The deal will create a network of more than 2,000 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 20 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees. Safeway operates 1,330 stores and Albertsons has 600-plus stores, according to the companies. The combined Safeway and Albertsons supermarket chain will be slightly smaller than Kroger, the largest grocery retailer in the U.S., which has 2,600 stores.