# Retail chain Albertsons Companies is aggressively scaling back its physical footprint.

*business · news · 2026-04-08 · Times of India*

## Key points

- Albertsons has closed about 20 stores in 2025 following the failed Kroger merger.
- Store closures are nationwide, with significant job losses in California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
- Albertsons and Kroger spent $1.5 billion on merger-related costs, including high legal fees.
- Albertsons is accelerating automation and AI adoption to offset rising costs and reduced workforce needs.
- States are seeking over $10 million in legal reimbursements from Kroger and Albertsons after blocking the merger.

**Companies:** Kroger, Albertsons Companies
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/after-failure-of-what-would-have-been-the-largest-supermarket-merger-in-us-history-grocery-chain-albertsons-cuts-jobs-company-says-ai-is-helping-us-/articleshow/130123252.cms)

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