Supermarket Merger Approved, Truckers May Lose Jobs

CINCINNATI (AP) — Shareholders of Kroger Co. and Fred Meyer Inc. approved a merger that would create a grocery company with supermarkets from Virginia to Alaska.

The combined company would have substantial market presence in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.

Under terms of the deal, Kroger will pay about $8 billion and assume about $4.8 billion in debt, a legacy of Fred Meyer's acquisition of the Ralphs grocery store chain.

The companies already have said the Fry's Food Stores Phoenix distribution will be closed if the merger goes and that about 500 Fry's truck drivers and warehouse workers will lose their jobs.

Some may get other jobs at the Fred Meyer's distribution center in suburban Tolleson, and some may land work with Ruan Transportation Systems, which carries Fred Meyer's goods.