Colorado Judge Temporarily Halts Kroger-Albertsons Merger (1)

A Colorado judge issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $25 billion merger of Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., which has been challenged by the state attorney general.

At a hearing in Denver on Thursday, Judge Andrew J. Luxen granted a preliminary injunction halting the deal and cancelled a hearing that was scheduled for Aug. 12. Instead, Luxen will oversee a two-week trial on the merits of the proposed tie-up beginning on Sept. 30.

The two supermarket operators agreed to delay closing their proposed deal until after the judge rules.

A Kroger spokeswoman said the companies looked forward to ...