The grocery business in Illinois is notoriously tough, dominated by national giants like Walmart and regional powerhouses like Jewel-Osco. This intense competition, combined with rising operational costs and shifting consumer loyalties, has put immense pressure on smaller, local, and even some mid-sized grocery chains. Throughout 2024 and 2025, several familiar Illinois grocery brands have shown serious signs of trouble, from announcing mass store closures to quietly disappearing from the landscape altogether. For many communities, the potential loss of these stores raises concerns about food access and local jobs.
1. Mariano’s
Kroger, the parent company of Mariano’s, announced a significant round of store closures in mid-2025 that directly impacted the Chicago suburbs. The company decided to close several underperforming Mariano’s locations in towns like Buffalo Grove and Bloomingdale, citing a need to run more efficiently. While the brand remains a major player, these closures signal that even this once-unstoppable premium chain is not immune to the pressures of the modern grocery market.
2. Kroger
Beyond just the Mariano’s banner, Kroger has also been closing stores operating under its own name in Illinois. As part of a nationwide streamlining effort, the company identified dozens of locations for closure, including at least one store in Peoria. This strategic contraction shows that the grocery giant is pulling back from less profitable areas, a move that could create new food deserts in some communities.
3. Piggly Wiggly
While Piggly Wiggly operates as a franchise, its presence in Illinois has been shrinking for years. Several independently owned locations have closed down recently, unable to compete with the pricing and supply chains of larger corporate stores. The brand, known for its long history and local feel, is struggling to maintain a foothold in a market that favors scale and volume.
4. Joe V’s Smart Shop
Joe V’s Smart Shop, a discount grocery concept owned by Texas-based H-E-B, announced plans to enter the Chicagoland market. While this is a sign of new investment, it spells serious trouble for existing local discount grocers. The arrival of a well-funded, aggressive competitor like Joe V’s will put enormous pressure on smaller, independent ethnic markets and discount stores that currently serve many Chicago neighborhoods.
5. Berkot’s Super Foods
Berkot’s is a small, family-owned chain with locations primarily in the south and western suburbs of Chicago. While the company continues to operate, it faces immense pressure from the expansion of larger chains and discount formats into its territory. Smaller local chains like Berkot’s must fight for every customer and often struggle to match the prices and promotions of their larger rivals.
6. Food 4 Less
This warehouse-style discount chain, also owned by Kroger, has been part of the company’s “streamlining” conversation. While no mass closures have been announced in Illinois specifically under the Food 4 Less banner, the brand’s business model is under pressure. The rise of Aldi and the arrival of other discount players threaten its market share.
7. Various Independent Grocers
The biggest story of trouble in the Illinois grocery scene involves the numerous independent and single-store grocers. They serve small towns and specific urban neighborhoods. As highlighted in recent reports, many of these stores struggle with pricing, distribution, and access to capital. They are often the first to close down, leaving residents in food deserts with few options for fresh, healthy food.
A Shifting Landscape
The Illinois grocery market is in a period of intense and often painful transition. The brands that are struggling are not just businesses; they are community anchors and local employers. As they close stores or fight for survival, the landscape of how and where Illinois residents buy their food is fundamentally changing. It’s not always for the better.
Do you shop at any of these Illinois grocery chains? Are you concerned about a local store closing in your area? Share your thoughts below
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