Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Monday sued to block the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons, two of the nation’s largest grocery chains.
In the suit filed in King County Superior Court, Ferguson argued that the $25-billion deal would harm consumers and raise prices, The Seattle Times reported. Kroger and Albertsons have more than 300 locations in the state and account for more than half of its grocery sales, according to the suit.
“This merger is bad for Washington shoppers and workers,” Ferguson said in a news release Monday. “Shoppers will have fewer choices and less competition, and, without a competitive marketplace, they will pay higher prices at the grocery store.”
It’s probably an issue all over, and I hope it gets blocked, for the sake of consumers. Kroger acquired a company called Roundy’s which has a chain called “Pick N Save” in Wisconsin back in 2015. I remember shopping there after and seeing additional tags with products’ prices announcing the “Your New Low”, but prices were higher than pre acquisition. I stopped shopping there after that and noticing a decrease in product/brand diversity.
I actually saw this exact same thing happen to of all things, an older Kroger store. They closed the store and revamped the building as a new Harris Teeter. Same location and customers, but the prices were higher than previously, and the other competition nearby. The selection was also far worse. Many of the old employees went to other stores, so
I’m guessing the wages took a similar dive.