>> Grocery retailers, too, have become increasingly consolidated. The ongoing Kroger-Albertsons merger, which could be blocked by the FTC, for example, has rais

>> Grocery retailers, too, have become increasingly consolidated. The ongoing Kroger-Albertsons merger, which could be blocked by the FTC, for example, has raised alarm bells from consumer advocates; if the merger goes through, Kroger-Albertsons and Walmart together would control 70 percent of their industry. In fiscal year 2022, Kroger’s operating profit was $4.1 billion — in 2021, it was $3.5 billion. Since the pandemic began, Kroger has paid billions in dividends to its shareholders. This part is key to me. The larger the consolidation, the more they answer to stockholders, and not to customers or competition. Stockholders only care about stock price [1]. There's no value in caring for the consumer class. [1] https://bts.com/2017/11/01/who-do-you-put-first-the-stakeholder-you-choose-defines-your-company-culture/ https://bts.com/2017/11/01/who-do-you-put-first-the-stakehol...