The $24.6-billion merger of Kroger and Albertsons supermarkets was designed to enrich corporate insiders at the expense of consumers. It won't be missed.

Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C & S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.

Two federal court rulings this week blocked the proposed Kroger-Albertsons $25 billion supermarket megamerger, meaning the chains will continue to operate separately. Meanwhile, Albertsons has sued Kroger, alleging the company held back on information that ...