Kroger's sister store announces shock closures of US locations
The Illinois-based grocer owned by Kroger is set to close stores in Buffalo Grove, Bloomingdale, Northbrook in August.
The closures are a part of a 'larger company-wide decision' to operate efficiently and ensure the long-term health of the business.
The announcement comes after Mariano's announced its Northfield store will close for good on Friday.
While the Northfield lease doesn't expire until the fall, Reddit users were not surprised to learn about its early closure.
'This store was small and dark. I did not like shopping there,' a shopper wrote.
'This was my store for 20 years, just too small and depressing now. I drive further to go to the jewel in Glenview,' a customer responded.
Around 40 Mariano's stores will be operating, and all impacted employees have been offered a chance to work at another location.
Kroger has been the proud owner of the 15-year-old chain since acquiring it from Roundy's Inc. in 2015.
However, the future of the chain was up in the air in 2022 when Kroger and Albertsons began exploring a merger and striking a $25 billion acquisition deal.
At least 579 stores were at risk due to the merger, including 35 Mariano's supermarkets.
Things got messy last year after the Federal Trade Commission announced it would seek a preliminary injunction to block the deal.
The merger was halted in federal court soon afterward and Albertson's ultimately backed out of the deal.
The company sued Kroger after the deal fell apart, and Kroger countersued the fellow grocer earlier this year.
Despite the damage Kroger is facing, it has not tarnished the Mariano name or customer traffic.
As of now, Mariano's has not announced its intentions to expand to other US states.
The Mariano shutdowns come after Kroger announced its plans to shutter over 60 locations.
The company has not announced a formal list, but news outlets reported that several stores under the Harris Teeter, and Pick 'n Save banners will be affected.
Despite these closures, Kroger will continue to operate over 2,800 stores nationwide and is set to open around 30 new stores by the end of 2025.
As of now, the company has not announced if any of those future locations will be a Mariano's.
'New store openings are the biggest driver of market share gains, and we're continuing to look at that,' said interim CEO Ron Sargent.
'And I think we'll be investing to accelerate store openings going forward.'
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