SOUTHLAND - The Federal Trade Commission has approved the merger of Albertsons and Safeway supermarkets. The companies said that Albertsons planned to finish the acquisition of Safeway in the next five business days.

The merger will bring together two big players in the food retail space, with combined sales of approximately $61.6 billion.

In order to get FTC approval, Safeway and Albertsons had previously agreed to divest 168 stores in eight states — 111 from Albertsons and 57 from Safeway — and agreed to settlements with attorneys general in California, Nevada and Washington.

The proposed merger had originally been announced March 2014. (Source: Supermarket News)

Story Date: February 4, 2015