‘Seismic shift.' Kroger's fight against a federal agency could upend antitrust

Supermarket chain Kroger has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over its use of an in-house tribunal to challenge Kroger’s $25 billion merger with Albertsons. The lawsuit argues that the FTC’s administrative process is unconstitutional. If successful, the case could have far-reaching implications for how the US government regulates mergers. Experts warn that weakening the FTC’s ability to fight monopolies could lead to higher prices and reduced consumer choice. Kroger’s lawsuit is part of a broader pushback by corporations against perceived regulatory overreach.