerned about consolidations eliminating choice and reducing access, particularly for our brothers and sisters facing food insecurity.”
Reader: “My town only has two grocers. If they merge, it eliminates competition.”
Reader: “Kroger is a big supermarket chain. Albertsons-Safeway is already a big supermarket chain. What's the purpose of merging, and who's the winner? Big grocery is about money, money, money.”
Reader: “A merger will reduce competition and increase prices.”
Reader: “I find that when grocery companies merge or large corporations take over one, like Fred Meyer and Kroger, that they have less interest in the community. Workers are not treated as well and a corporation in another part of the county does not value the community as well as one that is headquartered in the Pacific Northwest.”
Reader: “When Kroger takes over, the selections quickly diminish and prices quickly increase. Stores close, creating quality food deserts.”
Reader: “Lack of competitive choice between or among nearby grocery stores will mean higher prices. Right now in my town, there are two big stores, and they compete with prices and quality of food.”
Reader: “It is really none of our business if two private businesses merge. If they start acting irresponsibly it is my opinion that the free market will provide another option.”
Reader: “Competition helps keep prices stable.”
Reader: “We already lost one grocery store to the Safeway-Albertsons merger. We likely would lose at least one more in the new proposed merger because the stores near us are a Fred Meyer and a Safeway. I expect the selection of food and products to reduce and prices to go up. We have two seniors on Social Security living with us. They have had to change their shopping to afford food as it is.”
Reader: “The continued merger of large and small grocery stores has all but eliminated competition, real help and service, as well as competitive prices and a wider range of product choices.”
Reader: “Fred Meyer has discontinued several items I regularly purchase. I have found two items at Albertsons and Safeway. Will they disappear after merger?”
Reader: “Mergers like this will raise the cost of food.”
Reader: “There are pros and cons to mergers in general, in the current grocery business, it’s go big or go away. For the average family, mergers mean lower prices and in the case of the Kroger-Albertsons merger there are many reasons why it makes sense, not the least of which are the hundreds of jobs in the balance at the Fred Meyer distribution center.”
Reader: “It should lower prices due to the stores being able to buy products in larger quantities but it may raise prices depending on the business model of the store. I guess that would be up to the owner.”
Reader: “Less competition, higher prices.”
Reader: “Without competition, greedy grocers run rough shod by hiking prices over poor consumer.”
Reader: “This merger will mean fewer choices and higher prices, and fewer pharmacies.”
Reader: “Less choice. Less availability fewer stores. More profit for large corporations. Pressure on mom and pop stores.”
Reader: “It’s not a big deal.”
Reader: “We've been through this before, twice, with Albertsons/Haggen and Albertsons/Safeway. The promises made are never kept, resulting in the closure of stores, loss of jobs and increased pricing.”
Reader: “Loss of competition leads to high prices and choked supply lines. Mergers and acquisitions are the killers of healthy competition and a healthy economy and good living — except for the filthy rich 1% who love monopolies.”
Reader: “When Safeway and Albertsons merged, stores in our community were sold to Haggen, which subsequently failed. The Haggen bankruptcy left derelict buildings in our community for years.”
Reader: “We will drive further for groceries at the best prices for us.”
Reader: “I live in West Linn. We lost our Albertson's due to a Merger. We had a great store in each section of West Linn. Now we have none near 10th Street. Safeway is on Top of the Hill and then we have Walmart and Market of Choice in Northeast West Linn.”
Reader: “Stock is already limited to Kroger brands in some stores; if there is a merger this will only increase. I want a broad selection of brand-name goods.”
Reader: “It would give the corporation the market on pricing and we would never see another 'SALE' sign again.”
Reader: “There can't just be a select few companies that control the supply chain.”
Reader: “This merger would mean fewer choices. If only a few major corporations own most grocery chains, it will squeeze out smaller and local vendors from placing their products on store shelves. Basically, most large grocery stores will have the same stuff.”
Reader: “It will only drive up prices through reduced competition. Also, I am very concerned about potential impacts to local farmers and agriculture industry in the Pacific Northwest.”
Reader: “Regulators ignore the fact that Walmart has been allowed to expand to the point where they are the ones controlling the grocery business to eventually put the unionized grocery sector out of business.”
Reader: “They will have a monopoly and can set whatever price they want.”
Reader: “The lack of competition is a problem. The costs of groceries will go up. Also, mergers result in stores closing. Why compete with yourself. This leads to food deserts, especially in low-income areas.”
Reader: “Stores would not have incentive to offer specials or competitive prices.”
Reader: “It limits competition, makes fewer choices, and feels too corporate.”
Reader: “Our only option eventually will be WinCo and Walmart both non Union chains.”
Reader: “Lack of competition hurts everyone. Workers suffer poor wages and bad working conditions. My budget for food is double what it was in 2020 and I’m cutting back.”
Reader: “I hope the merger goes through because our Safeway in town is crappy and I would love to see a new grocer move in there.”
Reader: “My concern is lack of choice and price-gouging. Food shouldn't be monopolized.”
Reader: “Obviously, food prices will increase since there is no competition, which obviously means our food budget will suffer.”
Reader: “Prices will continue to be high or go up even more. Kroger and Albertsons have some of the highest prices on the grocery market as it is.”
Reader: “Less grocery stores mean less competition and higher prices. Groceries are already expensive from Covid/inflation and this would just make it a lot worse.”
Reader: “The merger with further eliminate choice and likely cause price hikes. I’m also worried that it will lead to store closures.”
Reader: “We need competition too keep prices down.”
Reader: “If the merger goes through, then it will decrease the choices that my family has for shopping.”
Reader: “This could monopolize our small area causing higher prices for everyday necessities.”
Reader: “We need more choices, not less options for consumers.”
Reader: “Wilsonville lost a grocery store owned by a local family. Safeway acquired the Thriftway store franchise owned by a regional family. Albertson’s closed when merged with Safeway. We now have only Fred Meyer and Safeway as large grocery stores. The Kroger/Safeway merger would essentially leave the town with one store. Residents would be required to travel out of town, if they have the means, to use services or shop for items offered by the “only” store in town.”
Reader: “I shop at WinCo, I don’t like the other three.”
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