Industry consolidation, food prices already at crisis levels

Today, Kroger announced plans to purchase supermarket chain Giant Eagle. The move is Kroger’s first major transaction after a federal judge blocked its attempted merger with Albertsons in 2024.

According to Food & Water Watch analysis, the top four grocery corporations in America currently control 73.4 percent of the market — Kroger is already the largest traditional supermarket chain, controlling 12.4 percent, alone. Kroger’s takeover of a regional chain like Giant Eagle would have a significant impact on regional consumers, reducing choices and raising prices. 

In response, Food & Water Watch Managing Director of Policy and Litigation Mitch Jones issued the following statement:

“Americans are facing an affordability crisis — this acquisition will only make things worse. The grocery sector has never been more consolidated than it is now, and sky-high food prices are hitting families hard. Federal regulators must halt his harmful merger in its tracks.”

Food & Water Watch research into the Economic Cost of Food Monopolies in the retail grocery, pork, dairy, and egg industries finds that corporate consolidation leads to negative outcomes for consumers, farmers and the environment.