This morning, all the news stations have revealed that Kroger’s (the parent company for Smith’s) is buying Albertsons grocery stores. This may change the way many of us in Sun City Anthem shop for groceries. Currently, I go to both venues depending on what I need and their ads showing sale items.
It is true that Albertsons is generally more expensive than Smith’s, but also carries more upscale brands than Smith’s. They also often have lower prices than Smith’s when on sale.
This has brought more questions to my mind when this sale goes through.
1. Will they have one central warehouse for both chain stores which may further cause empty shelves?
2. Will upscale brands currently in Albertsons be eliminated?
3. Will Smith’s force Albertsons to have sales where the customer must buy 4 or 5 of the item in order to receive the “super” sale price? So many residents in Sun City Anthem have households limited to one or two individuals, being a senior community and do not need to purchase quantity and are more concerned with quality items.
4. I have noticed that frequently, the same item in Albertsons, has a shorter expiration date on packages, cans and prepared items than in Smith’s. Because of this, I keep a running list with me with the expiration dates to make sure that item is not too old to buy.
5. Once the sale of Albertsons is completed, will the coupons sent in the mail from Smith’s apply to Albertsons as well?
6. Where does Vons fit into this sale because currently Albertsons and Vons are linked together?
I am curious how our readers of Anthem Today feel about this impending change in shopping for groceries, especially with the prices of food items rising on a weekly basis. Your thoughts would be appreciated.