Albertsons and Kroger insist a merger would help them lower prices and better compete with big rivals such as Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

Kroger Co. lifted its full-year sales guidance as the grocery-store operator benefits from consumers prioritizing spending on groceries and other essentials.

Kroger is poised to sell investment-grade bonds in at least seven parts to help fund its proposed acquisition of Albertsons as antitrust scrutiny continues to hang over the plan.

A Colorado judge issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $25 billion merger of Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., which has been challenged by the state attorney general.

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.