A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February sued to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.
Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.
