Grocery stores are vanishing across the country in 2025—sometimes without much warning. From local independents to big-name retailers, store closures are reshaping how and where Americans shop for food.
Whether you’re wondering about your local Walmart, a Safeway in your region, or the future of your neighborhood’s small grocery, here’s everything you need to know about what’s closing and why.
Why are grocery stores closing in 2025?
The surge in closures is being driven by a combination of factors:
- Failed mergers and legal battles (like Kroger and Albertsons)
- Declining foot traffic and high crime in urban stores
- Shifting consumer habits toward online grocery delivery
- Real estate cost cuts and profit optimization strategies
Coresight Research estimates that 15,000 retail locations will shut down in 2025—more than double last year’s number.
Major chains closing stores in 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the grocery chains with confirmed closures this year:
Walmart
Walmart has already confirmed 11 store closures in 2025, citing underperformance. States affected include:
- California
- Georgia
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
- Maryland
Some corporate offices are closing as well, part of Walmart’s push to consolidate staff in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Albertsons & Safeway
Following the failed Kroger merger, Albertsons is closing several stores to “clean up its real estate portfolio.” Locations already shut down or scheduled to close include:
- Roseburg, Oregon (Albertsons)
- Anchorage, Alaska (Carrs-Safeway)
- Pinole, San Francisco & Vallejo, California
- Rockville, Maryland
Safety concerns and lagging sales have been common reasons cited.
Kroger
Kroger closures in 2025 include:
- Nashville, TN
- Dickinson and The Woodlands, TX
The company is focused on realigning its real estate after the failed merger and its own legal battle with Albertsons.
Amazon Fresh
Despite its tech-forward approach, Amazon has closed:
- Manassas, VA
- Thousand Oaks, CA
These were two of the newer Fresh locations, and their shutdowns impacted over 150 employees.
Giant Food
Giant closed its largest store in Ashburn, VA, saying the region was oversaturated. Parent company Ahold also owns Food Lion and Stop & Shop, both of which have seen scattered closures.
Grocery Outlet
The company canceled 23 leases for unopened stores and scrapped several warehouse projects. Restructuring efforts are ongoing, but up to 30 locations may never open as planned.
Winn-Dixie
As Aldi converts many stores it acquired from Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie closures are underway in:
- Boca Raton, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Leesburg, VA
- Columbia, SC (over 50 years in operation)
- Multiple Alabama locations
Not all stores are being converted—some are closing for good.
Local favorites disappearing too
Tops Friendly Markets
- The DeWitt, NY location closed in April after 40+ years.
- A new location is opening in Ellenville, NY, but several small-market stores face uncertain futures.
Thom’s Market (Austin, TX)
All 3 stores closed in April 2025. While Select Market has taken over the leases, the loss of this community staple was widely felt.
Royal Blue Grocery (Austin, TX)
Their original downtown location closed in June, citing crime and slow sales. It had operated for 15 years.
How this affects grocery access in your area
These closures aren’t just headlines—they impact real communities. Closures can:
- Create food deserts in low-income or rural areas
- Force customers to rely on convenience stores or fast food
- Increase costs as shoppers travel further for groceries
- Disrupt local jobs and economies
If you’re in an affected area, check for:
- Local co-ops or CSA programs
- Expanded pickup/delivery from remaining chains
- Mobile grocery options starting in some urban zones
What you can do
- Check your local store’s website or call to verify its status.
- Sign up for store emails—some closures are only shared with local customers.
- Support independent grocers if you have them—many are struggling to compete.
- Explore online delivery from national chains or services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh (where available).
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