FTC Sues to Block the Kroger-Albertsons Merger

“Today, antitrust enforcers made it clear that grocers cannot merge their way to dominance.” 

MINNEAPOLIS – Open Markets Food Program Manager Claire Kelloway released the following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s move to block a merger between two of the nation’s largest grocers, Kroger and Albertsons. 

“We are thrilled to see the Federal Trade Commission stand up to dangerous grocery consolidation that would have harmed workers, farmers, and shoppers. For too long, the U.S. government turned a blind eye to the dangers of super-powerful retailers. Today, antitrust enforcers made it clear that grocers cannot merge their way to dominance,” says Claire Kelloway, food program manager for the Open Markets Institute. “Critically, this case recognizes the harm of grocery mergers on labor markets and organized worker power, particularly highlighting how this deal would undermine unions' ability to negotiate fair collective bargaining agreements. The suit also rightfully calls out the many ways Kroger and Albertsons proposed spin offs to C&S Wholesale would not have preserved fair competition. We’re excited to see antitrust enforcers bring strong, pioneering claims in this case.” 

You can find Claire’s research and reporting on food and grocery consolidation and other unfair practices and their impact on food quality, prices, jobs, and wages here. 

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