Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a significant legal victory after a federal judge halted the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. The decision came after a challenge was filed, indicating that the merger might reduce competition and lead to higher food prices nationwide. In February 2024, Attorney General Bonta joined forces with the Federal Trade Commission and several states in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Portland to oppose the merger.

"Halting the Kroger and Albertsons megamerger is a win for California households and communities. As many families continue to feel the burden of inflation, fighting corporate consolidation that threatens to increase grocery prices is more important than ever," stated Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized that in some Southern California markets, Kroger-Albertsons would have been the sole grocery option, limiting consumer choice and affecting employment options for workers in this sector.

The proposed merger was expected to further consolidate an already concentrated retail grocery market in Southern California, potentially leading to fewer choices and higher prices for consumers. Additionally, it could have impacted union negotiations regarding working conditions for thousands of employees in California.

A copy of the court's decision is available for public access.

In line with enforcing antitrust laws, the California Department of Justice has introduced its new Antitrust Complaint Form for reporting potential violations of antitrust regulations.