PORTLAND, Ore. — 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.The two companies proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in October 2022. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to try to block the deal, saying it would eliminate competition and raise grocery prices in a time of already high food price inflation.
“We can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people. Our workers, our communities and our customers deserve better.”The labor union also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.For people in many communities across the U.S.