Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen attributed rising grocery prices to increasing costs for retailers as he defended the grocery chain’s proposed $25 billion merger with rival Albertsons at a trial on Wednesday. In testimony a trial in Portland, Oregon, McMullen cited rising supplier costs, fuel prices and credit card swipe fees when asked by the company’s lawyer why prices have risen. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and several states sued in federal court to block the merger, and are seeking to show the deal would lead to higher prices and reduce the bargaining leverage of unionized store workers by ending the fierce rivalry between Kroger and Albertsons.
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