Sen. Elizabeth Warren has expressed concerns about the proposed merger between Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, citing potential harm to American families and businesses. The merger would increase the power of independent retailers to negotiate favorable conditions with manufacturers, potentially giving Dick’s and Foot Locker an incentive to engage in anticompetitive conduct. Warren also highlighted the potential threat to small businesses, as one out of every four shoe stores in the U.S. closed between 2017 and 2022, resulting in the loss of over 25,000 jobs. The deal, valued at $2.4 billion, could raise prices for families already facing higher sneaker costs from President Trump’s tariffs and threaten workers and small businesses. Warren cited the failed merger between Kroger and Albertsons as an example of the benefits of preserving competition for consumers. The DOJ and FTC did not respond to Warren’s letter, and the Hill reached out to Dick’s and Foot Locker.
Warren is requesting the FTC and DOJ to consider blocking the merger of Dick’s and Foot Locker. Enilsa Brown 008
