Kroger merger update: Future of 35 Illinois Mariano’s, Jewel stores uncertain after Kroger-Albertson’s merger halted | Full List [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Kroger-Albertson’s merger has been halted.

The state of Colorado has filed a lawsuit to permanently block Kroger and Albertson’s business plans until a court rules on the “megamerger,” the state’s attorney general said. Friday.

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The block on the merger puts the future of 35 Mariano’s and Jewel Osco stores in Illinois into uncertainty. Kroger and Albertson’s had previously released a full list of all the stores they would sell off if their merger is approved, which included the 35 Illinois stores.

The two grocery chains had committed in September 2023 to selling more than 400 stores and other assets for approximately $1.9 billion to clear a path for the merger, which would unify two of the country’s largest grocery chains if approved.

“I am pleased that Kroger and Albertsons agreed to halt their plans to merge until the court rules on the state’s lawsuit to …