The FTC issued an administrative complaint and authorized a federal lawsuit to block the $24.6 billion merger. Nine state attorneys general have joined the lawsuit, arguing the deal would raise grocery prices and hurt workers. Kroger and Albertsons had planned divestments of over 400 stores, but the FTC says this is not enough to address antitrust concerns. Combined, the companies would have about 5,000 stores nationwide across banners like Kroger, Safeway, and Tom Thumb. The FTC expressed concerns that Kroger's merger would reduce workers' bargaining power and create a monopoly on unionized grocery employment.