According to Reuters on September 5th, the Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen defended the proposed $25 billion merger with its rival Albertsons in court on Wednesday, attributing the rise in food and grocery prices to increasing costs for retailers. The US Federal Trade Commission and several states have filed lawsuits in federal court to block the merger, attempting to prove that the deal will lead to price increases and reduce the bargaining power of union workers by ending the intense competition between Kroger and Albertsons. When asked if Kroger would raise prices after the merger, McMullen answered, "Absolutely not." Kroger stated that in order to compete with the USA's largest retailer Walmart, the company needs to expand its scale through the merger. Albertsons, on the other hand, indicated that if the deal fails, it may have to consider layoffs and store closures.