Kroger Closes Santa Fe Store Amid Corporate Job Cuts

The supermarket chain closed its Cerrillos Road location in February 2026 as it restructures operations.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Business Strategy

Isometric editorial illustration of a minimalist stucco-textured retail building facade, representing corporate operational changes in the supermarket sector. — Kroger closed its Santa Fe location on Cerrillos Road in February 2026 as part of a company-wide restructuring initiative. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust that large grocery chains prioritize local community needs when making operational decisions?

Kroger officially closed its Smith's Food and Drug store at 2308 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe in February 2026. The move comes as the company initiates a plan to reduce its corporate workforce by 3,000 positions over a three-year period.

Why it matters

The company cited a drive to increase efficiency and prioritize investments in the in-store experience under CEO Greg Foran. These operational shifts arrive as the retailer navigates significant legal challenges and structural changes.

Kroger operates more than 2,700 stores nationwide and currently employs approximately 409,000 people. The company also faces an $8 billion claim from Albertsons following their failed merger.

The players

Kroger

Kroger is the largest standalone supermarket chain in the United States.

Greg Foran

Greg Foran is the CEO of Kroger and is leading the company's current push to restore in-store experiences.

Albertsons

Albertsons is a major grocery competitor currently involved in a legal dispute with Kroger.

The details

The closure of the Santa Fe store included providing transition opportunities for the 80 employees previously stationed there. Kroger is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence to streamline store management and corporate operations.

February 2026 marked the permanent closure of the Smith's Food and Drug store in Santa Fe.
October 2026 was the date Kroger announced its three-year corporate job reduction plan.

Market Landscape

The company's current restructuring reflects the high-stakes environment following the Kroger-Albertsons merger attempt. This shift signals a broader move toward leaner operations and digital integration as Kroger faces intense competition and legal pressure.

Local shoppers in Santa Fe must now utilize alternative grocery options following the permanent shuttering of the Cerrillos Road location. The broader corporate job cuts and AI integration may lead to changes in in-store services and staffing levels at remaining locations.

The takeaway

Retailers like Kroger are increasingly looking toward artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between efficiency goals and customer service standards. Consumers can anticipate continued store portfolio adjustments as major chains prioritize operational automation.