Kroger Is Closing 60 Stores by End of 2026: 5 Great Alternatives If Your Local One Closes
Written by
Ashley Donohoe
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Kroger recently announced that it will shut down 60 of its over 2,700 stores by the end of 2026. The company’s quarterly report noted that this move would help it save money that it plans to put toward its “customer experience.”
While the retailer isn’t providing a list, USA Today named Kroger stores in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee and West Virginia among the locations. Other reported closings included Pick ‘n Save and Harris Teeter locations, which Kroger also owns.
If you find out your beloved local Kroger will be cut, you don’t have to panic. Check out these five great alternatives that offer competitive prices and other potential perks, like strong loyalty programs and great private brand products.
Aldi
With over 2,500 stores across the U.S., Aldi offers a unique shopping experience compared to Kroger.
Its stores have a much smaller selection of grocery items, which are mainly the company’s private brands, so it’s better for grabbing the basics. Plus, you’ll need to put a quarter in your shopping cart, bag your own groceries and pay for any grocery bags you need.
But those unique cost-cutting moves help the chain offer very competitive prices without you needing to worry about coupons or loyalty programs. Aldi topped Rachel Cruze’s list of the cheapest grocery stores, and she listed canned goods, fresh produce and cheese as some of her favorite items to buy at the retailer.
Meijer
Meijer is a Michigan-based chain that also has stores in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky. It’s a regional Kroger competitor that has various store formats, including many supercenters that sell clothes, electronics, sporting goods and other items alongside the large grocery selection.
The retailer is often comparable in price to Kroger and offers frequent sales and a similar loyalty program that lets you save more. If you sign up for mPerks, you’ll be able to clip digital coupons and earn points from your gas station, pharmacy and everyday store purchases. Those points can go toward money off future purchases, waived delivery fees and redemptions for free items.
Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly is a smaller Kroger competitor that has most of its more than 500 independent locations in the South and Midwest. It markets itself as the country’s first self-service grocer and stands out for often having lower prices than Kroger, especially when it comes to store brands.
While you can expect a smaller product selection than Kroger has, this retailer offers more than the bargain chain Aldi, including a gas station and pharmacy. Plus, it has a loyalty program called Pig Points, which lets you earn and redeem points, use digital coupons and enjoy special offers.
Publix
According to the company’s website, Publix ranks among the nation’s 10 largest supermarket chains and has around 1,400 stores concentrated in the southeastern states. It’s a growing competitor for Kroger, and the company is working on expanding its presence. It has also become a favorite for its customer service, employee experience and bakery and deli items.
In March 2025, the Lexington Herald-Leader did a price test and found that Publix was often somewhat pricier than Kroger for store-brand items, such as ground beef, eggs and coffee, though milk was cheaper. But the chain has regular sales and offers the Club Publix loyalty program, which gives you access to coupons, weekly deals and even a free birthday treat.
Walmart
With around 4,600 stores across all states, Walmart is a Kroger alternative that you’ll likely find conveniently near you. While it’s known for selling just about any household item and offering various services, Walmart is also a good place to get groceries at a comparable or lower price than Kroger. It came in second after Aldi for grocery prices in a 2024 AARP study.
Unlike Kroger and some alternatives, Walmart doesn’t have a free loyalty program with coupons and reward points, though some items bought online come with savings or Walmart Cash. You can also pay for Walmart+ and get a long list of perks, such as free home delivery and shipping, travel and gas discounts, free pet and auto care services, and access to exclusive deals.
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