Kroger closes two more Seattle Fred Meyer stores

Kroger confirms the closures of two more Seattle-area Fred Meyer stores, intensifying questions about theft claims and access to groceries.

Kroger closes two more Seattle Fred Meyer stores

Kroger will close two Seattle-area Fred Meyer stores in mid-October, bringing the total closures in the region to six since July. The affected locations are 13000 Lake City Way NE in Seattle and 17667 NE 76th St in Redmond, with additional closures announced this week for Everett and Kent. The move affects about 700 workers, according to the union representing the workers. Fred Meyer cites a steady rise in theft and a challenging regulatory environment as reasons the stores are no longer financially viable, while Kroger has not released store-by-store theft data.

The closures come as Kroger positions itself for a reshaped national footprint after a failed merger with Albertsons. In June, Kroger said it would shutter around 60 underperforming stores nationwide to reinvest the savings elsewhere. The decision follows a broader trend in the grocery sector toward consolidation and cost-cutting as competition from online retailers and changing shopping habits intensify post pandemic.

These closures illustrate a larger tension between corporate profitability and community access to essentials. The company frames theft and regulation as the core problems, but critics argue the moves reflect broader cost-cutting priorities after the Albertsons episode. In Seattle, neighborhoods that are diverse and lower income risk losing close, full-service groceries, a problem that won’t be solved by relocating workers to other stores. The episode also tests trust in a large retailer to balance shareholder needs with public obligations.

Highlights

The evolving grocery map in the Seattle area will reveal how communities cope with fewer nearby options.