While supply chain issues have pushed the opening of Albertsons into early 2023, the Friday announcement that grocery store giant Kroger is acquiring Albertsons won’t lead to any changes, according to a corporate spokesperson.

“There is no change in plans for the new store in Powell,” said Kathy Holland, regional spokesperson for Albertsons.

On Friday morning Kroger announced its plan to purchase Albertsons for $25 billion and merge the two companies and the variety of brands both run. This combination will expand customer reach and improve proximity to deliver fresh and affordable food to approximately 85 million households.

Together, Albertsons Companies and Kroger currently employ more than 710,000 associates and operate a total of 4,996 stores, 66 distribution centers, 52 manufacturing plants, 3,972 pharmacies and 2,015 fuel centers.

Earlier this month, an Albertsons representative told city council members the store opening, previously scheduled for November, would be delayed until next spring due to major components being delayed by supply chain issues, including the stores main switchboard which is now scheduled to be delivered in April, well over a year after being ordered. 

The grocery store, which will include a liquor department, pharmacy and Starbucks, is replacing the former Shopko on U.S. Highway 14A. The roughly 29,000 square foot building on Powell’s west side was formerly a Shopko store, but the chain went bankrupt and closed in June 2019. Albertsons purchased the facility in January 2020 from a private investment firm that bought up 78 Shopko properties amid the bankruptcy.

The Covid pandemic, which led to disruptions that still reverberate today, first led U.S. states to respond in March 2020.