Independents / Regional Grocers

ATLANTA -- Ahold USA here is reportedly negotiating to divest between 40 and 50 stores in the New York-New Jersey area to win approval from the Federal Trade Commission for its acquisition of Pathmark Stores, Carteret, N.J.In response to vague trade reports -- which quoted unnamed sources close to the FTC saying commission attorneys might recommend that the FTC sue to block the merger -- Pathmark

byElliot Zwiebach