ZiggyDaddyDec 16, 2022
Robert Reich

Kroger projects $4.9 billion in profits in 2022.

Now it's purchasing Albertons, the second largest grocery store chain, for $25 billion.

Albertsons previously acquired Safeway for $9.2 billion.

Why are grocery prices up? Grocery store goliaths are buying the competition.

Dec 15, 2022 at 11:22pmWeb
Show threadLincolnDec 15, 2022
@rbreich do you have a good figure that shows the web of recent acquisitions? I'm having a hard time keeping up tbh
Show threadDemocracy Must SurviveDec 15, 2022
@rbreich This is ABSOLUTELY outrageous! Why are we allowing these mega monoliths to smother competition in every sector of the economy? This cannot stand.
Show threadMikeDec 15, 2022
@rbreich One of the many reasons I shop at Costco and Trader Joe’s!
Show threadAlan O’MalleyDec 16, 2022
@MWilson @rbreich I shop those stores also, but know that TJ’s is owned by same family (Albrecht) who own the German grocery giant, Aldi.
Show threadCraig FroehleDec 15, 2022

@rbreich Kroger is like half the size of Amazon, and Amazon is half the size of Walmart. Maybe Kroger is just trying to stay competitive by scaling up so we don't get left with just two places to buy groceries.

Graphic source: https://www.howtocook.recipes/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/largest-grocery-stores-sales-5b_recipes.jpg

Show threadkim@minaforestDec 15, 2022
@rbreich That's not good.
Show threadDj PadzenskyDec 15, 2022
@rbreich How did the SEC let that one happen?
Show threadSpacklerDec 15, 2022
@dj @rbreich FTC
Show threadDj PadzenskyDec 15, 2022
@JonathanSpackler @rbreich sorry, that’s what I meant.
Show threaddrackshackDec 15, 2022
@dj @JonathanSpackler @rbreich they're all terrified of regulation. Just about every industry is consolidating like but there's very little antitrust action in response.
Show threadJim ChuDec 16, 2022
@dj @rbreich I think it’s actually the FTC which is in charge of antitrust, but no one knows because they’ve been silent.
Show threadKafka if he wasn’t funnyDec 15, 2022
@rbreich I'd make the easy anti-reagan gutting-the-DOJ remark, but now I'm just worried about HEB.
Show threadOldeHippi 🦋🎨🙏🌺Dec 15, 2022
@rbreich Greed is sickening.
Show threadNancy M RuffDec 15, 2022
@rbreich Remember the good old days when phone companies weren't allowed to monopolize the market?
Show threadThat Guy Timmeh!Dec 15, 2022
@rbreich shopping the smaller, regional chains is a way of fighting off the big chains.
Show threadErkMoDec 15, 2022
@rbreich Arrrrgh this is no good! Intense market concentration in this space really diminishes regional/local #foodsecurity. We should be trying, whenever possible, to use CSA, independent grocers, farmers’ markets, and smaller chains. But those options tend to be cost-prohibitive for many.
Show threadDeidzoeb/R Northrup Dec 15, 2022
@rbreich Food manufacturing & distribution are too important to trust to the free market.
Show threadTricycular ManslaughterDec 15, 2022

@rbreich

I'm relying more and more on my local independent carniceria. Good avocados, meats, fish, cheeses, peppers, melons, fresh herbs, all the staples.

Show threadSamboyDec 15, 2022

@rbreich You know, while the local Albertsons has higher prices, they don’t have the constant problems with keeping stock the way the local Ralph’s (Kroger) does.

Hopefully this does mean Albertsons starts having problems keeping the shelves stocked.

Show threadVHaschDec 16, 2022

@rbreich

Last I checked, Kroger already owns 20 grocery store brands.

Last time I shopped there, variety was way down, and prices way up. Even on rubber bands. (Why rubber bands?)

Show threadRocky 💜💙Dec 16, 2022

@rbreich

I thought monopolies were illegal and this is why AT&T/MaBell was broken up back in the day.

