(Reuters) -Kroger on Friday took a $1.4-billion charge related to a nationwide opioid settlement in the quarter and warned of weaker sales in the second half of the year, as the U.S. grocer expects consumer spending to remained challenged. The settlement by Kroger comes on the heels of a collective $13.8-billion settlement agreed upon by other retailers, including CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart, in November last year. Kroger, which is merging with smaller rival Albertsons in a $25-billion deal, also said it would sell 413 grocery stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers as the companies seek to secure clearance from U.S. regulators for their proposed $24.6-billion merger.