The FTC argued at a three-week trial in Portland, Oregon, that the merger would eliminate head-to-head competition between the top two traditional grocery chains, leading to higher prices for shoppers and reduced bargaining leverage for unionized workers.
FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar said the ruling 'protects competition in the grocery market, which will prevent prices from rising even more.' This statement win makes it clear that strong, reality-based antitrust enforcement delivers real results for consumers, workers, and small businesses.
Had the deal proceeded, Kroger would own approximately 5,000 stores across the U.S. The companies argued at trial that they needed to merge to compete with global conglomerates such as Walmart and Amazon.com.
Opponents, including grocery workers' unions, criticized the merger, asserting it would likely lead to job losses and reduced wages in an already unstable economic environment for workers.
Collection
[
|
...
]