Kroger to Close Nashville Fulfillment Center, Ending Delivery Service and Resulting in Job Losses

Kroger to Close Nashville Fulfillment Center, Ending Delivery Service and Resulting in Job Losses Kroger has announced the closure of its Nashville Fulfillment Center, scheduled for February 2026. The company has also announced plans to integrate with the Uber Marketplace, expected to take place in early 2026, further expanding its delivery options for customers. The Blue Truck Delivery service will end on Jan…

Kroger has announced the closure of its Nashville Fulfillment Center, scheduled for February 2026. This decision will impact over 100 jobs in the Nashville area as part of a broader strategy to cease its Blue Truck Delivery service nationwide, signaling a shift towards in-store fulfillment and reliance on third-party delivery services.

Closure Details and Employee Impact

The Nashville Fulfillment Center is one of several facilities set to close, with others located in Wisconsin, Florida, Oklahoma, and Maryland. Kroger informed its employees about the impending closure on December 2, 2025, and has also filed a WARN notice with state officials to comply with legal requirements regarding mass layoffs. In total, the closures are expected to affect approximately 1,400 employees across the involved locations.

The Blue Truck Delivery service will officially stop operations on January 7, 2026, with the fulfillment center in Nashville ceasing its delivery service on February 1, 2026. The company’s decision to end these services is part of a strategic shift towards using in-store resources and third-party partnerships for fulfilling delivery orders.

Transition to Third-Party Delivery Services

As part of its new strategy, Kroger will primarily rely on Instacart as its delivery agent. Additionally, Kroger’s products will continue to be available through the DoorDash Marketplace. The company has also announced plans to integrate with the Uber Marketplace, expected to take place in early 2026, further expanding its delivery options for customers.

This move reflects Kroger’s focus on providing faster delivery services and enhancing customer options by leveraging established third-party delivery platforms instead of maintaining its own dedicated delivery fleet.

Broader Strategic Shifts

The decision to close the Nashville Fulfillment Center and other facilities is part of Kroger’s broader strategic adjustments to optimize delivery operations. The company is concentrating on streamlining its services to meet evolving consumer demands and improve operational efficiencies. This includes a significant shift away from maintaining standalone fulfillment centers in favor of utilizing existing store locations and partnerships to handle deliveries.

By integrating with established third-party delivery services, Kroger aims to enhance its logistical capabilities and provide customers with more reliable and flexible delivery options. This approach is expected to reduce operational costs associated with running dedicated fulfillment centers and delivery fleets.

Looking Ahead

As Kroger continues to adapt its business model, the company is positioned to leverage its partnerships with major delivery service providers to meet increasing consumer expectations for quick and convenient delivery options. The integration with platforms like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber is intended to broaden Kroger's reach and service capabilities, aligning with its goals of offering improved delivery services.

The closure of the Nashville Fulfillment Center and associated job losses highlight the challenges and changes within the grocery delivery industry as companies strive to balance operational costs with consumer demands for efficiency and convenience. As Kroger moves forward with its strategic plans, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect its competitive position in the market and the impact on affected employees and local communities.