A bellwether trial is set to begin Monday in a fight over whether the parent companies of two Alaska grocery chains can merge. The Federal Trade Commission wants to block Kroger from buying out Albertsons. Together, they own 35 stores in Alaska under the Fred Meyer, Carrs and Safeway brands, plus Crow Creek Mercantile in Girdwood. Most Alaskans live in a community where the stores directly compete with each other.