FTC Challenges Kroger Merger

the Federal Trade Commission has begun a trial to block Kroger's $25 billion merger with Albertson arguing that it would reduce competition and harm consumers in the grocery industry despite Kroger's promises to lower prices and divest nearly 600 stores to CNS Wholesale grocers the FTC and several states have filed lawsuits claiming the merger would lead higher grocery prices and weaken Union bargaining power the trial overseen by US District Judge Adrien Nelson will explore the merger potential impact on competition with other state challenges set to follow Fox Business has reported