Kroger faces antitrust scrutiny as Columbus market share tops 64%
In January Kroger held just over 52% of the grocery market in Columbus, Ohio, while Giant Eagle accounted for about 12.5%, pushing their combined share above 64% Seventeen Giant Eagle and Market District stores lie within five miles of a Kroger location, raising overlap concerns for regulators
Kroger operates roughly 60 stores in the Columbus area under its traditional supermarket and Marketplace banners, while Giant Eagle runs about 20 stores there under conventional and Market District formats. Kroger’s Marketplace-format stores posted higher average sales volume and sales per square foot than Giant Eagle’s Market District stores in 2023, a lead RetailStat expects to continue. Walmart holds about 16.5% of the Columbus grocery market, ranking second behind the combined Kroger‑Giant Eagle entity. Kroger expects to close its $1.65 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle in 2027, contingent on Federal Trade Commission approval.
“We really think that Columbus is where all the real scrutiny is going to be, and that’s where all the time is going to be invested in taking a look at things,” Michael Infranco, Assistant Vice President, RetailStat said.
Kroger’s plan to acquire Giant Eagle comes after its failed attempt to merge with Albertsons, which fell apart in 2024. When Kroger announced the Giant Eagle deal in July it said it would divest stores to win approval but has not identified which locations or banners would be affected. The retailer also operates stores near Indianapolis and Morgantown, West Virginia, but its share there is too low to trigger divestiture requirements.
What we know
Kroger commanded just over 52% of the grocery market in and around Columbus, Ohio in January
Giant Eagle’s approximately 12.5% portion of the Columbus grocery market
Seventeen Giant Eagle and Market District stores in the Columbus metropolitan area are each within five miles of a Kroger location
Kroger’s $1.65 billion transaction with Giant Eagle is expected to close next year
Kroger expects to close the Giant Eagle acquisition in 2027