Put Kroger and Albertsons merger plan under a Senate microscope

Mariano’s and Jewel grocery stores would fall under a single company under a proposed merger of food giants Kroger and Albertsons (Clare Proctor / Sun-Times)

There’s no wonder supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons are seeking to merge under a $25 billion plan currently on the table.

That’s because how and where America shops for food has become increasingly competitive as big players like Costco, Amazon — with its home delivery service and as owner of Whole Foods stores — and major discount grocers such as Aldi and Walmart have encroached on territories once dominated by old-line supermarket chains.