Kroger Co. is fighting back against a lawsuit brought by Albertsons Cos. over its failed $24.6 billion takeover of the rival grocery chain, escalating a dispute that began after US antitrust enforcers succeeded in blocking the deal last year.

U.S. grocery chain Kroger countersued Albertsons on Tuesday, escalating a legal battle between the companies following the collapse of their proposed $25 billion merger in December.