Will Any Kentucky or Indiana Kroger Locations Shutter During 60-Store Closure?

I think it's weird when I travel and I spend certain lengths of time in cities (or markets, I guess) that have no Kroger stores. "Are we still in the same country?" "Is this a forgotten Twilight Zone episode, and I forgot I was the star?"

Just so you'll know, the "weird" factor dissipates pretty quickly. While Kroger is one of the nation's largest supermarket chains, there are 15 states in which you will come up empty in your search. (In upstate New York, they prefer Wegman's; I mention it because I've been to a couple, and I love them.)

Kroger Closing 60 Stores

In some states, Hy-Vee is the popular choice. Elsewhere, shoppers flock to Giant Eagle or Piggly Wiggly. And then you have Albertson's, which heavily populate several western states along with Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It is the Albertson's chain with which Kroger was going to merge a couple of years back, but that deal fell through in December of 2024.

Will Any Kroger Stores in Kentucky or Indiana Close?

AL.com indicates that it is that failed merger, coupled with ever-increasing competition, that has led the Cincinnati-based grocery behemoth to close down 60 of its underperforming locations. One of those stores is in Louisville; two others are in northern Indiana. Ironically, despite these announced closures, there will be 30 new Kroger stores that will open in 2026, including the new Kroger Marketplace across from Gateway Commons in Owensboro.

There are more than 2,700 Kroger locations in 35 states, including those under subsidiary brand names like Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and Ralphs.