The proposed megamerger of two major grocers, Kroger and Albertsons, is currently undergoing a legal process in Portland, Oregon. This marks the first significant hearing in the case.
After months of updates on the legal proceedings, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons. The FTC claims that this $24.6 billion deal would eliminate competition and result in higher grocery prices.
Several attorneys general from states such as Arizona, California, District of Columbia , Illinois , Maryland , Nevada , New Mexico , Oregon and Wyoming have joined forces with the FTC to oppose this merger. Additionally,Washington and Colorado have also filed separate cases at state level to block it.
The hearing is expected to last for several weeks as both sides present their arguments. The FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction that would halt the merger while their complaint goes before an administrative law judge within their organization.Susan Musser,the chief trial counsel fortheFTC,statedin her opening argumentsthatthislawsuitispartofanationwideefforttohelpAmericansfeedtheirfamilies.ThishearinghasbeenidentifiedasakeymilestoneinthereviewprocessforthisproposedmergerbetweenthetwogrocerygiantsKrogerandalbertsonsinPortland,Oregon.
