FTC’s Kroger-Albertsons Merger Suit Set for Trial in August

The US Federal Trade Commission’s bid to block the $24.6 billion merger of supermarket giants Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos.is headed for trial at the end of August in Oregon.

US District Judge Adrienne Nelson on Monday ordered the trial to start Aug. 26 in Portland, and it’s expected to last two or three weeks. The merger would be the biggest US grocery deal in history if it goes through.

The FTC, eight states and Washington D.C. sued last month, claiming the combination of the two largest US supermarket chains would lead to lower wages for workers and higher ...