WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that following her efforts, a federal court has ruled in favor of blocking the Kroger-Albertsons grocery store mega merger because it could reduce competition and further raise already high grocery prices. The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon sided with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which filed the case in the wake of Senator Rosen’s call for action, in a ruling that will immediately halt the merger from moving forward.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Proposed supermarket merger of Kroger and Albertsons halted by federal judge
By Dee-Ann Durbin
- A federal judge has temporarily halted a proposed merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons, an action that could scuttle the deal.
- Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. But the Federal Trade Commission sued earlier this year, asking Nelson to block the $24.6 billion deal until an in-house administrative judge at the FTC could consider the merger’s implications.
- “The Kroger-Albertsons mega merger would have reduced competition and raised grocery prices at a time when Nevadans are already being squeezed by high costs,” said Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen. “I’m glad to have helped block this corporate mega-merger and prevent higher costs for hardworking families.”
- Earlier this year, she announced that she successfully pushed the FTC to sue to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger that would have reduced competition and further raised grocery prices in the state.
- She also joined her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon to block the merger.
- Rosen also sent a letter calling on President Joe Biden to lower grocery costs for Nevadans by holding large corporations accountable.
KRNV Reno: Nevada’s Rosen applauds court rulings that block Kroger-Albertsons merger
- U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, said she was glad judges from the U.S. District Court for Oregon and King County, Washington issued injunctions against Kroger and Albertsons.
- Because of those decisions, Albertsons terminated the merger agreement Wednesday and sued Kroger, alleging it failed to exercise “best efforts” for approval.
- “The Kroger-Albertsons mega merger would have reduced competition and raised grocery prices at a time when Nevadans are already being squeezed by high costs,” Rosen said in a statement.
- Rosen came out against the proposal last year, arguing that combining the two companies would mean less competition and fewer affordable food options in Nevada.
KSNV Las Vegas: Nevada’s Rosen applauds court rulings that block Kroger-Albertsons merger
Reporter: “U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen of Las Vegas applauding a court ruling that stopped the merger between Albertsons and Kroger, the two giant grocery store chains. Rosen says the merger would have reduced competition and raised grocery prices at a time when we’re already dealing with high costs due to inflation. Rosen came out against this merger last year, making the same arguments then.”
KOLO Reno: Ford, Rosen celebrate blocking of Kroger-Albertson’s merger
Anchor: “A federal judge is now temporarily halting a proposed merger between grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons, which would affect the Smith’s stores here in northern Nevada. The Federal Trade Commission had sued, asking it to be blocked until the FTC could consider the merger’s implications, and the judge today agreed. The $24.6-billion-dollar deal would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history, but many have expressed concerns, believing it would eliminate competition and raise prices on consumers.”
KTVN Reno: Following Rosen efforts, federal court blocks grocery mega merger
Anchor: “The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores has been temporarily halted after a hearing that lasted three weeks. Now, this follows a suit from the Federal Trade Commission asking a U.S. District Court judge to block the deal until it could be reviewed by their own in-house administrative judge. The judge eventually ruled that the merger would limit competition and hurt consumers. “
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Senator Rosen: “What happens if they consolidate? Do you think they’re going to keep both stores? Come on. They’re not. They’re going to merge to one store. Could be the loss of jobs, and then everybody knows if there’s no competition, the prices do not go lower.”
Anchor: “Senator Rosen says keeping the healthy competition alive will help lower prices in grocery stores and ultimately help Nevadans. Again, this is a temporary block. The companies could still appeal.”
KTNV Las Vegas: Following Rosen efforts, federal court blocks grocery mega merger
Senator Rosen: “And if we let Kroger and Albertsons merge, particularly in Nevada, those two stores, they’re not going to keep them both, they’re going to go down to one store. That means jobs are going to be lost. And we know if there’s only one game in town and one store to shop in, the prices are not going to get any lower.”
Anchor: “That was Senator Jacky Rosen talking about the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons and how it could impact the prices you pay at the grocery store. Well, that merger isn’t happening now. We’ve just learned Albertsons has officially backed out of the deal.”
KKFT Reno: Following Rosen efforts, federal court blocks grocery mega merger
Anchor: “Senator Jacky Rosen says she supports a court ruling that stopped Kroger from buying the Albertsons grocery chain. In Northern Nevada, Kroger is known as Smith’s Food and Drugs, and Albertsons owns Safeway. Albertsons canceled the merger earlier this morning.”
Telemundo Las Vegas: Senadora Rosen anuncia que la fusión de Kroger-Albertsons ha sido bloqueada
Presentadora: “Se trata de la Senadora Jacky Rosen, Demócrata por Nevada. Dijo que se alegra de que los jueces del tribunal del distrito Estados Unidos emitieran medidas cautelares contra Kroger y Albertsons, ya que la megafusión habría reducido la competencia, pero también habría aumentado los precios de los [comestibles], según la legisladora. Debido a esas decisiones, Albertsons rescindió del acuerdo de fusión este miércoles.”
CW Las Vegas: Following Rosen efforts, federal court blocks grocery mega merger
Anchor: “U.S. Senator from Nevada, Jacky Rosen, applauds the court ruling, saying in a statement: ‘The Kroger-Albertsons mega merger would have reduced competition and raised grocery prices at a time when Nevadans are already being squeezed by high costs.’ Senator Rosen has been against the merger since the companies announced the plan, and made it an issue in her campaign.”
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