A Colorado judge issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $25 billion merger of Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., which has been challenged by the state attorney general.

A group of lawmakers wants the FTC to take action against large retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, that increased profits during the COVID-19 pandemic and have kept prices high since.

A Colorado court scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing on supermarket giant Kroger Co.’s proposed acquisition of rival Albertsons Cos. in mid-August.

Antitrust agencies have finalized an overhaul of rules the government uses to determine whether deals violate competition law to extend a crackdown on illegal mergers and acquisitions.

Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. are bracing for a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over their $24.6 billion tie-up as soon as January as opposition builds against the supermarket megadeal.

The Federal Trade Commission is expected to sue Amazon for antitrust violations next week, according to people familiar with the matter — the agency’s fourth swipe at the retail giant in 2023.

The Senate plans to hold a hearing in November on Kroger Co.’s planned $24.6 billion takeover of Albertsons Cos.