Kroger (KR) to Close 60 Stores by 2026 Amid Downsizing Plan

Kroger (KR) has announced plans to close approximately 60 stores by the end of 2026 as part of a broader downsizing trend began in 2025, which will extend at least through 2027. Stop & Shop will also close stores in Basking Ridge and Westfield, N.J., while Raley's Companies plans to shut seven locations in California and Nevada, impacting 48 employees in Petaluma alone. Raley's cited local market conditions and financial sustainability for its actions, and despite the closures, plans to open a new store in Madera, Calif., in March 2027. This matters for investors as the ongoing closures highlight challenges in the grocery sector, including competition and changing consumer preferences.