SEATTLE — Shareholders of Associated Grocers here are scheduled to vote in mid-September on whether to approve the merger of AG by Unified Grocers, the Los Angeles-based member-owned cooperative. The two companies, which said in May they had signed a letter of understanding to merge, signed an asset purchase agreement late last week. If AG shareholders approve the sale, as they are expected to do, the deal will close before the end of the month. Contrary to its earlier belief, Unified said the deal does not require federal approval. The expanded Unified Grocers will account for volume of nearly $4.1 billion, including $3 billion of its own and approximately $1.08 billion from AG.

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