The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. is the second group in a month to try to enlist the aid of the state attorney general to take moves to avoid a possible supermarket monopoly in the area if the merger of Hughes Family Market and Ralphs Grocery Co. is successful.
"If this merger goes through, Ralphs will have a monopoly on the market," said Richard Close, president of the association. "They will be able to raise prices at will."
Officials for Ralphs parent company, Yucaipa Cos., have called the possible merger a cost-cutting move that would allow the company to lower prices.
The Sherman Oaks homeowners group is the second association to contact Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren. In December, the Studio City Residents Assn. wrote a similar letter to him.
