Kroger-Albertsons Merger Federal Case Closes in Oregon, Verdict Likely Unfavorable For Grocers

Workers still nervous that the industry is facing another wave of consolidation and cutbacks that threaten their livelihoods, job security and being thrown into unemployment and poverty.

The lawsuit in federal court in Portland, Oregon brought by the FTC and several states to stop the Kroger-Albertsons merger closed on September 17 and grocery market analysts weighed in, mostly concluding it does not look promising for the grocers.

Both Eric Fruits, senior scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics, and David Balto, an antit…