if you don't like grocery shopping but still care about your wallet then listen up Kroger's CEO is defending a massive $4.6 billion merger with Albertson in a high stakes federal court Showdown Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen made a bold case for merging with Albertson's promising lower prices and tougher competition against retail giants like Walmart and Amazon this pitch comes as the Federal Trade Commission raises alarms about potential price hikes and reduced competition MC en countered these concerns pointing out Albertson's higher current prices and arguing that the merger could level the playing field however the FTC along with labor unions worries about possible store closures and job losses if the merger gets temporarily blocked expect more hearings to follow adding Intrigue to the mix a future rival expressed confidence in thriving regardless of the merger outcome with market dynamics at a Tipping Point the stakes couldn't be higher for the grocery industry and consumers stay tuned as this battle unfolds