Northwest lawmakers join push to block Kroger-Albertsons merger

Aug. 2, 2024 at 5:30 pm Updated Aug. 2, 2024 at 7:22 pm

By Paul Roberts

Opponents of the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons got some high-profile backup Friday when around two dozen U.S. lawmakers asked a federal court in Oregon to temporarily block the deal.

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., filed a legal brief in support of the Federal Trade Commission, which had earlier asked a federal judge to pause the $25 billion merger until the FTC can assess its effects.

Federal and state approval is needed for the deal between Kroger, which owns Fred Meyer and QFC, and Albertsons, owner of Safeway and Haggen.

The brief, filed by Jayapal and Wyden on behalf of more than 25 lawmakers, echoes the FTC’s concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in the grocery business, leading to higher prices for shoppers and less bargaining power for tens of thousands of union workers.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/northwest-lawmakers-join-push-to-block-kroger-albertsons-merger/.