According to numerous outlets, a federal judge has halted the $24.6 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons. The Federal Trade Commission had previously argued that the deal would raise prices by eliminating head-to-head competition, and also weaken union bargaining power.
The ruling Tuesday by Judge Adrienne Nelson of the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, notes that “supermarkets are distinct from other grocery retailers.” And as GlobeSt.com previously reported, the FTC has said that the proposed deal will eliminate fierce competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans.
“The loss of competition will also lead to lower quality products and services, while also narrowing consumers' choices for where to shop for groceries. For thousands of grocery store workers, Kroger's proposed acquisition of Albertsons would immediately erase aggressive competition for workers, threatening the ability of employees to secure higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions,” the agency previously wrote.
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