"The Federal Trade Commission must prevent this supermarket merger from allowing a more dominant Albertsons-Safeway to raise food prices for consumers who have fewer options of where to shop," said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. "Increased supermarket consolidation and mergers increase the cost of food for consumers and this deal comes with an estimated $1 to $2 billion annual price tag at the checkout aisle." The merger would eliminate rivals in many markets and give Albertsons-Safeway a dominant position in many metro areas. In 23 markets, the proposed merger would join two of the top four grocery retailers, eliminating a key competitive rivalry that has helped make grocery prices competitive. In 28 markets, the new Albertsons-Safeway would sell one-quarter of all groceries; in twelve metro areas, it would sell more than one-third of the groceries. "Consumers cannot shop around for bargains if the FTC keeps rubber-stamping supermarket mergers," said Hauter.