Colorado judge temporarily blocks Kroger-Albertsons grocery 'megamerger'

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/colorado-judge-temporarily-blocks-kroger-albertsons-grocery-megamerger/

By: Chase Woodruff - July 26, 2024 12:12 pm

A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser sued in February to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand, as well as Baker’s supermarkets in Nebraska. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.

Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.
“Based on the evidence presented by the State in its Motion and the Joint Stipulation, the Court finds there is a reasonable probability that the State will prove its claims against Defendants at trial,” Luxen wrote in his order.

FULL story at link.