Lawmakers Urge FTC to Investigate Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Senate Democrats are urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons.  They are concerned about the transaction's potential implications for consumers.

The group of lawmakers includes Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar, Connecticut's Richard Blumenthal and New Jersey's Cory Booker.  In a letter to the FTC, the lawmakers say, "The grocery industry is essential to daily life, and Americans need the benefits that robust competition brings, namely lower prices, higher quality, and innovation."  The lawmakers add the merger comes as food prices are elevated, and "too many American families are struggling to put food on the table."

When Albertson’s merged with Safeway in 2015, the FTC found that the merger was likely to harm competition in 130 separate markets and required the company to sell more than 150 stores.

Additionally, Klobuchar announced the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, will hold a hearing in November to examine the proposed transaction.

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