If your food shopping wish list includes a gleaming new Kroger, you could be in luck. The stalwart supermarket giant is planting new flags in several states, giving folks even more options for a supermarket sweep as the grocery wars simmer.
While not every neighborhood is getting a Kroger 2.0, the latest openings show the company is planning growth where it anticipates solid demand. If you're hoping for a shorter drive or another way to save money on groceries, here's where Kroger is opening new stores and which states made the cut.
Kroger isn't holding back anymore
Kroger is stepping on the gas in 2026. After spending several years keeping expansion in check during its attempted merger with Albertsons, they're back in growth mode. The grocer plans to increase new-store construction by roughly 30% while investing billions in new locations and remodels.
For shoppers, that means more modern stores, revamped layouts, and a host of new places to stock up on staples.
Kroger bought a chain, but it wasn't Albertsons
In early July of this year, Kroger announced plans to buy regional grocery chain Giant Eagle for a whopping $1.65 billion. Once the transaction is finalized, Kroger will add hundreds of additional stores to its portfolio, and ideally, their customers.
While Giant Eagle does have about $400 million in debts to absorb, Kroger is eager to expand its reach without having to build every new store from the ground up.
Kroger is closing some stores
Before Kroger kicked into its planned growth spurt, it revealed that it's closing 60 locations. Why? The company says they aren't pulling their weight in the form of drawing shoppers and generating adequate profits.
While critics say that this move will create food deserts (in the areas where these stores are being shuttered), Kroger says new outlets will serve any areas set to be impacted.
A Marketplace-first mentality
Most of Kroger's confirmed expansions and openings are larger Marketplace locations, which go beyond your standard milk and bread grocers. Along with a full supermarket, you can peruse clothing, home goods, toys, decor, and other general merchandise.
It's all part of Kroger's strategy to create bigger, one-stop shopping destinations that keep folks coming back for more than just coffee and eggs (not unlike, say, Target).
Where is Kroger opening in Indiana?
Kroger is opening new Marketplace locations in Crawfordsville, Zionsville, and Noblesville as part of a large investment in the Midwestern state, which has been growing in recent years.
The Crawfordsville store is a $38 million project, as Kroger plans to pour about $200 million into new construction, expansions, and upgrades throughout 2026.
Kroger is getting bigger in Texas
Communities in North Texas are experiencing significant population growth, making the addition of new grocery stores a logical step. That included a Kroger in late 2025, with more on the horizon.
Sendera Ranch, Anna, and Little Elm, all in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, also made Kroger's expansion list. The Little Elm Store opened in late July, while progress in Sendera Ranch and Anna is well underway.
Kroger is expanding in its home state
Kroger HQ is located in Cincinnati, and two more stores are planned for greater Ohio, as well as 15 remodels with some in West Virginia. The new outlets will be in Delaware and Canal Winchester, and are slated to open their doors in autumn.
Shoppers can expect renovations in Brewers Yard, Dublin, Gahanna, Lambertville, Lancaster, New Albany, Pataskala, Reynoldsburg, Sylvania, Toledo, Waterville, Weirton, Wheelersburg, Wheeling, and Worthington.
West Virginia is getting its first Kroger Marketplace
West Virginia is already home to 36 Krogers, but the new outlet in West Charleston is the first to open under the Marketplace banner. It replaced two nearby stores in the area.
The location cut the ribbon in late June of 2026 to local fanfare. The hope is that the outlet will anchor what will become a bustling shopping area for West Charleston residents.
Kroger's plans in Publix HQ territory
The Sunshine State is known for being the heart of Publix territory, as the grocer has its headquarters in Lakeland and nearly 1,000 stores throughout the state. That's not stopping Kroger from bringing a new store to the Jacksonville area, however.
The East Arlington location will be a Harris Teeter-branded store, the last man standing from Kroger's plan to build 80 in Florida that fell apart.
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Kroger news and updates
If you're hoping a new Kroger is headed your way, their divisional websites are likely the best source of information to follow. Kroger usually announces openings via its regional divisions, so these sites often have the most up-to-date details.
Many projects are rolling out in phases throughout the year, and some won't open until 2027, so bear the timing in mind.
Bottom line
Between bigger store blueprints, fresh remodels, and new locations altogether, Kroger aficionados can expect plenty of changes in the years ahead. If a new Kroger is opening in your neck of the woods, watch for grand-opening celebrations, as you may be able to snag deals.
And wherever you buy your groceries, pairing sales with coupons and rewards points is still one of the smartest ways to keep more cash in your wallet.
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