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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s trial to block Kroger’s (NYSE:KR) planned almost $25 billion purchase of rival grocery chain Albertsons (NYSE:ACI) is set for August.
US District Judge Adrienne Nelson on Monday ordered the trial to start Aug. 26 in Portland, and it’s expected to last two or three weeks, according to a court filing. The parties are directed to confer and file a proposed briefing schedule for the preliminary injunction motion by Friday.
The FTC sued late last month to block the transaction, saying the supermarket deal would lead to higher prices for consumers. Eight states and Washington D.C. also teamed up with the regulator to halt the deal. Colorado and Washington previously filed lawsuits to try to put an end to the combination.
Kroger (KR) had been working to try to appease the FTC so the antitrust regulator could approve the deal, including a plan announced in September to sell 413 stores for $1.9 billion to C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Albertsons (ACI) fell 1% on Tuesday, while Kroger (KR) gained 1%.
