For shoppers of both Albertsons and Safeway grocery stores, the "major merger" was a huge topic of conversation Thursday night.
"My reaction is honestly, there goes another good chain down the drain," said former Albertsons employee Zach Monroe, in Burien.
"I wonder what this will mean for my Albertsons. I don't trust Cerebus, the company that's doing this deal," he said.
Albertsons and Safeway, the nation's second-largest grocery chain, announced Thursday that they will merge together under the control of New York-based Cerebus, the holding company that owns Albertsons stores nationwide.
The merger means Safeway, which runs 81 stores in KIRO 7's viewing area, will merge with Albertsons, which runs 65 stores in similar locations.
The stores certainly share similar footprints in the Seattle area. In fact, some local Albertsons and Safeway stores are practically across the street from each other.
"I don't see anything good that's going to come from being owned by the same company, unless they completely keep the brands separate," said Zach Monroe, who noted Albertson's and Safeway stores in Burien are less than half a mile apart. "I doubt they'll keep both stores open. If one is underperforming, they’re going to close it," he said.
The CEO of Albertsons explained the merger will make both stores more efficient, because they will both be able to purchase groceries from distributors more cheaply, passing the savings on to customers.
Walter Young, who is a loyal Safeway customer, told KIRO 7 that Safeway has its own card, and that gives him bargains for being a loyal customer. "I'm concerned that will go away, and Safeway also sells gas for a discount. Albertsons doesn't even sell gas," he said.
Grocery store industry analysts believe in the long run, the merger could mean stores will consolidate. They predict some locations will have to close, although they believe the closures may not happen for several years.
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