Whether it’s mergers or marriages, sometimes love just isn’t enough. 

That may be what people at the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association are feeling today after the two groups said they ended merger talks.

“RILA and NRF have ended discussions aimed at merging the two organizations. NRF and RILA will devote all resources to continuing the work they are each doing to address the serious issues that America’s consumers and retailers are facing in today’s economic environment,” the two boards of directors said in a joint statement.

At first it seemed so good — like a merger made in (retail trade group) heaven.  And they spoke so fondly of one another, too.

“The challenges and opportunities before our members are unprecedented. Now is the right time to bring these associations together,” said RILA Chairman, Robert Niblock, CEO of Lowe’s Cos, and NRF Chairman Mike Ullman, CEO of J.C. Penney, in a joint statement when they announced talks over the merger in April.

Though merger talks have broken down, the two organizations will continue to work toward very similar goals of lobbying for the Organized Retail Crime Act and the E-Fencing Enforcement Act, and against the the Employee Free Choice Act.