Albertsons and Kroger are facing a significant legal challenge from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over their proposed $24.6 billion merger, which would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. The FTC argues that the merger would reduce competition and lead to higher grocery prices, whereas the companies claim it is necessary to compete with larger non-traditional rivals like Walmart and Amazon. Albertsons has warned that without the merger, it might have to lay off workers, close stores, and exit some markets. The FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the merger while the dispute is reviewed by an in-house administrative law judge. Consumer concerns are evident, with many expressing fears over potential price hikes and reduced quality. Kroger has promised to lower prices and improve worker benefits post-merger, but skepticism remains high among regulators and the public.