Judges Block Proposed Kroger And Albertsons Merger

Kroger and Albertsons said they are disappointed in the decisions and will review their options moving forward.

A judge has halted a proposed merger between two supermarket giants.

The deal would have seen a merger between Kroger and Albertsons.

The U.S. district judge overseeing the case issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday that blocks the merger. The decision was handed down after a three-week hearing in Oregon.

A separate judge also issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in Washington. That judge concluded it would lessen competition in the state and violate Washington’s consumer-protection law.

Kroger and Albertsons said they are disappointed in the decisions and will review their options moving forward.

The companies could appeal, although the deal could fall apart in the time it would take for those cases to be considered.