Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen on Thursday repeated that the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant was aiming to close its $25 billion deal to acquire Albertsons.

What's new was that Kroger disclosed the company had “certified substantial compliance” as of Nov. 15 with the Federal Trade Commission. The move could prompt a decision by Dec. 15 by the antitrust regulator to decide whether to approve or fight one of the largest retail mergers ever.