What this mega supermarket merger could mean for your grocery bills

In a mega-deal that could have a huge impact on grocery shopping in America, Kroger and Albertsons announced Friday plans to merge. 

Click here to read the story at cnn.com.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is price as it relates to the marketing mix?
2. Why is price such an important function of marketing?
3. In business, what is the difference between a merger and an acquisition?
4. What governmental agency regulates mergers and acquisitions?
5. Why does the government regulate mergers and acquisitions?
6. According to this story, which major supermarket chains have announced plans to merge?
7. Why is that significant?
8. Why might this merger not end up actually happening?
9. According to this story, how might the proposed merger impact prices?
10. What is a store brand?
11. This article suggests a merger could result in more store brands. Why?
12. What is competition?
13. What is a mom-and-pop store?
14. How might the proposed merger impact competition in the grocery space, particularly for mom-and-pops?