OLYMPIA, Wash. – The trial aimed at halting the $24.6 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is nearing its end as closing arguments were presented in Washington on Tuesday.
The Federal Trade Commission and state officials argue that the merger would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower quality for consumers, while the grocery chains claim it would allow them to compete more effectively with the other supermarket giants across the country.
“We have seen evidence that this competition occurs every week in every way possible,” said attorney Glenn Pomerantz. “They compete on everyday prices, promotional prices, quality of their products, store hours, e-commerce pick-up times, and a lot of other things. This is the competition that will be lost by this merger.”…