22 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com • ECONOMY FOCUS BY HERNANDO RAMÍREZ-SANTOS S upermarket closures in the U.S. will continue throughout 2026 as chains scale back operations to protect pro- fitability. Although analysts expect the pace of closures to slow slightly, closures will still outnumber openings, keeping pressure on low-income neighborhoods and regional access to food. Retail analytics firm Coresight Research forecasts the closure of 7,900 stores in the United States in 2026, across all retail sec- tors, representing a 4.5% decline from 2025. Meanwhile, retailers plan to open about 5,500 stores. The net contraction hi- ghlights a structural shift rather than a tem- porary reduction. Several national media outlets have clo- sely followed this shift. Grocery Dive des- cribed 2025 as another difficult year for brick-and-mortar retail, citing consolida- tion and underperforming locations. Forbes reported that supermarket closures remain historically high, even as digital sales grow- th stabilizes. Supermarket Closures in the U.S. Will Be a Harsh Reality in 2026 Closures Driven by Corporate Restructuring Major supermarket operators continue to adjust their footprint. Kroger confirmed its plans, across multiple markets, to close un- derperforming stores and reinvest in remo- dels and higher-volume locations. Regional media outlets such as the Mi- lwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Houston Chronicle documented closures linked to long-term efficiency goals. The discount supermarket chain Aldi and other operators have also exited certain ur- ban locations where margins had shrunk. At the same time, some experimental for- mats have scaled back. Local media coverage highlighted the abrupt closures of certain Amazon Fresh locations, indicating a realignment rather than unchecked expansion. Executives argue that consolidation strengthens balance sheets. However, the communities left behind face fewer shop- ping options and weaker price competition. 7,900 stores are expected to close in the United States by 2026, across all retail sectors, according to Coresight Research • Continues on page 24