MORE CONSOLIDATION AMONGTS SUPERMARKETS

Everyone’s getting bigger, including supplier, wholesalers and retailers. Albertson's, LLC said yesterday that it intends to acquire Raley's 10 stores in New Mexico, a transaction that would double Albertsons’ store base in the Albuquerque region.

Meanwhile, the merger between Whole Foods and Wild Oats is being held up by the Justice Department for antitrust reasons because both are traditionally organic/natural food grocers. Whole Foods claims its competition is not limited to just that sector and includes traditional supermarkets as well. Both Whole Foods and Wild Oats plan to fight the FTC decision.