Albertsons has officially withdrawn from its proposed $24.6 billion merger with Kroger after a judge blocked the deal over competition concerns. Albertsons is suing Kroger for a $600 million termination fee and damages, claiming the grocery chain failed to act in good faith to facilitate merger approval. Kroger has dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. The merger's collapse is expected to impact consumers and could alter Albertsons' future as it seeks other partnerships amidst significant debt.