The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon has granted a preliminary injunction to halt Kroger Company's acquisition of Albertsons Companies, Inc. This decision was made on December 10, 2024, following a challenge by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nine state attorneys general. The proposed $24.6 billion merger would have been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history.

Henry Liu, Director of the Bureau of Competition at the FTC, expressed satisfaction with the court's order: "The FTC, along with our state partners, scored a major victory for the American people, successfully blocking Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons."

Liu highlighted that this decision protects consumers from potential price increases on essential groceries such as milk, bread, and eggs. He noted that this outcome directly benefits millions who shop at stores like Fry’s in Arizona, Vons in Southern California, or Jewel-Osco in Illinois.

Additionally, Liu emphasized that this ruling is also advantageous for union employees working at these grocery chains. It ensures continued competition between Kroger and Albertsons for workers through better wages and improved working conditions.

In his statement, Liu acknowledged the efforts of FTC staff involved in this case: "I want to also congratulate all of the FTC staff, including the Mergers IV team, for their hard work on this case."

The Federal Trade Commission remains committed to promoting competition and protecting consumers. The agency advises against fraudulent practices and encourages filing antitrust complaints if necessary.