INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION: SPARTAN BUYS VG'S

One of the last sizable family owned supermarket chains in Southeast Michigan is being bought by Spartan. This should allow them to better compete with larger rivals...

• Kroger
• Meijer
• Walmart

Spartan has been on an acquisition tear the past few years. Chains they have acquired include...

• VG's [Pending 2008/2009]
  
• Felpausch Food Centers [2007]
  
• D&W Food Centers [2006 Spartan Stores acquired D&W Food Centers adding 16 supermarkets to its retail base for a total of 68 stores.]

Spartan Stores: 'Very little will change' when Fenton-based VG's Food and Pharmacy comes under new ownership

FENTON -- A staple in the community and one of area's last independent family-owned chains, VG's Food & Pharmacy has been bought up by the Spartan Stores chain.

The move helps the hometown chain compete with supermarket bigwigs -- including Meijer and Wal-Mart stores that also have been expanding in Genesee County, said David J. Livingston, a supermarket industry analyst...

What are your thoughts on supermarket industry consolidation?