Tue Jun 24 09:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
Kroger, the large U.S. grocery chain, announced plans to close approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months as part of a restructuring effort. While the company’s first-quarter profits exceeded expectations, executives cited a need to improve efficiency by closing underperforming locations. The closures will result in a $100 million charge, but Kroger anticipates a net financial benefit as savings will be reinvested into improving the customer experience. All employees affected by the closures will be offered positions at other Kroger locations. The announcement was made during an earnings call where Director Ron Sargent commented on the need to close some stores not “delivering the sustainable results we need”. Kroger is not releasing a list of impacted locations at this time. Total company sales were slightly down compared to the same period last year.
**News Article:**
**Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Nationwide Amid Restructuring**
Cincinnati, OH – Kroger, one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, announced Friday that it plans to close approximately 60 stores across the United States over the next 18 months. The move, revealed in the company’s first-quarter 2025 earnings report, is aimed at improving efficiency and reinvesting resources into customer experience.
While Kroger reported that profits exceeded expectations for the quarter, Director Ron Sargent explained on an earnings call that a review of underperforming assets led to the decision. “Unfortunately, today, not all of our stores are delivering the sustainable results we need,” Sargent stated. “To position our company for future success, this morning, we announce plans to close approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months.”
The closures will result in a $100 million impairment charge for the company. However, Kroger anticipates a positive financial impact in the long run, with savings being channeled into enhancing the customer experience.
Kroger has not yet released a list of the specific locations slated for closure. The company said all impacted employees, which constitute a segment of their 410,000 workforce, will be offered positions at other Kroger locations.
The announcement comes amid ongoing legal battles with rival Albertsons and a recent controversy involving Juneteenth holiday cakes that led to the product being pulled from shelves. Total company sales for the first quarter were $45.1 billion, slightly lower than the $45.3 billion reported for the same period last year.
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