Kroger is closing stores across the country at a pace that has shoppers worried — and the cuts aren’t stopping anytime soon. The grocery giant, which owns brands like Harris Teeter, Pick ’n Save, Fred Meyer, and QFC, has already shuttered 18 locations this summer and plans to close even more over the next year.
Just two months ago, Kroger revealed it planned to shut down 60 stores by 2026. Now, analysts say at least 39 have been confirmed to close in 2025 alone — with 18 already gone.
Where the closures are happening
The shutdowns aren’t evenly spread. Some regions are feeling the pain more than others. According to union announcements and state notices, the hardest-hit areas include:
- Puget Sound, Washington – home to several Fred Meyer and QFC locations
- Chicago and Milwaukee – where Pick ’n Save and Mariano’s stores are disappearing
- Midwest towns – where Kroger-branded stores have long been community staples
Here’s a quick breakdown of the closures so far:
- Kroger: 15 stores
- Harris Teeter: 5 stores
- Pick ’n Save: 5 stores
- Fred Meyer: 6 stores
- Mariano’s: 4 stores
- Jay C, QFC, King Soopers, and Food 4 Less: 1 store each
In total, that’s 39 stores confirmed to close, though it’s still unclear how many will count toward the official 60-store target set for 2026.
What’s behind the shutdowns?
Kroger is facing a tough retail landscape. This includes rising costs, stiff competition from Walmart and Costco, and changing shopping habits that have put pressure on profits. Many customers are shifting to online ordering and home delivery, while inflation continues to pinch household budgets.
Chairman and interim CEO Ron Sargent explained to investors that the company is “reassessing how we spend our money.” In plain terms, Kroger is cutting underperforming locations so it can invest in projects with bigger payoffs.
“We’re reviewing non-core assets, cutting costs wherever we can, and reinvesting those savings into lower prices and better store hours,” Sargent said.
What about the workers?
One bright spot for employees: Kroger says it will try to offer jobs at nearby stores to workers affected by closures. Still, each shutdown disrupts dozens — sometimes hundreds — of people who depend on these stores for a paycheck.
From cashiers and stockers to managers and delivery drivers, the impact is real. A single Kroger closing in a small town can ripple through the local economy — reducing foot traffic for nearby businesses and eliminating good retail jobs.
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Kroger is still expanding — and going digital
Despite the closures, Kroger insists it’s not shrinking overall. The company says it will complete 30 new store projects by the end of 2025 and is doubling down on its e-commerce strategy.
Online grocery orders jumped 15% in the first quarter of 2025, but the digital side of Kroger’s business still isn’t profitable. Sargent says fixing that problem is a top priority:
“Our customers love shopping online, and we’re seeing progress—but we have to make e-commerce profitable. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
What this means for shoppers
For now, most Kroger customers won’t notice big changes — except if their neighbourhood store is one of the unlucky ones closing. But the shake-up signals a major shift: Kroger is cutting weaker stores to focus on lower prices, longer hours, and a stronger digital presence.
The grocery giant is betting that a leaner footprint and smarter investment strategy will help it survive the industry’s brutal price wars. Whether that gamble pays off — and whether shoppers win in the process — will become clear over the next year.
