Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has sued to block the proposed $25 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons, alleging that it would harm consumers and hike up prices. In the suit filed Monday in King County Superior Court, Ferguson argued that the merger would “severely limit” grocery store options for Washington residents and “eliminate vital competition” between the two chains, CNN reported.
“This merger is bad for Washington shoppers and workers,” Ferguson said. “Shoppers will have fewer choices and less competition, and, without a competitive marketplace, they will pay higher prices at the grocery store.”
