Albertsons seeks at least $8 billion from Kroger over failed merger

Albertsons is pressing Kroger for damages of no less than $8 billion over the breakdown of the two chains' merger, arguing that Kroger did not do enough to win antitrust clearance, Mass Market Retailers reported on October 13, 2026, citing The Wall Street Journal.

Albertsons contends that the divestiture packages Kroger put forward would have let Kroger keep its stronger stores while shedding weaker ones, and that the approach helped sink the transaction. Its total claim runs as high as $9.3 billion, a figure that takes in a breakup fee of $600 million that Albertsons says remains unpaid. Kroger disputes the allegations, saying both sides knew the deal faced steep antitrust hurdles and that nothing further would have changed the regulators' decision.

The case is before the Delaware Chancery Court, with trial set for October 19.

Kroger agreed in 2022 to acquire Albertsons for $20 billion, a combination of the two largest U.S. supermarket operators by store count that would have totaled close to 5,000 locations and was pitched as a counterweight to Walmart, Amazon and Aldi. Kroger has since said it will cut 3,000 corporate jobs over three years.

This story was first reported by Mass Market Retailers.