Official court ruling or announcement from the relevant legal authorities

Washington State AG Seeks to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger Nationwide Over Price and Closure Concerns

Sep 16, 2024, 02:49 PM

Closing arguments are set for the high-profile Kroger-Albertsons merger antitrust hearings. Washington state's Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit to block the proposed merger, citing concerns that it would raise grocery prices and lead to store closures. Lawyers for Washington state will reference past grocery chain mergers and their negative consequences during the court proceedings. The state aims to block the merger nationwide. The merger has sparked a debate on whether it would drive grocery prices up or down, with the companies arguing that changes in Americans' shopping habits support the merger.