Kroger axes 60 stores across 16 states—as many as 9,000 store employees affected as $2.6B impairment charge looms

Kroger, the nation's largest supermarket chain, plans to shutter about 60 stores by the end of 2026, affecting roughly 2% of its more than 2,700 locations nationwide. The closures could impact as many as 9,000 store employees, based on typical staffing levels of 100–150 workers per location. This move marks a pivotal shift as the company grapples with fallout from a blocked merger, leadership upheaval, and a push for operational efficiency in a...