Fred Meyer Closes One of Its Last Stores in Tacoma
A major grocery chain is reducing its store footprint by closing one of two remaining Fred Meyer locations in Tacoma, Washington. The James Center store at 6901 S. 19th St., which will remain open until January 30, 2027, employs around 100 unionized workers and serves as a key retail hub for groceries, pharmacy services, and other essentials. The closure is part of Kroger Co.'s broader strategy to streamline operations by closing underperforming stores. The company plans to shutter 60 locations across multiple banners by the end of 2026 in an effort to improve efficiency and redirect capital toward more profitable areas. This move has drawn criticism from labor unions, who argue it could create a food desert for low-income residents reliant on public transportation. Kroger's recent financial results show modest sales growth but also highlight challenges such as declining gross margins due to higher fuel sales diluting overall profitability.
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Topics: Fred Meyer grocery chain Kroger store closures union response