Albertsons and Kroger terminated their $25 billion merger plan on Wednesday after courts blocked the deal, with the former suing its rival and alleging a breach of contract that led to the deal's demise.

The supermarket chain had tried to join forces with Kroger, but judges sided with federal and state regulators who charged that the merger would reduce competition.

In an historic ruling for labor and antitrust advocates, a federal judge blocked the $25 billion merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons.