Smith's Food & Drug Centers said Wednesday it will buy 13 Albertson's and Buttrey grocery stores in Montana and Wyoming from Boise-based Albertson's.
The sale allows Albertson's to complete its buyout of Buttrey, announced in January. Buttrey has stores in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming and distribution centers in Great Falls, Mont., and Salt Lake City.The deal allows Salt Lake-based Smith's to enter the Montana market with eight stores. It will add five stores in Wyoming for a total of 10 in that state. The store names will be changed to Smith's.
The sale has been tentatively approved by Federal Trade Commission staffers but not the commission. Two Albertson's in Casper, Wyo., will be sold to another grocer.
Smith's is a subsidiary of Fred Meyer Inc.
Albertson's is acquiring American Stores, a deal that would make it the nation's largest grocer.