Kroger, the nation’s largest operator of traditional supermarkets, would buy Albertsons, the second-largest such operator, for $24.6 billion and merge it into Kroger’s operations. The deal would combine Cincinnati-based Kroger and its 2,722 stores with Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons and the 2,271 stores it operates.

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

In an unsealed complaint, Albertsons claims that Kroger’s hubris and reluctance to divest of stores sank their merger; Kroger has said its rival breached the agreement.

Details of Boise-based Albertsons’ lawsuit against Kroger claiming “billions of dolllars” in damages have been unsealed. As BoiseDev reported last week, after a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on the Kroger and Albertsons merger and temporarily put it on ice,

Grocery chain Albertsons called off its $25 billion blockbuster merger with Kroger Wednesday after a federal judge halted the deal.

University of Houston professor Steven Craig said the Krogers-Albertsons merger falling apart is a good development for shoppers.

Kroger chose to sell as few stores as possible, ensured it was only selling Kroger’s worst performers, and opted to sell to one of the least-qualified buyers, Albertsons alleges