This week, President Biden’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it is suing to block the proposed mega-merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons. Whether you shop at Safeway, Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, Fry’s, QFC, Smiths, Harris Teeters, Shaws, Kings, Randalls, or any one of about 20 other brands, almost any grocery store you enter is likely to be owned by Kroger or Albertsons. If the merger were to go through, the combined operation would include over 5,000 stores, about 4,000 pharmacies, and almost 700,000 employees across 48 states.
The proposed nearly $25 billion merger between the nation’s second and fourth largest grocery chains would consolidate over 15% of the U.S. market, compared to Walmart’s 27% and Costco’s 9%, which would drive up prices for consumers, and drive down wages for workers. The FTC’s action to halt the merger could set a precedent that will help shape antitrust efforts across the U.S. for years to come.
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Sister Bea
