Kroger to close 60 underperforming stores after failed Albertsons merger
Amid plans to shut 60 stores, Kroger commits to new openings and employee relocations, navigating challenges after the attempted merger with Albertsons.
Scripps News
More reports of Kroger-owned locations shuttering across the country are appearing as employees and customers learning that their closest store is set to close.
The announcements come as Kroger said it would be closing 60 locations in the U.S. over the next 18 months, the company said on June 20.
Erin Rolfes, a spokesperson for Kroger, told USA TODAY the company would not be releasing a full list of closures, but several closing locations have been identified through media reports in several states, including in Illinois, Kentucky, Texas and more.
Interim CEO Ron Sargent said during a conference call on Friday, June 20, that the unprofitable stores being closed were spread around the U.S.
Kroger operated 2,731 stores at the beginning of its fiscal year, meaning the closures represent about 2% of all of its locations.
The chain also reaffirmed its plan to spend between $3.6 billion and $3.8 billion this year on capital expenditures, such as money for building new stores and expanding and renovating existing ones.
Kroger also said it would offer roles in other stores to all associates currently employed at closing locations.
Which Kroger locations are closing?
Kroger has not released a full list of stores set to close, but news of some specific closures has emerged.
Some closures have been disclosed by chapters of the United Food & Commercial Workers, a labor union representing approximately 1.3 million retail, meatpacking and food processing workers in the U.S. and Canada. Others have been reported by local media or confirmed by USA TODAY. Here’s a running list of Kroger stores tapped for closure:
Georgia
Illinois
- 3311 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria, Illinois; closing about Aug. 2 (per Peoria Journal Star)
- Mariano’s: 450 W Half Day Rd., Buffalo Grove, Illinois; closing by Aug. 8 (per NBC 5 Chicago)
- Mariano’s: 144 S Gary Ave., Bloomingdale, Illinois; closing by Aug. 15 (per NBC 5 Chicago)
- Mariano’s: 2323 Capital Dr., Northbrook, Illinois; closing by Aug. 22 (per NBC 5 Chicago)
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
- 4100 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City, Louisiana (per SOBO News)
Maryland
- Harris Teeter: 11845 Old Georgetown Rd. Rockville, Maryland; closing by July 20
North Carolina
- Harris Teeter: 5563 Western Blvd, Raleigh, North Carolina; closing by July 20
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
- 1904 Emmett Street, Charlottesville, Virginia; closing Aug. 22 (per UFCW Local 400)
- 466 South Cummings Street, Abingdon, Virginia; closing Sept. 19 (per UFCW Local 400)
- Harris Teeter: 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr., McLean, Virginia; closing by July 20
- Harris Teeter: 950 S. George Mason Dr, Arlington, Virginia; closing by July 20
- Harris Teeter: 3600 S. Glebe Rd., Suite W100 Arlington, Virginia; closing by Aug. 4
West Virginia
- 2908 State St., Gassaway, West Virginia; closing date Aug. 22 (per UFCW Local 400)
Wisconsin
Five Pick ‘n Save stores are closing in Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. Pick ‘n Save is owned by Kroger.
- Pick ‘n Save: 1735 W. Silver Spring Drive, Glendale
- Pick ‘n Save: 3701 S. 27th St., Milwaukee
- Pick ‘n Save: 2355 N. 35th St., Milwaukee
- Pick ‘n Save: 2931 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee
- Pick ‘n Save: 2320 W. Ryan Road, Oak Creek
Contributing: Sofia Joseph, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
