Kroger-Albertsons Deal Should Be Blocked, State Officials Urge

Officials in seven Democratic-led states pushed the FTC to block Kroger Co.'s proposed $24.6 billion acquisition of rival grocery giant Albertsons Cos., arguing the combined entity would control nearly a quarter of the food retail market.

In a Wednesday letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, the secretaries of state for Colorado, Rhode Island, Arizona, Vermont, Minnesota, Maine, and New Mexico questioned Kroger’s commitment to passing any merger-related retail price savings through to consumers. They also raised flags that the companies’ proposal to spin off up to 400 stores to satisfy competitive concerns could exacerbate issues of food accessibility ...