Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Thursday that her office has launched an anti-trust investigation of the proposed merger between The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. .
“Hardworking Arizonans struggle daily to put fresh, healthy food on the table for their families and have already suffered through devastating price increases over the past year," Mayes said in a statement."In addition to skyrocketing prices, the proposed merger raises questions about the potential for store closures that could force consumers to travel farther for groceries — possibly creating food deserts that disproportionately affect minority communities.
“Thousands of employees will also wonder whether their jobs will still exist if the merger is finalized. And even if they remain employed, workers may have to worry whether their wages or benefits will decrease," Mayes said."Farmers and ranchers also fear that a consolidated supermarket giant might wield unfair buying power that would force them out of business in favor of corporate producers.
Both companies have argued that the merger will not have very many antitrust issues and both companies said they— especially in markets like Phoenix where both grocers have a heavy presence.