Kroger and Albertsons defended their plan to merge – and tried to overcome the U.S. government's objections – in a federal court hearing that began Monday in Oregon.
In the three-week hearing that opened Monday, the FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction that would block the deal while its complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge. Kroger operates Smith's and owns more than 50 locations in Utah. There are 2 Albertsons supermarkets in the state. "Enough is enough," said Carol McMillian, a bakery manager at a Kroger-owned grocery store in Colorado. "We can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people. Our workers, our communities and our customers deserve better."Salt Lake City shoppers react to stock market tumble as spending habits shift
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 injunction.