I would think so, but if the non-compete deal was made as part voluntarily splitting up the company, I could understand the argument that there's no net harm to

I would think so, but if the non-compete deal was made as part voluntarily splitting up the company, I could understand the argument that there's no net harm to the consumer. In my experience in the US, grocery stores have way more competition than stores in most other retail sectors. It's also one of the few retail sectors in the US where regional brands tend to outcompete the national brands. I'm not sure the main cause of that, but I'd be interested to find out.