The same goes for Kroger/Albertons, and Walmart's footprint is broader than Kroger and Albertsons combined.

FWIW, I live in Seattle, one of the few areas of the US where your comment applies (Kroger and Albertsons nearby, but not Walmart). I could probably get to 20 of these companies' stores (QFC, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Albertsons) faster than the nearest Walmart. The merger doesn't faze me because we also have Costco, Amazon Fresh, Trader Joe's, PCC, Met Market, and a smattering of independent grocers and co-ops.