4 Major Supermarket Chains to Close New Jersey Locations This Spring 2026

Garden State Grocery Shakeup: Major Supermarket Changes This Spring 2026

From the total disappearance of Amazon-branded stores to the continued exit of a historic pharmacy giant, here is the breakdown of the major grocery and retail closures hitting New Jersey this spring.

1. The Amazon "Total Retreat" (Fresh & Go)

In one of the most abrupt shifts in recent years, Amazon officially announced the closure of all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores in early 2026. This marks the end of the "Just Walk Out" experiment as a standalone grocery brand in New Jersey.

• The Impact: The move shutters four Amazon Fresh locations in Eatontown, Lodi, Paramus, and Woodland Park. Most of these sites were vacated by early February.
• The Reason: Amazon cited a failure to find the right economic model for large-scale expansion.
• The Pivot: While the "Fresh" brand is gone, the company is doubling down on Whole Foods Market. Several of these former locations are being evaluated for conversion into Whole Foods Market Daily Shop stores—a smaller, convenience-focused format.

2. The Final Exit: Rite Aid

The long, slow wind-down of Rite Aid has reached its final chapter in New Jersey. Following its bankruptcy and total brand liquidation, the chain has officially completed its exit from the state.

• The Status: While many locations closed throughout 2025, the final handful of "holdout" stores in South Jersey and the Jersey Shore finished their liquidations this spring.
• The Aftermath: Empty storefronts are increasingly being converted into local urgent care centers or backfilled by independent pharmacy groups.

3. Stop & Shop: Continued Footprint Rationalization

Following its major round of 10 New Jersey closures late last year (including sites in Edison, Howell, and Phillipsburg), Stop & Shop is focusing its 2026 efforts on remodeling its remaining sites.

• Recent Shifts: The chain is investing in "Fresh-Focused" layouts to compete with the rapid growth of Aldi and Lidl.
• Impact: For communities like Jackson and Franklin, where stores recently shuttered, residents have had to pivot to nearby ShopRites or the expanding network of discount grocers.

4. Big Lots: The Discount Department

The bargain-hunting landscape in New Jersey is shrinking as Big Lots completes its final nationwide liquidation.

• Statewide Exit: All remaining New Jersey locations have officially entered their final "Going Out of Business" phase this spring. For many budget-conscious families, this marks the end of a primary source for discounted pantry staples and home goods.

  
  
  

Why the Shakeup?

Industry analysts point to three primary factors for the Spring 2026 New Jersey "reset":

• The "Aldi" Effect: The rapid expansion of deep-discount grocers is forcing traditional mid-tier supermarkets to either modernize or exit neighborhoods where margins are thinning.
• Digital Dominance: With a high population density, New Jersey is a "hot zone" for grocery delivery. Chains are closing older, smaller storefronts that cannot accommodate the logistics of high-volume digital fulfillment.
• Real Estate Optimization: Many long-term leases signed during the 2016 retail boom are expiring this spring, and companies are choosing to walk away rather than renew at today's higher market rates.