Closing arguments are coming up in the Federal Trade Commission's attempt to block the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and AlbertsonsFILE - Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen leaves federal court after testifying during a federal court hearing on Sept. 4, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Over the course of the three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon, the two companies have insisted that merging would allow them toThe FTC wants U.S.
In testimony during the hearing, the CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger said the merged company would lower prices in a bid to retain customers. They also argued that the merger would boost growth, bolstering stores and union jobs. FTC attorneys have noted that the two supermarket chains 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 and would lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said.
The FTC and labor union leaders also argued that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other. They also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.The FTC says C&S is ill-prepared to take on those stores.
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