This Grocery Chain is Mysteriously Disappearing from Wisconsin

Last year, several Pick 'n Save locations across Wisconsin closed without an explanation from Kroger, the grocer's parent company. This has led to several areas of large cities without access to grocery stores, and an investigation by local officials, including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

This week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a lengthy piece of investigative journalism trying to get to the bottom of why Pick 'n Save closed five locations without explanation back in June 2025.

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What Theft Data Says About Pick 'n Save Closures in Wisconsin:

Some Pick 'n Save locations were closed in 2025, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

• 1735 W. Silver Spring Drive, Glendale
• 2931 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee
• 2320 W. Ryan Road, Oak Creek

The whispered reason for so many Pick 'n Save closures has been theft, or "shrinkage" as its known in retail. The analysis of six years of police reports from 2019 - 2024 show that theft-related incidents overall at the closed stores declined roughly 13% over that period. That being said, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirmed that theft prevention procedures were put in place at five stores. In 2024, Kroger had "additional safety enhancements" put in place for receipt verification procedures, including the hiring of Chicago-based Arms Security Corporation, and the abolishment of self-checkout lanes.

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One of the five stores still had a rise in theft-related calls to police, and was closed. The four remaining stores had declines in theft-related calls, but two were closed, and two remain open.

With one exception, theft reports declined following increased security, while more theft was reported from suburban Pick 'n Save locations as opposed to locations in Milwaukee.

Kroger is Facing Heavy Criticism for the Closures:

When a swath of stores suddenly close, it always draws attention. When they close without a publicly stated reason, speculation, in conjunction with frustration, begins to brew. Kroger's move to close several Pick 'n Save locations drew criticism from city officials and residents. Access to fresh food was lost in areas like Metcalfe Park when the North 35th Street store was shuttered.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obtained emails that show Mayor Johnson questioning whether or not shrinkage was the reason for the stores to close, despite not personally having the data to back up his assumption.

Meanwhile, Mike Semmann, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said that rising levels of theft are impacting numerous industries.

The spike started occurring during/post-pandemic, which has led to stores to invest in loss prevention technology and workforce to a level not previously seen. At this time, Kroger has still not given a reason why the Pick 'n Save closures occurred. See the full results of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's own investigation into the matter on their website.