Kroger, Albertsons Bracing for FTC Decision on Deal in January

Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. are bracing for a US Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over their proposed $24.6 billion tie-up as soon as January as opposition builds against the supermarket mega-deal.

Progressive lawmakers and the Teamsters union both urged the antitrust agency this week to veto the deal after its yearlong probe. The FTC has until Jan. 17 to decide on their deal under a timing agreement the companies reached with the agency, according to a court filing in a class action brought by consumers opposed to the deal. The agency’s deadline hasn’t been disclosed previously.

The agency has been ...