Sullivan Applauds FTC Move to Block Albertsons-Kroger Merger
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today expressed his support of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision to sue to block the proposed Albertsons-Kroger merger on antitrust grounds. Sen. Sullivan raised concerns regarding the supermarket acquisition last year with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in a letter sent to FTC Chair Lina Khan, citing the effects on consumer prices, the state’s food security, and Alaskan employees.
“Today, the FTC moved to block the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons,” Sen. Sullivan said.“As Senator Murkowski and I wrote in a letter to the FTC last September, the fact that this merger could result in grocery store closures and higher prices in Alaska—a state that already has some of the highest prices for food and basic goods in the country—had many Alaskans very concerned. We demanded that the FTC conduct a rigorous analysis to ensure that Alaskans would not be negatively impacted by this merger. In that analysis, the FTC found that the merger would likely reduce competition and raise prices—putting further strain on working families in our state who are being crushed by the high inflation caused by the Biden administration’s policies. I appreciate and support the FTC’s thorough analysis and decision to take action to block this merger for the benefit of Alaskans.”
On October 14, 2022, Kroger announced that it would acquire Albertsons for $24.6 billion. In September 2023, Kroger announced a $1.9 billion divesture agreement, which proposes to sell 14 of 35 existing Carrs-Safeway stores in Alaska currently owned by Albertsons to C&S Wholesale, LLC.
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