You may obtain copies of all documents filed by Albertsons Companies with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov or from Albertsons Companies's website www.albertsonscompanies.com/investors. Supporting and investing in our associates is foundational to both of our organizations and will continue to be a critical pillar of our success. Given the similarities in the culture and values at Kroger and Albertsons Cos., I am confident that the combination will also have a positive impact on our associates and the communities we are proud to serve. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. More mergers and less competition would mean even higher prices - and layoffs for employees.". Following the close of the transaction, Rodney McMullen will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Gary Millerchip will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company. If the merger ultimately goes through, Kroger would control approximately 5,000 supermarkets nationwide, including Albertsons' subsidiaries such as Safeway and Ralphs. As consumers worked from home and ate fewer meals at restaurants, grocery store profits soared. As a combined company, we will build on our similar values to create a culture that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and fosters a best-in-class associate experience by enabling, supporting and empowering our associates to unlock their full potential. Is my store going to be one that closes? We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names. The deal could create "a more formidable. Dozens of Oregon grocery stores owned by Kroger Co. (Fred Meyer and QFC) and Albertsons Cos. (Albertsons and Safeway) are located near other stores and could be considered redundant if the chains . Reuters reported last month that the Federal Trade Commission had asked Kroger to supply more information about the proposed merger. The buyout group was a step closer to a big payday last week when the Washington State Supreme Court declined to review a case brought by the state attorney general that tried to stop a dividend payment to Albertsons shareholders, arguing that it would financially weaken the company if the transaction failed. The grocery giants Albertsons Companies and Kroger are in talks to combine in a deal that could be announced as soon as Friday, four people with knowledge of the plans said. Albertsons was even able to buy back several of the stores . That could lead to some small store closings and some huge players getting even bigger. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. ET. Albertsons announced the. It was founded in the United States as the Independent Grocers Alliance in 1926. How big beyond store count will the new multi-billion-dollar company be in this food fight? A customer shops inside an Albertsons Cos. grocery store in San Diego, June 22, 2020. Given the similarities in the culture and values at Kroger and Albertsons Cos., I am confident that the combination will also have a positive impact on our associates and the communities we are proud to serve. Kroger expects to continue to have a solid balance sheet supported by strong free cash flow of the combined business. News > . Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE|Getty Images, FILE. Albertsons Companies will prepare an information statement on Schedule 14C for its stockholders with respect to the approval of the transaction referenced herein. In connection with obtaining the requisite regulatory clearance necessary to consummate the transaction, Kroger and Albertsons Cos. expect to make store divestitures. Albertsons announced it would pay shareholders about $4bn in special dividends as part of the merger agreement, which would see Kroger spending $24.6bn to acquire Albertsons, with. At closing, the Company plans to fund the transaction using a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from new debt financing. In a statement, Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said, "Albertsons Cos. brings a complementary footprint and operates in several parts of the country with very few or no Kroger stores. Combined, the stores employ more than 700,000 people across 5,000 stores. According to the Coresight. Kroger-Albertsons Merger Faces Long Road Before Approval Consumer advocates, unions and independent grocers are against a deal that would join Kroger and Albertsons, and be lucrative for. Related: U.S. Senate to put Kroger-Albertsons merger under microscope Based on fiscal 2021 data, Kroger and Albertsons combined generated about $210 billion in revenue, $3.3 billion in net . At closing, the Company plans to fund the transaction using a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from new debt financing. It could mean thinner margins for smaller, independent stores and some suppliers; more competition for larger players, and a possible boom for consolidation in the future. Kroger and Albertsons Companies Announce Definitive Merger Agreement Company Release - 10/14/2022 Download the PDF versionPDF Format (opens in new window) Establishes National Footprint to Serve America with Fresh, Affordable Food for Everyone Combines Two Companies with Shared Values to Unite Around Kroger's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit We look forward to working together with Kroger to capture the compelling opportunities ahead. ", "Today's announcement marks the successful outcome of the Board-led review of strategic alternatives Albertsons Cos. announced in February," said Chan Galbato, Co-Chair of the Albertsons Cos. Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Cerberus Operations. Kroger and Albertsons Companies Announce Definitive Merger Agreement October 14, 2022 Establishes National Footprint to Serve America with Fresh, Affordable Food for Everyone Combines Two Companies with Shared Values to Unite Around Kroger's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit "This transaction with Kroger provides substantial value to shareholders and exciting opportunities for associates to be part of a combined organization with the ability to better support the lives and health of millions of Americans. Kroger looks forward to bringing the best of Albertsons Cos.' own omnichannel capabilities to more customers to improve the shopping experience. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The rest of the $9 billion purchase of the Safeway stores was financed with debt, pushing Albertsons total debt to more than $12 billion. BAC The combined company expects to invest $1 billion to continue raising associate wages and comprehensive benefits after close. See the Appendix for a reconciliation of historical non-GAAP measures. ", "Today's announcement marks the successful outcome of the Board-led review of strategic alternatives Albertsons Cos. announced in February," said Chan Galbato, Co-Chair of the Albertsons Cos. Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Cerberus Operations. As part of the transaction, Albertsons Cos. will pay a special cash dividend of up to $4 billion to its shareholders. But the biggest winners in the $24.6 billion deal may be the private-equity giant Cerberus and a group of investors. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Kroger initially said after the Albertsons deal was finalized Oct. 13, 2022, it expected to sell somewhere between 100 and 375 stores. Kroger and Albertsons each already control multiple retail brands, creating the illusion of a large number of independent players. A customer shops in a Kroger grocery store on July 15, 2022 in Houston. Kroger has invested an incremental $1.2 billion in associate compensation and benefits since 2018. Additional Information About Albertsons Companies and Where to Find It. