FTC Intensifies Challenge Against Largest-Ever Proposed $25 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Sep 4, 2024, 02:05 PM

Antitrust enforcers are intensifying their efforts against Kroger's planned $25 billion acquisition of Albertsons, the largest-ever proposed grocery merger. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has challenged the merger, excluding Amazon and Costco as competing supermarkets, which has led to accusations of gerrymandering the market definition. The CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons are currently in court defending the merger, arguing that it would result in lower prices for consumers and better competition against retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. Kroger's CEO, Rodney McMullen, attributed rising grocery prices to increasing costs for retailers while defending the merger. Industry experts have noted that C&S, which would operate divested stores, faces significant challenges in maintaining competitiveness. The trial is reportedly not going well for the supermarket giants.