PORTLAND, Ore. – The courtroom battle between Kroger and Albertsons reached a climax as both companies were set to present their closing arguments in a U.S. District Court hearing on their proposed merger, which the federal government is seeking to block.

Throughout the three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon, Kroger and Albertsons have been adamant that joining forces would enable them to lower prices and enhance their ability to compete with retail giants such as Walmart and Amazon.

However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has argued that the merger would eliminate competition and result in increased food prices for consumers already facing economic challenges.

In what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history, Kroger and Albertsons proposed a $24.6 billion deal in 2022, prompting the FTC to file a lawsuit in an attempt to halt the transaction.

The FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson to prevent the deal from proceeding while the complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge.

During the hearing, the CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger emphasized that the merged entity would prioritize lowering prices to retain customers and drive growth, which would also support stores and union jobs.

FTC attorneys have highlighted the current competition between the two supermarket chains in 22 states and argued that consumers would lose benefits like competitive pricing, quality products, and services if the merger is approved.

Labor union leaders and the FTC have expressed concerns about the potential decline in wages and benefits for workers if Kroger and Albertsons stop competing with each other, as well as the possibility of store closures leading to food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.

As part of the proposed merger, Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell 579 stores in overlapping locations to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier. However, the FTC has raised doubts about C&S’s ability to manage these stores effectively.

The attorneys general of several states have joined the FTC’s lawsuit against the merger, emphasizing their concerns about the potential impact on consumers and workers. Washington and Colorado have also filed separate cases seeking to block the merger in state courts.

Kroger and Albertsons operate hundreds of stores across the country, employing over 700,000 people combined. The outcome of the hearing could have far-reaching implications for the supermarket industry and the consumers they serve.

If Judge Nelson agrees to issue the injunction, the FTC plans to proceed with in-house hearings starting on Oct. 1. Kroger has challenged the FTC’s internal proceedings in federal court, arguing that the merger’s fate should be decided at the federal level.

The legal battle over the Kroger-Albertsons merger underscores the complex dynamics of competition in the retail sector and the far-reaching consequences of major corporate deals. The final decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the grocery industry and the millions of consumers and workers involved.