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. The companies have said regulatory approval for the complicatedtransactionwont happen until early next year and may require the sale or spinoff of hundreds of grocery stores. 8:30 a.m. This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the effects of the proposed transaction. The combined company's innovation capabilities, increased manufacturing footprint and expanded national reach will drive improved quality and efficiency allowing its Our Brands portfolio to accelerate growth and profitability while remaining affordable and accessible to customers. But the Albertsons shareholders have been hanging on to this company, or its predecessor, for almost 17 years, and thats a very long holding period for private equity firms. That could occur in California, Texas, Washington, D.C. and/or Phoenix, among others. This is a BETA experience. Numerator.com said Albertsons has been able to retain and develop habitual shopping online, with shoppers picking-up in-store through the companys Drive-Up & Go offering. "The outrage over the payout and the deal is overblown: Albertsons and Kroger are in an industry with razor-thin margins. Associated presentation materials and an infographic regarding the transaction will be available on the investor relations section of each company's website as well as a joint transaction website www.KrogerAlbertsons.com. Albertsons profits rose during the pandemic to $1.6 billion in 2021 from $466 million in 2019. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is visiting communities impacted by the proposed grocery store merger between Albertsons and Kroger. He has advised domestic and foreign clients in the tax-efficient structuring of legal entities, effective tax rate planning, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, treasury. If a merger does . Kroger looks forward to bringing the best of Albertsons Cos.' own omnichannel capabilities to more customers to improve the shopping experience. Delivering Quality, Value, Convenience and Choice for Customers, Continuing Track Record of Investments Across Lowering Prices, Enhancing the Customer Experience, and Increasing Associate Wages and Benefits, Strengthens Kroger's Value Creation Model to Drive Profitability and Enhance Shareholder Returns, Albertsons Companies Shareholders Expected to Receive Total Consideration Valued at $34.10 Per Share, Kroger to Host Conference Call at Cerberus moved into the grocery business 17 years ago when it acquired 655 struggling stores owned by Albertsons sprinkled around Florida, Texas and Northern California for $350 million in equity. ", Accelerates Kroger's Go-to-Market Strategy. Albertsons profits nearly quadrupled to $1.6 billion in 2021 from $466 million in 2019. Thats a lot of people relying on just a handful of companies, and it would mean a few players as huge forces. Kroger has a track record of successful integrations that combine the strengths of each company while maintaining and enhancing each organizations' distinctive banners and storied histories. Overall, 48% of Albertsons approximately 2,270 stores are located within 3 miles of a Kroger-owned supermarket, Creditntell said. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names. are planning a merger that would create a superstore second in scale only to Walmart The Kroger-Albertsons mega-merger would create a company with about 5,000 U.S. stores, a close second to Walmarts 5,335 in the United States. As grocery chains struggled to compete against the big-box behemoths, consolidation happened and private-equity firms moved in, sometimes with disastrous results. You may obtain copies of all documents filed by Albertsons Companies with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov or from Albertsons Companies's website www.albertsonscompanies.com/investors. Appendix: When completed, the information statement will be mailed to Albertsons Companies' stockholders. Our merger with Albertsons provides meaningful, measurable benefits to Americas consumers, associates of both companies and the communities we serve, Kroger said in a statement. Watch out, Walmart? As a combined entity, we will be better positioned to advance Kroger's successful go-to-market strategy by providing an incredible seamless shopping experience, expanding Our Brands portfolio, and delivering personalized value and savings. The financial implications of the deal are enormously complex and complicated further by Albertsons existing debt, which, per Seeking Alpha, currently exceeds $13 billion dollars. The combined company will drive profitable growth and sustainable value for all stakeholders. and Albertsons No further action by Albertsons Cos.' shareholders will be needed or solicited in connection with the merger. Pro forma results as presented in this press release represent the combined Kroger and Albertsons Cos. FY 2021 results and are not intended to represent pro forma financials under Section 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" in each of Kroger's and Albertsons Companies' annual report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year and any subsequent filings, as well as the following: the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory clearance of the proposed transaction; the impact and terms and conditions of any potential divestitures and/or the separation of SpinCo; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others following announcement of the merger agreement and proposed transaction; the inability to consummate the proposed transaction due to the failure to satisfy other conditions to complete the proposed transaction; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Kroger and Albertsons Companies; the ability to identify and recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including anticipated TSR, revenue and EBITDA expectations and synergies; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the proposed transaction; and the ability of Kroger and Albertsons Companies to successfully integrate their businesses and related operations; the ability of Kroger to maintain an investment grade credit rating; risks related to the potential impact of general economic, political and market factors on the companies or the proposed transaction. The transaction is expected to close in early 2024, subject to the receipt of required regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions, including receipt of clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The company said it also hopes to continue its shared progress towards environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. ET. In 2017, when Albertsons turned a small profit, the investment firms paid themselves a cash distribution of $250 million. Later, an attempt in 2018 to cash out of the investment fell through when a proposed reverse merger with Rite Aid was scuttled after the drugstore chains shareholders opposed it. This deal would put all these brands in one basket. ET Today, October 14, 2022. When completed, the information statement will be mailed to Albertsons Companies' stockholders. Another huge grocery retailer could put more pressure on smaller players and change the balance of power in working with suppliers. Albertsons Companies operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. Mar 02, 2023 . The two grocery store chains and investment firms involved insist the deal isnt about a payday for investors. Numerator.com found that Albertsons e-commerce share nearly tripled for the 12 months ended September 30. And even independent grocery store chains are fretting about the merger, saying it will result in higher food prices and make the already competitive landscape more difficult.
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