Alina Selyuk

No, they did not. The U.S. district judge wrote essentially that she understood that competition with Walmart was real. It was tough, but it could not justify an otherwise illegal merger. And the judges also did not buy the company's plan to create essentially a new rival for themselves. They had planned to sell stores in markets where they overlap, and the judges did not approve of that.

No, they did not. The U.S. district judge wrote essentially that she understood that competition with Walmart was real. It was tough, but it could not justify an otherwise illegal merger. And the judges also did not buy the company's plan to create essentially a new rival for themselves. They had planned to sell stores in markets where they overlap, and the judges did not approve of that.

Well, you know, given how much of a knockout, drag out legal fight it has been so far, I feel like we could be in for a pretty bitter litigation now between the two of them. There is money at stake, which is the merger breakup fee. And Albertsons was the company getting acquired. So there is a chance that Albertsons puts itself back on the block again.

Well, you know, given how much of a knockout, drag out legal fight it has been so far, I feel like we could be in for a pretty bitter litigation now between the two of them. There is money at stake, which is the merger breakup fee. And Albertsons was the company getting acquired. So there is a chance that Albertsons puts itself back on the block again.

Well, you know, given how much of a knockout, drag out legal fight it has been so far, I feel like we could be in for a pretty bitter litigation now between the two of them. There is money at stake, which is the merger breakup fee. And Albertsons was the company getting acquired. So there is a chance that Albertsons puts itself back on the block again.

They might try to find someone else to buy it. Now, as far as shoppers are concerned, for now, they can keep going back to their familiar grocery stores.

They might try to find someone else to buy it. Now, as far as shoppers are concerned, for now, they can keep going back to their familiar grocery stores.

They might try to find someone else to buy it. Now, as far as shoppers are concerned, for now, they can keep going back to their familiar grocery stores.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You might know Kroger as Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Albertsons owns Safeway and Vons. In late 2022, Kroger offered nearly $25 billion to buy Albertsons. Companies argued this was a matter of survival against growing competition from Walmart, Costco, Amazon, even dollar stores.

You might know Kroger as Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Albertsons owns Safeway and Vons. In late 2022, Kroger offered nearly $25 billion to buy Albertsons. Companies argued this was a matter of survival against growing competition from Walmart, Costco, Amazon, even dollar stores.

The Federal Trade Commission did not buy this and warned that combining Kroger and Albertsons would leave shoppers fewer choices and higher prices. The agency sued to stop the deal and has now prevailed in a federal court in Oregon. This does not technically end the deal, but the next steps could be long and arduous, and it is unclear whether the companies will decide to keep fighting.

The Federal Trade Commission did not buy this and warned that combining Kroger and Albertsons would leave shoppers fewer choices and higher prices. The agency sued to stop the deal and has now prevailed in a federal court in Oregon. This does not technically end the deal, but the next steps could be long and arduous, and it is unclear whether the companies will decide to keep fighting.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

In a survey by Cercana, a market research firm, almost two-thirds of shoppers say the higher cost of food and bills, like insurance, has them changing how they shop. People talk about buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. But holiday spending is still expected to grow this year. up to 3.5%.

In a survey by Cercana, a market research firm, almost two-thirds of shoppers say the higher cost of food and bills, like insurance, has them changing how they shop. People talk about buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. But holiday spending is still expected to grow this year. up to 3.5%.

Retailers think shoppers will be drawn by the discounts, hoping to save money on deals. And there's another curious element in shopper surveys. More people say they plan to buy gifts for themselves. Some of these shoppers tend to be wealthier, or perhaps people feel like it's good to treat themselves, especially when something's on sale. Alina Seljuk, NPR News.