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Major Supermarket Chain Closes 39 Stores With Dozens More Set To Follow [Kroger, et al]
WLT Report ^ | August 13, 2026 | Anthony

Posted on 08/13/2026 4:37:09 AM PDT by Red Badger

Your local Kroger may be in danger of closing.

A new report has revealed 39 Kroger supermarket stores some of which are identified under a different banner have closed its doors.

The closings won’t end there though.

Dozens more are set to close its doors by the end of 2026.

Fox Business was the first to break the story and provided insight on what led Kroger to make the tough call:

Kroger has closed at least three dozen stores since announcing plans last year to shutter 60 locations that were not “delivering sustainable results” by the end of 2026.

The Cincinnati-based grocery giant did not release a full list of stores or banners slated for closure, but online searches listed 39 locations across nine banners as no longer operating. Local reports also confirmed that many of the locations were part of the broader store overhaul.

As of January 2026, Kroger operated 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states under roughly 20 banners, including

Fred Meyer,

Fry’s Food and Drug,

Harris Teeter,

Jay C,

King Soopers,

Mariano’s,

Pick ’n Save,

QFC,

Ralphs,

according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The company said the closures are intended to help it “run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business,” according to FOX 26 Houston, which reported that two Houston-area locations were slated to close in April.

The closures come as Kroger announced plans last month to acquire regional grocery chain Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, which would add another 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

Kroger in recent years has seemed more interested in selling shopper’s data than keeping their stores open.

WKYC reported more on Kroger cashing on its customer’s data:

Grocery store loyalty programs offer customers digital coupons, fuel discounts and product recall notifications in exchange for membership. However, a Consumer Reports investigation has found that Kroger, one of the nation’s largest grocery chains, collects and monetizes shopper data on a scale that exceeds typical retail practices.

According to the investigation, retail loyalty programs typically require customers to provide their name, home address, email address and phone number during signup. Store chains then track purchasing patterns to build customer profiles. While this practice is common across the industry, Consumer Reports found that Kroger has developed what it characterizes as a sophisticated data collection and analysis operation.

“Store chains often collect your name, home address, email address, and phone number. Then study what’s in your grocery cart. Many retailers do this, but Kroger, one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., is doing it in a much bigger, profitable way,” said Derek Kravitz, an investigative reporter with Consumer Reports.

The investigation found that Kroger uses collected data both internally and sells it to third parties for targeted marketing purposes. The company’s precision marketing division generated an estimated $527 million last year. These alternative profit ventures now account for more than 35% of Kroger’s net income, according to Consumer Reports.

Watch Senator Josh Hawley expose Kroger:

VIDEO AT LINK..........


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food; Health/Medicine; Society
KEYWORDS:

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To: dynachrome

I guess price gouging doesn’t pay after all.


81 posted on 08/13/2026 1:00:31 PM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
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To: Red Badger

<>“Store chains often collect your name, home address, email address, and phone number. Then study what’s in your grocery cart. Kroger uses collected data both internally and sells it to third parties for targeted marketing purposes.<>

Where is the outrage? Nowhere.

Meanwhile, Freepers get their panties in a wad over license plate readers.


82 posted on 08/13/2026 2:40:28 PM PDT by Jacquerie (ArticleVBlog.com)
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To: bk1000
I despise Kroger. I drive past one on my way to Publix. The Kroger cashier asked for my “Kroger card”. I was upset that I had to give personal information in order to save money on my food. Cashier said to use a fake name on the application. So, now not only does Kroger want my personal information, but they advise lying as a work-around. Not the place I want to shop.

All of my so called LOYALTY DISCOUNT CARDS are under names like Herman Munster, Fester Addams, Elmer Fudd, Arnold Zifel, and other names with bogus addresses. As for the application and fill it out then look for the youngest clerk and hand it to them and enjoy your card. I've done it for years.

83 posted on 08/13/2026 2:53:26 PM PDT by cva66snipe
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To: thinden

Word to your mama!


84 posted on 08/14/2026 6:47:36 AM PDT by RinaseaofDs (Imagine what we'll know tomorrow.)
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