Albertsons closes more US stores after failed Kroger merger deal

Albertsons is shutting down more stores across the US after its planned merger with Kroger fell through. The latest closures include two locations in North Texas, leaving 138 employees without jobs by late April.

The company has already closed around 20 stores this year, with further shutdowns expected in multiple states by 2026. The store closures follow Albertsons' failed attempt to merge with Kroger, a deal that would have helped the company expand and lower prices. Since the merger collapsed, Albertsons has struggled with financial instability, leading to widespread cuts.

In Texas, two Albertsons stores will close by the end of April, affecting 138 workers. Similar shutdowns have already taken place in California, where a Safeway store in Northern California closed earlier this year, leaving 76 employees jobless. Another Albertsons location near Riverside, California, shut in March, impacting 75 staff members. Two Vons stores in Escondido and Redlands will also close in April, eliminating 135 positions.

The company has now closed 103 stores nationwide since its 2024 restructuring began. More closures are planned in California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, and Washington by the end of 2026. A Safeway in Washington, D.C., is also set to shut in May, cutting 87 jobs.

To address financial challenges, Albertsons is reducing costs and investing in technology, including automation and AI. However, investor confidence remains low, with the company's stock declining over the past year. The closures will leave hundreds of workers unemployed as Albertsons continues to scale back operations. The company's focus on cost-cutting and technology may shape its future strategy, but further store shutdowns remain likely. Employees at affected locations will need to seek new opportunities as the company adjusts to its post-merger reality.