Kroger customers and workers are blindsided by another wave of closures
The so-called “retail apocalypse” is not slowing down. Kroger, one of the biggest grocery store chains in the U.S., has announced that more stores will be closing in October 2025. It’s all part of a larger trend in retail, with analysts stating up to 45,000 stores across the country could shut their doors by 2029.
These store closures in recent times will impact customers and employees, especially in the Seattle region. Let us take a closer look at the stores that are closing and why Kroger is closing these stores.
Which Kroger stores are closing in October?
Kroger has confirmed that two well-known stores in Washington state will be closing this fall. The affected stores are:
- QFC at 13000 Lake City Way NE (Seattle area)
- Fred Meyer at 17667 NE 76th St (Redmond)
- Both locations will shut down between October 17 and October 18, 2025.
These are not one-off shutdowns. Kroger also shut down Kent and Everett stores earlier this year, at least four big shutdowns in the state this year alone.
According to union figures provided by UFCW 3000, some 343 workers will be directly affected. Kroger, however, says it will transfer workers to other stores where feasible.
What Kroger says about the closures
A spokesperson for Kroger stated that while the company remains committed to the communities it serves, it has to do so in a way that is financially sustainable.
“All of the associates will be offered a job at another location,” the spokesperson said, adding that the decision did not come easily.
The company also pointed to a rise in theft and what it called a “difficult regulatory environment” in Washington as main reasons for the closures.
Do statistics on crime reveal the whole story?
Interestingly, local crime statistics don’t always bear out Kroger’s claims. For example, Everett Police Department records show that theft cases at an Evergreen Fred Meyer have actually gone down in recent years.
- In 2020, the store reported 68 thefts.
- In 2023, the number dropped to 24.
- In 2024, the store reported just 12 thefts.
- By July 2025, just six incidents had been reported.
This means that shoplifting might be a problem in some areas but is not necessarily the sole reason for Kroger to shut down stores.
A broader plan for the company
The October shutdowns are components of Kroger’s broader restructuring plan. The company stated it’s planning to shut down 60 stores around the nation within the next 18 months.
In the meantime, Kroger is trying to balance things out by investing in other places. The company says it will:
- Remodel or expand 30 stores in 2025
Open new stores starting in 2026
Those investments should make Kroger more profitable in the long run, even though communities losing stores now may feel like they’re being left behind.
Which stores are hardest hit?
Some locations are harder hit than others. In the Puget Sound area of Washington, at least six Kroger-owned stores are shutting down. Other metropolitan areas, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, will see multiple store closures as well.
Meanwhile, Kroger was sure to note that some chains it owns, such as Dillons stores, are not affected. The clarification is aimed at reassuring loyal customers who may worry their store is next.
What it means for shoppers and workers
For shoppers, the closures mean fewer stores at which to shop for groceries, especially in neighbourhoods that are poorly served by supermarkets. For workers, even though Kroger has made statements that the workers will be offered new jobs, the closures still create uncertainty and stress.
The U.S. retail market is rapidly changing, and Kroger’s October closures are merely another sign of just how challenging the market has become.
