In 2026, Kroger plans to supersize three local stores into its jumbo Marketplace format, relocating and enlarging supermarkets in West Chester, Hamilton and Cold Spring, Ky. as part of its $129 million spending plan in suburban Cincinnati.
The supermarket giant also said it plans to remodel as many as 15 of its stores as it defends market share in its home turf as Florida rival Publix further expands into Northern Kentucky. Walmart also announced several remodels in Ohio.
Kroger’s spending plan remains elevated: last year it spent $130 million on new stores and upgrades and $84 million in 2024 after years of spending around $30 million on local stores. Kroger’s plans this year do not include any new stores. Kroger’s list of stores that are relocating are:
“Kroger’s decision to invest in these projects demonstrates our longstanding commitment to the communities we serve,” the grocer said in a statement. “These projects will help create local jobs while also strengthening convenience and access to healthy food.”
Kroger’s local store spending comes amid rivals’ investments
Kroger is spending more heavily in its hometown region as Lakeland, Florida-based Publix has begun to expand here, opening the first of five planned supermarkets last spring in Northern Kentucky. Publix’s store in Boone County opened last spring and a second in Cold Spring is slated to open this summer, company officials said.
Meanwhile, Arkansas-based mass discounter Walmart disclosed this month it will remodel 18 stores across Ohio this year, including locations in Eastgate, Hamilton, Mason, Middletown, Oxford and West Chester in Southwest Ohio. The retailer said it has spent more than $650 million on stores in Ohio in the past five years.
Kroger is boosting overall spending on stores
Last month, Kroger disclosed it would spend $3.8 billion to $4 billion on renovating or expanding its stores or other facilities in 2026, an increase of 5% to 10% from last year. Kroger officials have also indicated the company will continue to funnel more of its building budget into stores than into delivery warehouses.
Kroger is nation’s largest supermarket chain
Kroger operates nearly 2,700 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including 77 in Greater Cincinnati. The company employs 403,000 workers, including nearly 20,000 in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The retailer operates stores under the Kroger banner name as well as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Fry’s, QFC and others.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger adding local Marketplaces in 2026. See where
Reporting by Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
