BOISE -- Albertsons says its purchase of Safeway has been cleared by the Federal Trade Commission.
Earlier, the FTC said the $9.2 billion merger would hurt consumers in 130 markets by reducing competition.
In December, the companies said they would sell 168 stores in eight states. Four buyers are expected to acquire stores in Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Washington, Arizona, California, Nevada and Oregon.
The deal is slated to close within five business days.
