U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden D-Oregon, a vocal opponent of a proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores, said key decisions regarding the merger could arrive within days.
The Kroger chain includes Safeway, Albertson and QFC.
Speaking from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Wyden told the Portland Tribune that a lawsuit to block the merger and a counter-suit are both winding their way through courts.
In July, Kroger-Albertsons released a list of stores in the Portland metro area that they expect to sell to a New Hampshire-based chain, C&S Wholesale Grocers, as part of a nationwide, $2.9 billion deal.
Wyden opposes the merger, saying it could drive up grocery prices at a time many U.S. citizens are complaining about the high cost of living.
“This is the largest grocery merger in history,” Wyden said.
The merger was announced in October 2022. Kroger officials said the blending of the grocery giants would allow them to compete against Amazon and Walmart.
But in February 2024, the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger, saying the move could hurt competition and could result in higher food costs.
That case will be heard Monday by Judge Adrienne Nelson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in Portland. The FTC is asking for a temporary block of the merger until the FTC’s own judicial system can take up the issue.
Kroger countered by suing the Federal Trade Commission on Monday, Aug. 19, calling the FTC’s actions unconstitutional.
If the merger does go through, 21 Albertsons, QFCs and Safeway stores could change hands in Portland.
Other stores in the deal are located in Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Damascus, Forest Grove, Gladstone, Gresham, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Newberg, Oregon City, St. Helens, Sandy, Sherwood, Troutdale, West Linn and Wilsonville.
Wyden’s opposition carries some weight now, as he chairs the Senate Finance Committee, a position he would lose if Republicans take the majority in the Senate in 2025.
His comments also come a week after Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled an economic plan that includes addressing “grocery price gouging.” Some economists have derided that as an effort to override market forces.
Wyden endorsed Harris’ proposal regarding groceries.
“We want markets to have the broadest lane possible; we believe in markets,” he said. “But at some point, when people are being taken advantage of, you have to have some guardrails. Some protection for consumers. And that’s what she’s talking about.”
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