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Antitrust experts say a few core issues prompted the judges to say no the merger, ultimately dooming the deal.

In parallel, same-day rulings, a federal and state court blocked The Kroger Company’s $24.6 billion proposed acquisition of the Albertsons

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the proposed $25 billion merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, ruling that the deal would limit competition and harm consumers but leaving the door

The companies’ failed merger is a stark reminder of the risks food retailers face as they position themselves in a rapidly changing market, analysts said.

Kroger and Albertsons could turn to fast-growing and profitable advertising ventures to tackle competition and grow after a failed $25 billion merger between the two supermarket rivals, analysts said.

The ruling, citing a potential loss of competition, was a victory for the Federal Trade Commission. Later, a Washington State judge blocked the deal on similar grounds.

Kroger’s conduct created frustration and distrust among regulators … and ultimately caused an unprecedented litigation onslaught,” Albertsons claims in a newly unsealed lawsuit.

Atlanta, Georgia, Kroger. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) A Federal Judge and a King County Judge in Washington state have blocked the $25 billion merger of ...

Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C & S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.

So, what is Albertsons’ ( ACI) plan in a post-Kroger ( KR) world? Lowering prices is likely top on its list. And to optimize its real-estate footprint, Albertsons ( ACI) could also sell and lease back its stores or continue to close some stores outright.

Albertsons might have a harder path ahead after the attempted ... The supermarket chains are also facing mighty rivals such as Walmart, Costco, and Amazon, which have taken up more market share in grocery sales. The main rationale for the two firms to ...