The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is attempting to block a $24.6 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons, arguing it could lead to higher grocery prices and reduced competition. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran testified in federal court, asserting that the merger would enable them to lower prices to effectively compete with major retailers like Walmart and Costco. They claimed that immediate price reductions would begin upon merging, despite the FTC's concerns about potential price hikes in overlapping markets. The FTC's legal action is supported by various states, emphasizing the merger's negative implications for consumers and unionized workers. Kroger's attorneys countered that the merger is necessary for survival against larger competitors, with claims that prices at Albertsons are already higher. The ongoing case highlights significant tensions surrounding grocery pricing and market competition in the U.S.