Alina Selyuk

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You might know Kroger as Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Albertsons owns Safeway and Vons. In late 2022, Kroger offered nearly $25 billion to buy Albertsons. Companies argued this was a matter of survival against growing competition from Walmart, Costco, Amazon, even dollar stores.

You might know Kroger as Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Albertsons owns Safeway and Vons. In late 2022, Kroger offered nearly $25 billion to buy Albertsons. Companies argued this was a matter of survival against growing competition from Walmart, Costco, Amazon, even dollar stores.

The Federal Trade Commission did not buy this and warned that combining Kroger and Albertsons would leave shoppers fewer choices and higher prices. The agency sued to stop the deal and has now prevailed in a federal court in Oregon. This does not technically end the deal, but the next steps could be long and arduous, and it is unclear whether the companies will decide to keep fighting.

The Federal Trade Commission did not buy this and warned that combining Kroger and Albertsons would leave shoppers fewer choices and higher prices. The agency sued to stop the deal and has now prevailed in a federal court in Oregon. This does not technically end the deal, but the next steps could be long and arduous, and it is unclear whether the companies will decide to keep fighting.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

In a survey by Cercana, a market research firm, almost two-thirds of shoppers say the higher cost of food and bills, like insurance, has them changing how they shop. People talk about buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. But holiday spending is still expected to grow this year. up to 3.5%.

In a survey by Cercana, a market research firm, almost two-thirds of shoppers say the higher cost of food and bills, like insurance, has them changing how they shop. People talk about buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. But holiday spending is still expected to grow this year. up to 3.5%.

Retailers think shoppers will be drawn by the discounts, hoping to save money on deals. And there's another curious element in shopper surveys. More people say they plan to buy gifts for themselves. Some of these shoppers tend to be wealthier, or perhaps people feel like it's good to treat themselves, especially when something's on sale. Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

Retailers think shoppers will be drawn by the discounts, hoping to save money on deals. And there's another curious element in shopper surveys. More people say they plan to buy gifts for themselves. Some of these shoppers tend to be wealthier, or perhaps people feel like it's good to treat themselves, especially when something's on sale. Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

Hello, hello.

Hello, hello.

Hello, hello.

Well, people are not feeling great about prices, but they are shopping, they are spending. We're likely in for another record holiday shopping season. Already, so far just this month, online shoppers alone have spent almost 10% more this year compared to last year.

Well, people are not feeling great about prices, but they are shopping, they are spending. We're likely in for another record holiday shopping season. Already, so far just this month, online shoppers alone have spent almost 10% more this year compared to last year.

Well, people are not feeling great about prices, but they are shopping, they are spending. We're likely in for another record holiday shopping season. Already, so far just this month, online shoppers alone have spent almost 10% more this year compared to last year.

It's a lot. And that's just as of Wednesday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online transactions.