Kroger Stores Closing Nationwide: See the Full List of Locations Shutting Down This Year

Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Nationwide: What Shoppers Need to Know America’s largest traditional supermarket chain, Kroger, confirmed in its latest earnings call that roughly 60 under-performing stores—about 5 % of its 1,200-plus locations—will close over the next 18 months. The move is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative as the grocer prepares for its pending merger with Albertsons and navigates cooling pandemic-era grocery demand. Key facts at a glance • Number of stores affected: ~60 • Timeline: Closures roll out from July 2025 through December 2026 • Immediate financial impact: $100 million impairment charge already booked by Kroger • Brands involved: Kroger, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and Dillon’s • Status of pharmacies & fuel centers: Most will remain open until final shut-down dates Which locations are on the chopping block? While Kroger has not released a one-page master list, local filings and worker notices reveal a coast-to-coast mix of urban and suburban stores that consistently lag regional averages in sales per square foot. Early confirmed closures include: – Atlanta, GA: 2452 Morosgo Way (July 19, 2025) – Alpharetta, GA: 11877 Douglas Rd. (Aug 16, 2025) – Louisville, KY: 5535 New Cut Rd. (Sept 2025) – Seattle, WA: QFC at 1401 Broadway (Oct 2025) – South Bend, IN: 926 Western Ave. (Nov 2025) Expect additional announcements state by state as lease negotiations conclude. Shoppers can check Kroger’s interactive store locator or call 1-800-KRO-GERS for real-time status. Why is Kroger closing stores now? 1. Inflation-weary consumers: Basket sizes have shrunk four straight quarters. 2. Labor and shrink costs: Wage hikes and theft losses outpaced same-store sales growth. 3. Merger hurdles: Regulators scrutinizing the $24.6 billion Albertsons deal want proof of cost synergies; pruning low-margin assets helps Kroger’s argument. 4. Competitive pressure: Aldi, Walmart, and Costco have siphoned price-sensitive shoppers. What happens to employees? Roughly 5,000 associates will be offered transfers to nearby Kroger banners when possible. The United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) union says it will negotiate severance packages and job-placement assistance in markets with no overlapping stores. Impact on shoppers & loyalty programs • Digital coupons, Boost memberships, and fuel points stay valid at any open Kroger family location. • Prescription records automatically transfer to the nearest sister pharmacy unless customers opt out. • Gift cards remain redeemable chain-wide. Industry implications Analysts view the closures as a strategic retreat to higher-density markets—a tactic similar to Walmart’s 2023 exit from Chicago and Walgreens’ 2024 rural pullback. If the Albertsons merger clears, expect further rationalization as overlapping stores are divested. How to prepare if your store is listed 1. Redeem fuel points before the posted closure date. 2. Transfer prescriptions early to avoid refill delays. 3. Watch local zoning boards; some vacated properties are already slated for Aldi or Amazon Fresh. Bottom line Kroger’s decision signals a new phase in the grocery price war. For consumers, the immediate effect is longer trips for weekly staples. For the industry, the aggressive store-culling underscores how thin margins—and a mega-merger—are reshaping where Americans buy their bread and milk.