Progressive Grocer's Top 20 Stories of 2015 - #17-18

#17 - Kroger to Split its Southwest Division

Grocer to create Dallas and Houston divisions to operate stores in Texas and Louisiana

Published July 21, 2015 - The Kroger Co. reportedly plans to divide its current Texas-based Southwest Division into two separate divisions operating out of Dallas and Houston. Prompted by growth in the region, the Cincinnati-based grocery giant will operate its southwestern stores from these two new interdependent divisions, according to published reports. Read More

#18 - Haggen Files Sale of $12M in Assets Back to Albertsons-Safeway

Includes $3.57M in inventory, $8.9M in 'records and goodwill'

Published Sept. 21, 2015 - The proposed sale is the latest attempt on Haggen's part to streamline operations following a series of severe growing pains in the wake of the acquisition – which grew the chain from 18 stores to 164 almost immediately -- which in addition to its Chapter 11 filing, also includes a $40 million lawsuit filed in July by Albertsons Cos. over an inventory dispute, and a $1 billion suit that Haggen filed against Albertsons earlier this month alleging a "coordinated and systematic [effort] to eliminate competition in violation of Federal Trade Commission orders and various federal and state laws." Read More

Check out #19-20 on PG's top story list.