Kroger to Shut Down 60 Stores—Efficiency Over Community?
So, here's some pretty big news if you shop at Kroger—or Pick ‘n Save, which is part of the same parent company. Kroger just announced that it's planning to close about 60 stores across the U.S. over the next 18 months. That’s a major shake-up for one of the largest grocery chains in the country, with over 410,000 employees and thousands of stores nationwide.
Now, what’s interesting is that this decision comes despite strong financial results . Their recent first-quarter earnings report actually exceeded expectations, with over $45 billion in sales . So it’s not that the company is struggling. In fact, Kroger says the closures are part of a strategic move to become more efficient .
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According to Ron Sargent, one of the company’s directors, not all stores are contributing to future growth. During the earnings call, he explained that shutting down underperforming locations will help streamline operations and allow for reinvestment in other areas—mainly improving the customer experience . Still, the company’s taking a $100 million hit just to carry this out, but they believe it’ll pay off in the long run.
Now, they haven’t released a list of which stores are closing, so customers are left wondering if their neighborhood Kroger—or Pick ‘n Save—is on the chopping block. In Wisconsin alone , five Pick 'n Save locations have already been confirmed for closure in places like Milwaukee, Glendale, Oak Creek , and South Milwaukee . For communities that rely on these stores, the loss could be significant. One shopper described their local store as “the good one,” praising its food, produce, and prices. Another called it a “commodity that’s needed,” fearing the closures will create food deserts —areas where people have limited access to affordable, nutritious food.
To be fair, Kroger says that no jobs will be lost , as all employees from the shuttered stores will be offered positions at other locations. But that doesn't solve the inconvenience for shoppers, especially those who don’t drive or live in lower-income areas. It’s one thing to reassign employees, but quite another to tell a family that their only affordable grocery option is now several miles away.
It’s a tough balancing act. On one side, Kroger is making a business decision—it’s about trimming the fat to focus on profitable growth. But on the other side, this isn't just about dollars and cents. These stores are part of the daily rhythm of people’s lives. When one disappears, it’s not just shelves going dark—it’s a loss of community access, a blow to neighborhoods that may already be underserved.
So, while Kroger gears up for what it calls a more efficient future, we’ve got to ask: at what cost to the communities left behind?
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