June 23, 2025 1:30pm EDT
Grocery giant Kroger to close 60 stores in next 18 months
Interim CEO claims shutdowns will make Kroger 'more efficient' despite strong first-quarter results
By Pilar Arias , Bonny Chu FOXBusiness
U.S. grocer Kroger is planning to close dozens of stores by the end of next year.
The massive Cincinnati-based grocery store chain made the announcement on Friday. It operates thousands of supermarkets and pharmacies across the nation and is planning to close 60 stores in the next 18 months, a first-quarter 2025 earnings report said.
While the report said the company's profits "exceeded our expectations," Director Ron Sargent said in an earnings call that the company reviewed areas not meaningful to its future growth and determined that closing the stores "will make the company more efficient."
"Unfortunately, today, not all of our stores are delivering the sustainable results we need," Sargent said on Friday. "To position our company for future success, this morning, we announce plans to close approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months."
The report said the closures cost Kroger a $100 million impairment charge.
However, as a result of the shutdowns, the company "expects a modest financial benefit" and is planning to reinvest the savings back into the customer experience. The loss is not expected to impact full-year guidance.
Kroger told Fox News Digital that the company will not be releasing a list of which locations will be impacted at this time.
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https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/grocery-giant-kroger-close-60-stores-next-18-months
