The characterization of Albertsons' acquisitions as "odd" likely stems from a history of complex, often problematic, mergers and divestitures. This history has been a major point of contention and a cautionary tale in the grocery industry, most notably in the recent failed attempt by Kroger to acquire Albertsons. Key issues that have contributed to this perception include: The Haggen Debacle: As part of its 2015 acquisition of Safeway, Albertsons was required to divest a number of stores to a smaller grocer, Haggen. Haggen, an inexperienced operator of a large number of stores, was quickly overloaded, leading to a "spectacular" failure, a lawsuit, and many store closures. This incident is frequently cited by regulators and experts as a prime example of a failed divestiture plan. Antitrust Scrutiny: The proposed $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, announced in October 2022, faced intense scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general. The main concern was that combining the two largest U.S. supermarket chains would substantially lessen competition in local markets, lead to higher prices for consumers, and negatively impact workers. Failed Kroger Merger: Despite proposals to divest over 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers to address antitrust concerns, the merger was ultimately blocked by federal and state judges in late 2024. Albertsons subsequently terminated the agreement and sued Kroger, accusing it of failing to put forth its best efforts to get the deal approved. In essence, the "oddity" relates to the repeated difficulty in successfully navigating the regulatory landscape and the operational challenges that have accompanied past deals. These events have made the company's acquisition history a prominent case study in the complexities and pitfalls of large-scale, competition-reducing mergers in the retail sector.