Think groceries are expensive now? Just wait.

 

The proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger is a $25-billion corporate-consolidation nightmare that could send grocery prices even further into the stratosphere. But we're gaining serious momentum to stop it.

First, two health-care giants, Cigna and Humana, abandoned their own plan to merge — at least in part because they worried that the Federal Trade Commission would stop it.¹ Then, the FTC came out with strong new guidelines, challenging mergers that will hurt consumers and workers.²

Now we've gotten word that the FTC has decided to take another month to review the disastrous Kroger-Albertsons deal.³

We've already mobilized tens of thousands of supporters in opposition to the grocery giant megamerger. Now we have until January 17 to really turn up the heat.

Kroger is the second-largest grocer in the United States behind Walmart, and Albertsons is fourth. Together, Kroger and Albertsons own about 5,000 stores, including those operating as countless other brands, like Safeway and Harris Teeter.⁴

If this merger goes through, just two corporations – the new Kroger-Albertsons behemoth and Walmart – will control 70 percent of the market in 167 different cities. In some cities, they'd control over 90 percent!⁵

With little to no competition, they could jack up prices as high as they wanted, and consumers would have no choice but to pay. We can also expect to see them close stores that are less profitable, leaving people with fewer options.

But there's good news in our campaign to stop this megamerger. Even before the FTC issued its strong merger guidelines, FTC Chair Lina Khan expressed major concerns about the deal.⁶ State attorneys general, labor unions, and consumer groups have all made their voices heard.

With gratitude for all that you do,

The team at Demand Progress Action

Sources:
1. The Wall Street Journal, "Cigna Calls Off Humana Pursuit, Plans Big Stock Buyback," December 10, 2023.
2. Common Dreams, "FTC-DOJ Merger Guidelines Aim to 'Restore Competition and Strengthen Democracy,'" December 18, 2023.
3. Cowboy State Daily, "FTC To Delay $25 Billion Albertsons - Kroger Merger; Study Says It Could Hurt Market," December 20, 2023.
4. Inequality Media, "Think Grocery Prices Are High Now? Just Wait.," March 7, 2023.
5. Fast Company, "Why you should worry about the Kroger-Albertsons grocery store merger,'" October 19, 2022.
6. Supermarket News, "Former FTC policy director: Kroger, Albertsons merger is facing 'a hurricane storm,'" October 2, 2023.