Kroger, Albertsons merger trials end in Colorado, Washington
Colorado judge will make decision on Nov. 15; no date set for Washington
The simultaneous Kroger, Albertsons merger trials in Colorado and the state of Washington heard closing arguments this week, and in both cases they focused on the same points as the recent federal case against the merger: competition, prices, and jobs.
In Washington, where the pending $24.6 billion merger would impact nearly half of the state’s grocery market, the case wrapped up Tuesday.
When he first filed the suit in January, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the deal would lead to higher prices for shoppers. On Tuesday in King County Superior Court in Seattle, the state’s lawyer Attorney Glenn Pomerantz said during closing arguments that the Kroger and Albertsons banners compete daily in basically every facet of grocery, including promotional prices, quality of products, and even store hours, reported local media affiliate Fox 13.
The merger would eliminate the head-to-head battles, leading to higher grocery prices in the area, Pomerantz stressed.
The merger deal also includes the divestiture of almost 600 stores, which would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers. The legal team representing Washington questioned if C&S was capable of handling such a task while maintaining the same standards of quality, pricing, and service, reported Fox 13.