Kroger to Close Some Automated Sites, Expand Deals With Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats

A Kroger store in Novi, Michigan. Ed Pevos/Ann Arbor News via APThe Kroger Co., one of America’s largest grocery chains, announced on Nov. 18 that it plans to close several of its automated fulfillment centers, a move that will result in nearly $2.6 billion in third-quarter charges. The company is also expanding its partnerships with Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.The Cincinnati-based retail giant indicated the changes are necessary to improve the customer experience by offering lower prices and better store conditions, as well as advancing its operating margins. The company forecasts the new initiatives will boost e-commerce by about $400 million in 2026 and maintains that the fulfillment-center closures will have a neutral impact on sales.