GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — "Today's ruling is a victory for consumers, workers and farmers."
On Tuesday, a federal district court ruled to temporarily block the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons.
Attorney General Phil Weiser released the following statement in response to the ruling:
"I am pleased that a federal district court judge ruled that the corporate owners of King Soopers, Safeway and City Market must pause their $25 billion megamerger. Today's ruling is a victory for consumers, workers and farmers.
"All along we have made the case that the Kroger/Albertsons merger is illegal and bad for Colorado. It is bad for grocery shoppers who are already feeling pinched at the checkout counter. It's bad for workers and their job security and benefits. And it's bad for farmers and other suppliers because there would be fewer local food options available at the store.
"Colorado has brought a separate case in state court to block this anticompetitive grocery merger and to challenge an illegal no-poach and no solicitation agreement between the two companies during the 2022 King Soopers strike. We wait for a ruling in our case, and are optimistic that this illegal merger will be permanently blocked."