Show threadSFborn1940Dec 16, 2022
@rbreich Trickle up economics in action.
Show threadSilentwolfDec 16, 2022

@rbreich

1. Greed
2. Greed
3. Greed
4. Greed
5. Greed

Show threadChris C.Dec 16, 2022
@rbreich Kroger is known to underpay and treat it's workers poorly, so why should it be allowed to dump on even more workers? Indeed, perhaps breaking it up would favor the workers.
Show threadWorkWithNatureDec 16, 2022
and their house brands.
Show threadVagina MonsterDec 16, 2022
@rbreich I absolutely refuse to buy from Kroger or Walmart. Mostly Costco & trade extra produce with coworkers.
Show threadJoe BruinDec 16, 2022
@rbreich I’m new to this App. Can you suggest some sincere, good accounts to follow?
Show threadIJSTruthDec 16, 2022
@rbreich
Show threadEnna BanennaDec 16, 2022
@rbreich monopolies are bad for consumers
Show threadAmitava BoseDec 16, 2022
@rbreich Will the middle class survive in the US? Or is the US now a country divided between the ultra-wealthy and the struggling poor? The divide will likely get worse by the day. The future is full of smiles and sunshine.
Show threadNancyDec 16, 2022
@rbreich ... The grocery chain's name is Albertsons. In California, Kroger is also known as Ralphs grocery stores.
Show threadMark BrownDec 16, 2022
@rbreich it's interesting that the FTC looks at big tech aquisitions but not these massive food chain consolidations.
Show threadlookmanoDec 16, 2022
@rbreich where is the anti trust agency here? Can this be stopped?
Show thread"Dr" Louie TahiniDec 16, 2022
@rbreich
Show threadTarrachalDec 16, 2022
@rbreich What ever happened to monopoly laws? Are theyjust for punishing companies that anger the gov?
Show threadPringlecatDec 16, 2022

@rbreich

Why do we not enforce anti-monopoly laws?

I always hated that stupid game.

Show threadBBDec 16, 2022
@rbreich aren't monopolies like .. bad? Could have sworn my econ teacher taught me monopolies were bad
Show threadJimRuDec 16, 2022
@rbreich Well, at least they pay their hourly workers like crap! Wait, what?
Show threadAnglophylDec 16, 2022
@rbreich This kind of thing is why there are food deserts and is bad for local economies and the environment. Mega grocery chains = mega farms = mega shipping = food waste + meh food
Show threadGaspingForBreathDec 16, 2022
@rbreich on the good side. We’ll only need a single frequent shopper card
Show threadTurd BlossomDec 16, 2022
@rbreich shhhhh inflation. The only thing that’s inflating is the tops bank accounts. Don’t worry some day the trickle will start.
Show threadStephanieofPennsylvaniaDec 16, 2022
@rbreich anti trust issues. Thank you Ronald Reagan.
Show threadDebbieDec 16, 2022
@rbreich an $8 box of goldfish crackers are now $12 ...that's ridiculous. They shouldn't have even been as high as $8.
Show threadCatlantaDec 16, 2022
@rbreich Received a digital coupon from my bank for $25 off a $50 Kroger purchase. Not a deal. Passed. Their staff is not treated well. My local store (1 mile away) is filthy. The prices are exorbitant.
Show threadAilyrrDec 16, 2022
@rbreich here in Oregon, where I live, we have Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer (Kroger), QFC (Kroger), and Winco (independent). With the take-over of Albertson’s/Safeway, it leaves us with Kroger and Winco.
Show threadOut of Control   🇨🇦Dec 17, 2022
@rbreich toss in the fact that farmers struggle, in most cases, to make ends meet. Buy direct from the farmers where possible. May not be cheaper, and in some cases can be a tad more expensive. However, without proper support the farmers will fail and go to corporate farms, where more greed happens.
Show threadMikki B 🐈🐈‍⬛🍷🍻🎶🎷📚Dec 17, 2022
@rbreich unfortunately I love my Pick N Save, which is also Kroger owned. They have the lowest prices in the area, with the exception of Aldi's. If you have their Fresh Perks loyalty card & shop their sales/use their digital coupons wisely, it's worth it. Their premium house brand is every bit as good as major brands but cheaper, & the store is closest to my house. If the regional chain lowered their prices I might consider switching but they're not as convenient to get to.
Show threadJuliaJFeb 24, 2023
@rbreich I buy most of my groceries now on Amazon Fresh. The prices are old-fashioned low, and they deliver for free. What are you gonna do?