Kroger’s $25 billion proposed takeover of rival Albertsons ultimately failed because two judges – one federal and the other from the state of Washington – didn’t buy the competitive vision the grocers were trying to sell,

The grocers both signaled that they are in strong financial shape and said they would devote billions of dollars to repurchase shares from investors.

Grocery-store chains Albertsons Cos. and Kroger Co. said Wednesday that they were walking away from their merger deal, a day after two judges blocked it. But the drama didn’t end there. Minutes after that announcement,