Kroger and Albertsons spend more than US$800mil on merger fees

The merger is facing five legal challenges. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: Kroger Co and Albertsons Cos have spent more than US$800mil on fees to lawyers, bankers and advisers for their proposed merger, underscoring the high costs of trying to complete the largest ever tie-up between two US grocery chains.

The merger is facing five legal challenges, including a federal court challenge in Oregon, two state lawsuits in Colorado and Washington and an administrative trial in the Federal Trade Commission’s in-house court. A group of consumers also unsuccessfully sued over the deal last year. A preliminary injunction hearing is set to start at the end of August.