Why does the US government think a Kroger-Albertsons merger would be bad for grocery shoppers?

By DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Business Writer

Two of the biggest grocery chains in the United States had hoped to complete the largest supermarket merger in the country’s history this year. But their plan to compete with big-box retailers by combining forces faces legal challenges that make it look far less likely. On Monday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed an administrative complaint against Kroger’s $24.6 billion deal to acquire Albertsons. A federal lawsuit the agency filed with the attorneys general from eight states and the District of Columbia seeks to block the proposed merger. The FTC says it would result in store closures and higher prices for shoppers in places where the Albertsons and Kroger now compete.