As you identify in your post, the grocery business is highly localized. The FTC identified a ton of cities where their merger would significantly reduce competi

As you identify in your post, the grocery business is highly localized. The FTC identified a ton of cities where their merger would significantly reduce competitive grocery store options. In my city, there are already regions where it's basically a food desert besides the local Kroger and Albertson's chain. If they merge, probably one of the two shuts down, but even if not, the lack of competition means the entire community is at the whims of the regional manager in terms of prices, employment, and overall store quality.