Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. are selling some of their stores in an effort to win regulatory approval for their $25 billion merger, according to people familiar with the matter.

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran made a number of pledges to their customers and employees if their proposed grocery merger prevails.

The proposed merger of food retail giants Kroger and Albertsons has elicited criticism from seven secretaries of state.

Kroger Co. said it’s committed to hunkering down for a long legal battle if U.S. regulators attempt to block its $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos.

Albertsons Cos. is anticipating higher labor costs and “a more difficult consumer environment” in a new sign of caution from big U.S. retailers.

Senators pressed the CEOs of Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. on Nov. 29 about whether their proposed $24.6 billion deal to create a supermarket giant will benefit consumers in an era of rising inflation.

The Senate plans to hold a hearing in November on Kroger Co.’s planned $24.6 billion takeover of Albertsons Cos.

Two of the nation’s largest grocers have agreed to merge as Kroger on Oct. 14 bid $20 billion for Albertsons Companies Inc., or $34.10 per share.

Kroger Co. is in talks about a tie-up with rival Albertsons Cos. in a deal that would create a U.S. grocery giant, people familiar with the matter said.