For the two grocery rivals, which had been on track to marry their numerous supermarket banners, the lawsuit amounts to a corporate divorce battle.

Merger would curtail competition for grocery shoppers, Oregon court finds in a decision that could derail the deal.

“Today's decision by a federal judge to extend the preliminary injunction blocking the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger is a major victory for consumers, workers, and small businesses across the country," Mayes said in a statement Tuesday.