Kroger announced on Tuesday that it is closing three of its delivery fulfillment facilities – including the one located in Central Florida – as part of an effort to make its delivery operations faster and more profitable, according to a news release.
Officials from the company did not say when the facility, located at 7925 American Way in Groveland, will close.
“Following a comprehensive review, Kroger identified opportunities to optimize its fulfillment network by closing facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; Frederick, Md.; and Groveland, Fla. in January, while monitoring the remaining facilities’ performance,” the release read in part.
The city of Groveland released a statement on the center’s closure, saying in part that there are approximately 1,400 Kroger employees at the facility, “many of whom are Groveland residents.”:
We understand Kroger announced this morning it would close three automated facilities, including its Groveland location, as part of an effort to improve its e-commerce profitability. We don’t yet have a specific date, but the closure is expected sometime in January 2026.
This is an especially difficult time for employees to hear this news, and our hearts go out to those affected. There are approximately 1,400 Kroger employees at the facility, many of whom are Groveland residents. We’ve already been in contact with Lake County and will work with CareerSource Central Florida to support their employment strategy.
City of Groveland
In July 2019, Kroger announced the groundbreaking for the company’s $55 million, 375,000-square-foot customer fulfillment center. Officials said at the time the center would “generate up to 400 new jobs.”
Initially, the companies planned 20 locations, but only eight have been built so far.
We have reached out to Kroger to see how many jobs will be impacted with the closure and how this affects their food delivery system in Central Florida.
Central Florida residents have started posting messages from the grocer on social media, saying delivery service for their area will end on Jan. 1, 2026.
Kroger said it will incur a $2.6 billion charge in its fiscal third quarter related to the closure of its operations. The company said it expects the closures will improve its e-commerce operating profit by $400 million in 2026.
Kroger said it is expanding its relationship with Instacart, DoorDash and Uber Eats.
This is a developing story and may be updated.