Washington, D.C. — Following testimony this week from Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran in the Federal Trade Commission v. Kroger-Albertsons hearing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nine state attorneys general are seeking a preliminary injunction to hit “pause” on the biggest supermarket merger in history, the American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement.

“While Kroger’s CEO made lofty promises during his testimony, including a pledge not to close stores, the simple truth is that—as McMullen admitted on the stand—such promises are not legally enforceable,” said Laurel Kilgour, Research Manager at the American Economic Liberties Project. “If this merger is finalized, there will be nothing stopping Kroger from raising prices, eliminating jobs, shuttering stores, or cutting back its ‘price investments.’ Indeed, in the past Kroger has redirected money initially earmarked for ‘price investments’ to boost quarterly earnings per share instead. Moreover, hypothetical ‘reputational harms’ from price hikes do not serve as real restraints on corporations with lots of market power, and Kroger knows it.”

“Meanwhile, the Albertsons CEO– who demonstrated his lack of credibility well before the hearing by deleting text messages that likely plotted price hikes– claims the firm may have to take drastic measures if the merger does not go through,” added Kilgour. “But Sankaran stands to receive a $43 million golden parachute with a consummated merger, which may be why he neglected to mention two things. First, if Albertsons truly was on the verge of failing, it is free to invoke a failing firm defense to sell itself through a legal exception — yet, Albertsons hasn’t invoked this. Second, any financial instability was a self-inflicted wound that was a direct consequence of issuing a $4 billion special dividend to private equity investors after Albertsons swore to both a judge and to Congress that it was in “excellent financial condition.”

Background: 

In October 2022, grocery giant Kroger entered into an agreement to acquire its rival Albertsons for $24.6 billion. The deal would be the largest grocery acquisition in history, combining two mega-chains that have already consolidated much of the industry. Kroger owns Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and Harris Teeter. Albertsons owns Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, and Star Market. In bringing these brands and many others under the same roof, Kroger would create a behemoth with 5,000 stores, 4,000 pharmacies, and 700,000 employees across 48 states.

On November 29, 2022, Kroger and Albertsons testified in a Senate Hearing to defend not only the proposed merger, but a $4 billion special dividend to its private equity investors– paid in significant part by borrowing money. Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran swore to Congress that:

• “Albertsons is in excellent financial condition. Our balance sheet is strong, with significant cash and relatively little debt.… Most importantly, the dividend does not affect any of our future plans to invest in our stores, our capabilities, and our employees. We will have more than sufficient resources to continue with our current strategic and operating plans. Our employees will continue to receive the increases in wages and benefits agreed to in our collective bargaining agreements, including our contributions to pension funds.” (bold in original).

Albertsons made similar representations to another judge to end a court challenge to the dividend, escaping scrutiny in January 2023.

The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to block the proposed merger in February 2024, finding it would lead to higher grocery prices and reduce workers’ bargaining power in communities across the country. With high grocery prices top of mind for American families, and increasingly linked to consolidation in the food system, the merger challenge received a remarkable outpouring of public support. And not just from consumers—supermarket consolidation has been devastating for workers, independent grocers, and farmers, all of whom applauded the FTC for taking action. Members of Congress from both parties added to the chorus, while two states, Colorado and Washington, filed additional suits to block the merger.

During cross examination, Kroger CEO McMullen admitted that his corporation’s promises were not legally enforceable:

Q: And Kroger is only committing to not closing stores at the initial time of the merger; is that correct?

A: Correct.

Q: And, in fact, Kroger may, indeed, close stores later; is that right?

A: Yes.

Q: Meaning that Kroger could relocate a store; is that right?

A: Yes.

Q: Or consolidate two stores into one?

A: Correct.

During cross examination on September 5, 2024, Kroger’s Chief Marketing Officer Stuart Aitken admitted that in the past Kroger has siphoned money initially earmarked for ‘price investments’ to shareholder payouts instead.

Q: So, for example, this year Kroger has about 250 million set aside for price investments?

A: It does

Q: And the merchandising department and team can make the decision not to spend all of the price investment funds; is that right?

A: That’s right.

Q: And one reason they may do this is because Kroger, as a whole, may not want to spend that money. Is that fair?

A: That’s correct.

Q: For example, Kroger may not spend all its price investment funds to help Kroger achieve certain targeted earnings per share for a quarter; is that right?

A: That’s correct.

Q: And Kroger has, in fact, decided not to invest everything it had planned in order to meet certain earnings per share targets in the past; is that right?

A: That’s correct too

Read “Supermarket Squeeze: The Real Costs of the Kroger-Albertsons Deal” to learn more.

Read Economic Liberties’ Myth/Fact on the Kroger-Albertsons Merger here.

Read about other ways to stop domination by corporate giants in food markets and beyond here.

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America’s system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.