You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors floating around the produce aisle. One minute, Kroger is the king of the grocery world, and the next, there’s talk about a massive "kroger closing 60 stores list" that has shoppers and employees alike checking their GPS for the nearest competitor. It’s a lot to process, especially when you just want to know if your local shop is going to be a hollowed-out shell by next month.
Honestly, the situation is a bit of a mess, but there is a method to the madness.
In late 2025, Kroger’s leadership finally pulled the trigger on a plan they’d been sitting on for a while. They announced they would be shutting down roughly 60 underperforming locations over an 18-month window. This isn't just about a bad quarter or two. It’s a calculated, somewhat cold, business move to trim the fat and focus on where the money actually is.
Why is Kroger Closing 60 Stores?
It basically comes down to a "merger hangover." For a long time, Kroger was locked in a high-stakes battle to merge with Albertsons. While that legal drama was playing out in the courts, the company basically hit "pause" on their usual store evaluations. They didn't want to close stores while trying to prove to the government that they weren't creating a monopoly.
Once the merger dust settled (or rather, once it became clear they needed to pivot), the interim CEO, Ron Sargent, admitted they had a backlog of "underperforming" sites.
Think of it like cleaning out a closet you haven't touched in three years. You’re going to find some stuff that just doesn't fit anymore.
Kroger isn't going broke. Far from it. They’re actually reporting billions in sales. But they realized that some of these stores were "bleeding" money, and they’d rather take a $100 million impairment charge now to save the bottom line later. They want to take those savings and dump them into fancy new tech, better delivery options, and store remodels for the locations that actually make money.
The Kroger Closing 60 Stores List: Where Are They?
The company hasn’t handed out a nice, neat PDF with every address listed. That would be too easy. Instead, the "kroger closing 60 stores list" has been trickling out through local news reports, WARN notices (those legal filings companies have to make before mass layoffs), and union leaks.
If you’re looking for specific spots, several states have already felt the sting.
Mid-Atlantic and South
Virginia has been hit surprisingly hard. We’re talking about locations in Abingdon and Charlottesville. In West Virginia, the Gassaway store was on the chopping block. Down in Georgia, the "kroger closing 60 stores list" includes several spots around the Atlanta metro area—places like Alpharetta, Brookhaven, and Decatur.
It’s a bit of a shock for these communities. Often, these stores are the only major grocery option within a five-mile radius.
The Midwest and Texas
The Midwest isn’t safe either. Peoria, Illinois, lost a major location on North Sterling Ave. Over in Indiana, South Bend and Elkhart saw closures. Wisconsin is seeing a significant trim to the Pick 'n Save banner, specifically in Milwaukee and Glendale.
And then there’s Texas. One of the most recent confirmed hits was a Kroger in McKinney, right at the intersection of Lake Forest Drive and Eldorado Parkway. Staff there were told they’d be closing up shop by early March 2026.
The West Coast and Others
Even California is seeing some movement. A Food 4 Less in Santa Clarita is slated to close by March 20, 2026. Interestingly, that one is being replaced by a remodeled Ralphs nearby, which shows Kroger isn't leaving the neighborhood—they’re just consolidating their brands.
It's Not Just "Kroger" Stores
Kroger is a giant umbrella. When we talk about the kroger closing 60 stores list, we’re also talking about:
- Harris Teeter (several locations in Virginia and Maryland)
- Mariano’s (Buffalo Grove and Bloomingdale, IL, among others)
- Pick 'n Save
- Fred Meyer
- Food 4 Less
Divestiture vs. Closure: Don't Get Them Confused
There is a massive piece of misinformation floating around. You might see lists online claiming 579 stores are "closing."
That is wrong.
That number refers to the divestiture list from the Albertsons merger attempt. Those stores weren't supposed to close; they were supposed to be sold to a company called C&S Wholesale Grocers to keep competition alive.
The 60-store list we’re talking about is different. These are the ones Kroger is straight-up killing off because they aren't profitable.
What This Means For You
If your local store is on the list, the first thing you’ll notice is the "clearance" vibe. Usually, they give a 60-day notice. You’ll see shelves getting thinner, and the floral department might look a little sad.
Kroger has been pretty vocal about trying to keep their people. They’ve promised to offer roles at other nearby locations to all associates at the affected stores. So, while the building might go dark, you might see your favorite cashier a few miles down the road at a different branch.
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Actionable Steps for Shoppers
- Burn Your Points: If you have a mountain of fuel points or digital coupons, use them now. While they usually transfer to other Kroger banners, it’s easier to spend them where you usually shop before the doors lock.
- Check the Pharmacy: This is the big one. If you get your meds at a closing Kroger, you need to call and have your prescriptions transferred at least three weeks before the closing date. Don't wait until the last day; the systems can get bogged down.
- Watch the "Last Days": About two weeks before a store closes, they usually start slashing prices on non-perishables to avoid moving them. It’s a great time to stock up on canned goods or household cleaners.
- Update Your App: If you use the Kroger app for delivery or pickup, you’ll need to change your "Home Store" settings to the next nearest location to see what’s actually in stock.
The kroger closing 60 stores list is a symptom of a grocery industry that is changing fast. Between the rise of Aldi’s discount model and the behemoth that is Walmart, Kroger is trying to stay lean. It’s frustrating for the people who lose their neighborhood store, but in the corporate world, it’s just another Tuesday of "streamlining."
Keep an eye on local news or your store's front window. If a "Store Closing" sign hasn't appeared yet, you're likely safe for now, but with the 18-month timeline extending through 2026, it’s worth staying alert.