Kroger Casts Itself as Consumer Advocate Amid 50-Plus Store Closures
WHO:
Bloomberg Markets - Kroger CFO David Kennerley discussed the company’s consumer-value plans with Romaine Bostick on “The Close.”
Fast Company - Kroger’s store-closure plan was announced by then-interim CEO Ronald Sargent; the company is currently led by CEO Greg Foran.
Fast Company - Kroger-owned grocery brands affected by closures include Kroger, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, QFC, Mariano’s, Food 4 Less, Fry’s Food and Drug, Pick ’n Save, and Jay C Food Stores.
Fast Company - The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) represents Kroger workers. Kroger said employees affected by closures could apply for jobs at other Kroger-owned locations.
WHAT:
Bloomberg Markets - Kroger plans to invest $5 billion in consumer value, including affordable groceries and simpler promotions, and seek $4 billion in structural cost savings to fund the effort.
Bloomberg Markets - Kennerley said inflation had risen slightly but remained within the range Kroger projected earlier in the year; Kroger would accept supplier price increases only when justified.
Fast Company - Fast Company’s review found that at least 50 Kroger-owned supermarkets had closed since June 2025. The review identified 51 stores that had closed or were expected to close soon.
Fast Company - Sargent announced plans to close roughly 60 underperforming stores by the end of 2026. Closures affected at least 18 states and included more than two dozen stores under the Kroger banner.
Fast Company - Kroger’s store count was 2,697 at the beginning of 2026, compared with 2,731 a year earlier, according to annual financial filings.
Fast Company - Kroger executives announced a plan to open 110 stores by 2029. Kennerley projected the new stores would generate $7 billion in incremental annualized sales.
Fast Company - Kroger shares rose 1.79% on Wednesday after investor-day announcements and were down 6.52% over the preceding 12 months as of Wednesday’s close.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The listed closures span at least 18 states, including locations in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
Fast Company - Some closures occurred in communities where fresh-food access was already limited, raising concerns about grocery deserts.
WHY:
Fast Company - Kroger described the planned closures as part of reducing its national store footprint and targeting underperforming stores.
Fast Company - Kroger has pursued cost-cutting and operational streamlining after its proposed merger with Albertsons was blocked by courts; the article says the resulting legal battle was ongoing.
HOW:
Fast Company - Fast Company compiled its store list using local media reports, Google Maps and review data, and store-locator tools across Kroger brands.
Fast Company - Kroger has cut thousands of corporate jobs and adopted AI-powered solutions to streamline operations and improve customer experience.
Fast Company - Kroger did not identify which listed locations were closed under its footprint-optimization plan and did not respond to Fast Company’s requests for comment about closures or possible additional closures.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 22:16 UTC)
Kroger plans to invest $5 billion in consumer value, offering more affordable groceries and simpler promotions, while seeking $4 billion in structural cost savings to help pay for the effort. CFO David Kennerley says inflation has risen slightly but remains within the range the company projected, and Kroger will accept supplier price increases only when justified. At the same time, the grocery chain is shrinking its footprint: a review identified 51 Kroger-owned stores that have closed or are expected to close soon, across at least 18 states. The closures affect brands including Kroger, Fred Meyer and Harris Teeter, and some communities already have limited access to fresh food. Kroger has said affected employees can apply for jobs at other company locations. Led by CEO Greg Foran, the company is also planning to open 110 stores by 2029, which Kennerley expects will generate $7 billion in additional annualized sales.