05:24 PM EST, 12/10/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with further details from court document throughout, Albertsons ( ACI ) comments, attempt to reach Kroger ( KR ) for comment.)

Kroger's ( KR ) planned $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons ( ACI ) has been blocked by a federal judge, according to a court document.

In a ruling filed in a federal court in Oregon Tuesday, US District Judge Adrienne Nelson sided with the US Federal Trade Commission, which said the deal would "substantially lessen competition" and would cause "harm to consumers and to workers."

"The Court finds that the merger would lead to undue market concentration in multiple geographic markets in both the supermarkets and large format stores markets that would presumptively lessen competition," Nelson said in the ruling.

An Albertsons ( ACI ) spokesperson told MT Newswires that the company is "disappointed by the [US] District Court's decision to grant the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction."

"We believe we clearly outlined during the proceedings how the proposed merger would expand competition, lower prices, increase associate wages, protect union jobs, and enhance customers' shopping experience," the Albertsons ( ACI ) spokesperson said.

"We are carefully reviewing the Court's opinion and are evaluating our options in accordance with the merger agreement."

Kroger ( KR ) didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by MT Newswires.