The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc., and SSC Associates, L.P.; Proposed Consent Agreement With Analysis To Aid Public Comment

Resumen

This consent agreement, accepted subject to final Commission approval, settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts and practices and unfair methods of competition arising from Stop & Shop and SSC Associates' acquisition of the supermarkets owned by Purity Supreme, Inc. Under the terms of the proposed order contained in the consent agreement, Stop & Shop and SSC Associates, among other things, must divest 17 supermarkets within nine months to a purchaser or purchasers approved by the Commission. Seven of the 17 supermarkets to be divested are located on Cape Cod, and all seven must be divested to one acquirer who shall own and operate them as supermarkets. If Stop & Shop and SSC Associates are unable to divest all seven stores on Cape Cod to a single acqurier who shall own and operate them as supermarkets, Stop & Shop and SSC Associates may divest the stores to no more than two acquriers. If Stop & Shop and SSC Associates fail to satisfy any of the divestiture provisions, the Commission may appoint a trustee to divest supermarkets to satisfy the terms of the order. For a period of ten years, the proposed order also would prohibit Stop & Shop and SS