Kroger announced today the permanent closure of its automated Customer Fulfillment Center in Groveland, Lake County effective January 2026. The decision forms part of a broader nationwide restructuring of the company’s e-commerce fulfillment operations.
In its official statement, Kroger cited underperformance of its automated fulfillment network relative to financial expectations as the primary reason for the closure.
As part of the strategic shift, Kroger will transition to a hybrid fulfillment model that emphasizes in-store order picking combined with expanded collaborations with third-party delivery partners, including Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.
The Groveland fulfillment currently employs a substantial number of Lake County residents. While an exact headcount for the affected location has not yet been disclosed by Kroger or local authorities, Lake County officials have confirmed they are actively coordinating a response for workforce services. Support will be provided through CareerSource Central Florida and the Lake Economic Area Development organization, offering affected employees job-placement assistance, skills training, and comprehensive career transition resources.
The closure of Kroger’s fulfillment center in Lake County could affect delivery services in Polk County, as Polk County is part of the broader Central Florida region served by this facility.
Operations at the Groveland facility are scheduled to cease in January 2026. Nothing further at this time.
Source: Kroger & Lake County Press Release
https://5starcarsinc.com/
