Kroger just dropped a bombshell: 60 of its stores are closing over the next 18 months. The grocery giant is grappling with falling sales, rising costs, labor unrest, and the fallout of a failed megamerger. From executive shakeups to economic turmoil, Kroger’s once-steady ground is now a minefield. And while some stores get shiny makeovers, others are getting the axe. Here’s a slide-by-slide look at what’s unraveling behind the supermarket shelves.
Kroger’s Profit Panic: Why 60 Stores Face the Axe in Desperate Overhaul
Kroger isn’t just trimming the fat—it’s making deep cuts. The company says the closures are part of a broader plan to simplify operations and focus on long-term growth. Interim CEO Ronald Sargent admitted that not all stores are meeting performance expectations. In other words, if a store isn’t pulling its weight, it’s getting pulled.
Sales Slump Slaughter: Q1 Drop from $45.3B to $45.1B Sparks Shutdown Frenzy
The numbers may not seem catastrophic, but in retail, every decimal counts. A slight dip in sales—from $45.3 billion to $45.1 billion in Q1—has triggered a strategic reckoning. Analysts believe this is a wake-up call for the brand to tighten up before things spiral. The closures are one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Cost Crisis Escalates: Inflation and Tariffs Hammer Kroger’s Bottom Line
Kroger is also feeling the squeeze from inflation, rising wages, and mounting operational costs. From shipping tariffs to skyrocketing food prices, the bottom line is under assault. Staying competitive in a ruthless grocery market is harder than ever. Cutting costs through closures is one way to weather the storm.
Timeline of Doom: 60 Closures Roll Out Over Next 18 Months to 2026
The shutdowns won’t happen all at once. Kroger plans to close 60 underperforming stores gradually over the next year and a half. While specific locations haven’t all been named yet, the rollout is already in motion. Expect a steady drip of bad news through 2026.
Georgia Gutted: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Decatur Stores Lead the Purge
Georgia is among the first to feel the impact. Several stores in Atlanta-area cities like Alpharetta and Decatur are reportedly set to close. Locals are bracing for the disruption as Kroger begins its retreat. The Peach State is just the beginning.
Illinois Implosion: Multiple Mariano’s in Buffalo Grove, Bloomingdale Axed
Kroger’s subsidiary Mariano’s isn’t safe either. Multiple locations in the Illinois suburbs of Buffalo Grove and Bloomingdale are getting the boot. These closures add to growing concerns about Kroger’s grip on regional markets. And they won’t be the last.
Wisconsin Wipeout: Five Pick ‘n Save Locations Crushed in Milwaukee Area
In Wisconsin, five Pick ‘n Save stores are being shuttered in and around Milwaukee. The blow to local access and employment is already sparking outrage. Residents worry these losses could create food deserts in vulnerable communities. The fallout is real and growing.
Virginia and Texas Torched: Harris Teeter, McKinney Sites Join the Carnage
It’s not just the Midwest. Virginia and Texas are also on the chopping block. Kroger-owned Harris Teeter stores in McLean and Arlington are set to close, along with a key location in McKinney, Texas. The closures are hitting coast to coast.
Subsidiary Shockwave: Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save Bear the Brunt
Kroger’s smaller banners are shouldering the worst of the cuts. Harris Teeter and Pick ‘n Save have seen the most closures so far, signaling a retreat from some of Kroger’s regional experiments. It’s a survival-of-the-fittest situation—and not all names will make it.
Job Losses Loom: Thousands at Risk in Kroger’s Ruthless Efficiency Drive
With 60 stores closing, the job cuts could be in the thousands. The company hasn’t released exact figures, but each store typically employs dozens of people. Unions are scrambling to secure protections, but many workers fear the worst. It’s a grim chapter for grocery workers.
$100M Hit: Impairment Charge Bites, But Modest Savings Promised
Kroger expects to take a $100 million impairment charge from the closures. While that’s a tough pill to swallow, executives say long-term savings will help stabilize the business. Whether that pans out remains to be seen. For now, it’s short-term pain for uncertain gain.
CEO Chaos and Failed Merger: Internal Turmoil Fuels Store Purge
Rodney McMullen’s surprise resignation in March followed a conduct investigation, throwing the company into disarray. At the same time, Kroger’s $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons collapsed under regulatory scrutiny. Together, these setbacks have forced Kroger into full damage-control mode.
Reinvestment Rally: $3.8B Poured into Renovations Amid Closures
Oddly enough, Kroger is spending big while cutting back. The company has committed $3.8 billion to renovate and expand remaining stores. The goal? Invest in high-performing locations while ditching the dead weight. It’s a high-risk bet on quality over quantity.
Communities Crushed: Local Economies Reel from Kroger’s Retreat
Each store closure sends shockwaves through its local economy. Cities like Peoria and Raleigh are already preparing for job losses and reduced access to groceries. The closures hit hardest in communities that rely on Kroger the most. For many, the loss is personal.
Grocery Apocalypse Ahead: Will Kroger’s Cuts Save or Sink the Giant?
Kroger’s future hangs in the balance. The brand is betting big on fewer stores, smarter investments, and streamlined operations. But if cost-cutting goes too far, it could lose the trust of workers and customers alike. Time will tell whether this reset is a rescue—or a retreat.
