SAFEWAY-KROGER RUMORS CONTINUE

Industry speculation about an acquisition by Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif., of Kroger Co., Cincinnati, just won't go away.Expectations have been heightened since the announcement in August of a planned acquisition by Albertson's, Boise, Idaho, of American Stores Co., Salt Lake City.But last week supermarket analysts were split on whether the speculation has any validity.Safeway and Kroger officials