DEE-ANN DURBIN and CLAIRE RUSHWho is Kroger merging with? The grocery store chain wants to merge with Albertsons, and is defending its plan in federal court.Supermarket chain Albertsons told a federal judge Monday that it might have to lay off workers, close stores and even exit some markets if its planned merger with Kroger isn't allowed to proceed.in October 2022. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to prevent the $24.
Musser said Kroger and Albertsons currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition, she said, and will lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed. The two sides also disagree on Kroger and Albertsons' plan to sell 579 stores in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.
The commission also alleges that workers' wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other. The labor union also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy "deserts" for consumers. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson is expected to hear from around 40 witnesses, including the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons, before deciding whether to issue the preliminary injunction. If she does decide to temporarily block the merger, the FTC's in-house hearings are scheduled to begin Oct. 1.
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