On February 14, 2024, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a state lawsuit to block the nationwide supermarket merger between Kroger and Albertsons. The attorney general asserts that the merger would eliminate head-to-head competition between the two companies and consolidate an already heavily concentrated market, which is bad for Colorado shoppers, workers, farmers, and suppliers. Read the full announcement here.
Background
On Oct. 14, 2022, Kroger announced it agreed to purchase Albertsons in a $24.6 billion supermarket merger that would have nationwide impacts on consumers, including in Colorado. Kroger operates 148 stores in Colorado under the King Soopers and City Market banners; and Albertsons operates 105 stores under the Safeway and Albertsons banners. The merger is under review by federal regulators. As authorized by state law, C.R.S. §§ 6-4-107, 6-4-111, the attorney general’s antitrust unit reviewed this proposed merger to evaluate if it is lawful, does not undermine competition, and is fair to consumers, workers, farmers, and suppliers. After a yearlong investigation, Attorney General Weiser filed a lawsuit in state court on February 14, 2024 to block the proposed merger.