Economic pressures, a surge in organized retail theft, and the rise of digital-first “Next Gen” stores are driving these changes. Here are the three major supermarket chains scaling back their Washington presence in March 2026.
1. Kroger (Fred Meyer & QFC): The Puget Sound Purge
Kroger, the parent company of both Fred Meyer and QFC, is currently in the middle of a massive national “right-sizing” initiative. After pausing store evaluations during its failed merger process with Albertsons, the company is now moving aggressively to shutter underperforming units.
…
- The Washington Impact: Washington is bearing a heavy load of these closures. Following the recent…