Kroger’s decision to close six Puget Sound-area stores, including locations in Lake City and Redmond, has sparked concerns about emerging food deserts and raised questions about corporate accountability after the company’s explanations don’t align with local crime statistics.
The Ohio-based grocery giant, which owns both Fred Meyer and QFC, announced the closure of two additional stores in October, affecting 343 workers and bringing the total number of affected employees to 703 across six locations. The closures follow earlier announcements involving stores in Kent, Everett, Tacoma, and Mill Creek.
Kroger initially cited low sales performance as the primary reason for closures but later blamed “a steady rise in theft and a challenging regulatory environment” in a company statement. However, police data from affected communities tells a different story, with shoplifting reports in Everett dropping from approximately 70 incidents in 2020 to just six so far in 2025, while Kent has seen similar decreases in criminal activity.
The disconnect between corporate claims and police statistics raises questions about Kroger’s transparency regarding closure decisions that will significantly impact low-income communities. Three of the four stores slated for closure are located in areas with incomes below their respective county medians, potentially creating food deserts in neighborhoods that already face economic challenges.
Governor Bob Ferguson has expressed concern about the broader implications for food access, stating that his office is monitoring the situation closely and will work with affected communities to address their needs. The closures create uncertainty for families who rely on these stores for affordable groceries, particularly in areas where alternative shopping options may be limited or less accessible.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal criticized the closures as evidence of corporate prioritization of profits over community health, noting that food deserts are not natural phenomena but result from business decisions that ignore local impact. Her comments reflect growing concerns about how large grocery chains approach store operations in lower-income areas.
Food deserts, defined as neighborhoods with limited access to affordable and nutritious foods, disproportionately affect urban and rural low-income communities. Residents in these areas often face higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity due to reduced access to supermarkets that stock fresh produce, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.
The union representing affected workers, UFCW 3000, has characterized the closures as callous corporate management that prioritizes Wall Street investors over community needs. Union President Faye Guenther noted that the timing of multiple closure announcements over two days demonstrates a particularly insensitive approach to decisions affecting hundreds of workers and thousands of community members.
Kroger’s financial performance suggests the closures are driven by strategic repositioning rather than company-wide struggles. The corporation reported a 77% increase in net income in 2024 compared to 2019, indicating strong overall financial health despite challenges with individual store performance.
The company’s strategy appears focused on closing underperforming locations while opening new stores in potentially higher-sales areas, with plans for new locations set to begin opening in 2026. This approach maximizes corporate profitability while potentially leaving communities without adequate grocery access during the transition period.
The closures come after Kroger’s failed merger attempt with Albertsons and subsequent legal settlements, suggesting the company is restructuring operations following major strategic setbacks. The timing raises questions about whether store closures serve as cost-cutting measures to maintain financial performance rather than responses to specific local challenges.
For affected workers, Kroger has promised positions at other locations, though this may require longer commutes or relocations that create additional hardships for employees already facing housing affordability challenges in the Puget Sound region.
The situation highlights broader tensions between corporate grocery chains and the communities they serve, particularly regarding accountability for decisions that affect local food access. As consolidation continues in the grocery industry, the Kroger closures may preview similar conflicts between profit maximization and community service responsibilities.
Local officials and community advocates will likely monitor whether Kroger follows through on promised timeline for new store openings and whether those locations adequately serve the communities losing access through current closures.
