One of America’s biggest supermarket chains is closing dozens of stores — including locations in California — even as it goes on a massive acquisition spree.
Kroger, the Cincinnati-based grocery giant, has been on a multi-year move to shutter more than 60 “underperforming” stores nationwide, shifting resources toward locations it considers stronger bets.
According to a report by Inc.com, Kroger shut down stores at following locations in the Golden State:
- 8122 Gerber Road, Sacramento, CA 95828 (Foods Co.)
- 19200 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 (Food 4 Less; will reopen as Ralphs)
Five stores each are closing in Virginia and Wisconsin as part of a multi-state retail contraction. The closures also target four locations in Illinois, three in Indiana, and two in Colorado, alongside at least one location in Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia, according to Advance Local.
The company leadership frames these closures not as a retreat, but as a tactical consolidation. In regions like West Virginia, Kroger is actively migrating shoppers into newer “Kroger Marketplace” facilities. The grocery giant launched a 122,000-square-foot marketplace in the region, valued at $40.3 million in June of this year.
While the cleanup proceeds, Kroger has acquired Giant Eagle, headquartered in Cranberry Township of Pennsylvania. The $1.65 billion deal, which is expected to close in 2027, will add 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies to the company’s existing network, according to Cleveland.com.
“We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear,” said Greg Foran, Chief Executive Officer at Kroger, reports the news outlet.
“Giant Eagle expands our reach into attractive adjacent markets, allowing us to do what we do best: Run outstanding stores, deliver fresh foods and convenient meal solutions at affordable prices, and take care of our customers and associates every single day,” he added.
Another famous California grocery store, Albertsons is undergoing a transformation that is going to affect every shopper in the Golden State.
Kroger’s network includes 2,700 stores operating under various regional banners, such as Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and King Soopers.
Albertsons CEO Susan Morris said in an earnings call last month that the grocery chain intends to accelerate investments aimed at lowering prices in hopes that traffic, amount of product sold and loyalty to the chain will be boosted.
Morris also believes the chain’s reorganization that consolidates 11 divisions into four regions will help them in their plans to “sharpen accountability and strengthen execution in the areas that matter most to our customers: fresh service, store standards, local merchandising and community connection.”
California had the third-highest cost for groceries in the nation, according to 2025 data, just below Hawaii and Alaska. Shoppers spent $127 on groceries weekly in California.
