CINCINNATI, OH - At the end of February, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it would be suing to block Kroger’s merger with Albertsons. Now, it has been announced that the trial will take place in August.

U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson ordered the trial to start August 26, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, a report from Seeking Alpha detailed. It is expected to last between two to three weeks, according to a court filing, and all parties are directed to confer and file a proposed briefing schedule for the preliminary injunction motion by Friday, March 15.

In late February, the FTC sued to block the nearly $25 billion deal, arguing that it could lead to higher prices for shoppers. Eight states and Washington, DC, joined forces with the regulator to help stop the merger. Previously, Colorado and Washington also filed lawsuits to halt the deal.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more of the latest details on the ongoing merger.