Jewel trades one red owner for another

Chicago area Jewel-Osco is being sold by industry giant Albertsons to Supervalu, a group of independent groceries that operate under a variety of banners. Osco Drugs will be sold to CVS Pharmacy and all stores will be rebranded CVS.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0601240262jan24,1,7150001.story

According to buyblue.org, 82% of Supervalu's political contributions go to the GOP. Albertsons contributes 75% but their total contributions are much larger.

Supervalu has a good industry reputation as a discount grocer. They will not remake Jewel as a discount chain but they have stated their intentions to lower prices. As part of the deal they are selling Chicago area discounter Cub Foods. No buyer has been named.

I don't know CVS's blue rating but their policy on dispensing emergency contraceptives has earned the approval of Planned Parenthood. Walgreen's allows its pharmacists to refuse prescriptions for EC but, thanks to Gov. Blagojevich, they can't do that in Illinois. Ha ha!