Kroger-Albertsons deal faces key hurdles, presents opportunities, analysts say

Editor’s note: After reports surfaced last week that a deal was in the works for Kroger to buy Albertsons, the Cincinnati Business Courier reached out to analysts to get their take on a potential merger. Because the Courier originally published this story on Oct. 13 prior to the deal being announced Oct. 14, some updates have been made throughout.

A merger between Kroger Co. and Albertsons Companies Inc. makes sense operationally but could be tough to get regulatory approval, analysts said before…