Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska has expressed approval for the Federal Trade Commission's decision to challenge the proposed merger between supermarket giants Albertsons and Kroger on antitrust grounds. Sullivan, alongside Senator Lisa Murkowski, had previously raised concerns about the merger in a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan, highlighting potential impacts on consumer prices, food security, and employment in Alaska.

"Today, the FTC moved to block the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons," stated Sen. Sullivan. "As Senator Murkowski and I wrote in a letter to the FTC last September, the fact that this merger could result in grocery store closures and higher prices in Alaska—a state that already has some of the highest prices for food and basic goods in the country—had many Alaskans very concerned. We demanded that the FTC conduct a rigorous analysis to ensure that Alaskans would not be negatively impacted by this merger. In that analysis, the FTC found that the merger would likely reduce competition and raise prices—putting further strain on working families in our state who are being crushed by the high inflation caused by the Biden administration’s policies. I appreciate and support the FTC’s thorough analysis and decision to take action to block this merger for the benefit of Alaskans."

The proposed acquisition was announced by Kroger on October 14, 2022, with a valuation of $24.6 billion. As part of an effort to address antitrust concerns, Kroger announced plans in September 2023 for a $1.9 billion divestiture agreement involving C&S Wholesale LLC acquiring 14 out of 35 Carrs-Safeway stores currently owned by Albertsons in Alaska.