Photo via Fast Company
Albertsons Companies is accelerating store closures across its portfolio following the collapse of its proposed $25 billion merger with Kroger last December. According to Fast Company's analysis, at least 12 locations have closed or are marked for closure in 2026, with more than half in California and Texas. Three of those closures directly impact the Dallas-Fort Worth region: locations in Fort Worth and Euless under the Albertsons banner, plus a Randalls store in Houston.
The grocery giant had largely paused optimization of its store footprint during the two-year merger negotiation period. Now that those plans have been scuttled by federal courts, Albertsons is resuming the difficult work of evaluating which stores fit its long-term strategy. Company leadership says it will prioritize openings in high-demand areas while closing underperforming locations, with a stated goal of net positive store growth by the end of fiscal 2027.
For DFW business observers, these closures reflect deeper industry turbulence. Albertsons reported a $481 million net loss in its most recent quarter, driven partly by a $774 million opioid-related settlement. The company's identical-store sales grew just 2% last year, though digital sales showed promise with 21% growth. Stock performance has been particularly dismal, with shares tumbling 27% over 12 months and significantly underperforming the broader market.
The closures underscore mounting pressure on traditional supermarket operators as they compete with big-box retailers like Walmart and Costco, plus Amazon's expanding grocery footprint. Albertsons' failed merger attempt—which would have created a 5,000-store behemoth—highlighted just how critical scale has become in modern grocery retail. For Dallas-area employees affected by the closures, the company says it will attempt to place workers in nearby stores where possible.
