Kroger closes at least 3 dozen stores across 9 grocery banners

Key Points:

• Kroger has closed at least 39 stores across nine banners since announcing last year plans to shutter 60 locations by the end of 2026 that were not delivering sustainable results, aiming to improve operational efficiency and long-term business health.
• The closures affect various Kroger banners including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food and Drug, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pick ’n Save, and QFC, with locations spread across multiple states such as Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• Some shuttered locations are being replaced by larger Kroger Marketplace stores, which offer a broader selection of non-grocery merchandise, as part of Kroger’s consolidation strategy.
• These closures coincide with Kroger’s recent $1.65 billion acquisition announcement of regional grocery chain Giant Eagle, which will add 197 supermarkets and 11 pharmacies, expanding Kroger’s footprint in Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic markets.
• As of January 2026, Kroger operates 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states under about 20 banners, and the company has not released a full list of stores slated for closure.