MICHIGAN — The Michigan grocery landscape is facing a significant shake-up this spring as two of the industry’s biggest players, Amazon and Kroger, move forward with aggressive store closure plans. While one brand is exiting the physical "branded" grocery space entirely, the other is trimming its vast portfolio to focus on high-performing "Marketplace" hubs and digital growth.
Amazon Pulls the Plug on Fresh and Go Concepts
In Michigan, the impact is felt most heavily in Metro Detroit, where several "zombie" stores—locations that were built out but never officially opened—will now be officially abandoned or converted for other uses.
Michigan Locations Affected:
- Rochester Hills: The long-anticipated site at 2951 S. Rochester Road will remain vacant as Amazon scraps plans to open.
- Roseville: The former Toys R Us site at 32070 Gratiot Ave, which had undergone extensive remodeling for the Amazon Fresh brand, is now back on the market.
- Troy & Shelby Township: Plans for sites on E. Big Beaver Rd. and Hall Rd. have been permanently cancelled.
- Other Impacted Sites: Proposed locations in Dearborn, Livonia, Plymouth Township, and Grand Blanc have also been officially pulled from the company's future roadmap.
Amazon’s parent company stated that resources will be reallocated to expand other grocery interests and enhance same-day delivery services for Prime members.
Kroger’s 60-Store National Retrenchment
While Amazon is retreating, Kroger is in the midst of a "portfolio optimization" strategy. The Cincinnati-based giant is executing a plan to close 60 underperforming stores nationwide over an 18-month window, concluding in late 2026.
With over 120 locations across Michigan, the state represents a significant portion of Kroger’s footprint. While specific Michigan store addresses for the Spring 2026 wave have not yet been finalized, industry analysts suggest the closures will target older, smaller "legacy" stores that no longer meet performance benchmarks.
What Michigan Shoppers Need to Know:
- Strategic Shift: The company is prioritizing large Kroger Marketplace locations that offer expanded departments, such as home goods and apparel, alongside traditional groceries.
- Impact on Legacy Stores: Older neighborhood locations near newer, larger hubs are the most likely candidates for closure this spring.
- Employment Stability: Kroger has stated that all associates at the closing Michigan branches will be offered the opportunity to transfer to nearby stores to avoid layoffs.
The "New Normal" for Michigan Groceries
These closures reflect a broader trend across the Great Lakes State: a shift from high-density physical storefronts to digital efficiency and consolidated supercenters. Retailers are now prioritizing the "last mile" of delivery and large-scale shopping experiences over maintaining a presence in every neighborhood.
As these closures take effect through the spring months, shoppers are encouraged to use their loyalty apps to identify their new "home" store and ensure pharmacy records are ready for transition.
2 Major Supermarket Chains to Close Michigan Locations This Spring 2026
2 Major Supermarket Chains to Close Michigan Locations
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MICHIGAN — The Michigan grocery landscape is facing a significant shake-up this spring as two of the industry’s biggest players, Amazon and Kroger, move forward with aggressive store closure plans. While one brand is exiting the physical "branded" grocery space entirely, the other is trimming its vast portfolio to focus on high-performing "Marketplace" hubs and digital growth.
In a strategic pivot announced in early 2026, Amazon confirmed it is shuttering its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations as part of a nationwide shift. This move marks a retreat from the "Just Walk Out" technology and branded brick-and-mortar grocery stores that the company had been testing for several years.