Brian Albrecht on the FTC’s Approach to Mergers

Axios – ICLE Chief Economist Brian Albrecht was quoted in a story in Axios in a story about the Federal Trade Commission’s emerging approach to mergers. You can read full piece here.

Brian Albrecht, chief economist at the International Center for Law & Economics, predicts the FTC will challenge the deal in court, but it will be approved based on precedents.

• Precedents suggest the transaction would be assessed through the lens of traditional market definitions, competition within local markets, and which retailers are or are not considered competitors.

Between the lines: While industry watchers like Albrecht predict the transaction gets completed, the source close to the FTC says that view disregards considerations like protecting small businesses.