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The basics:

• 6 New Jersey Grocery Outlet stores to close in 2026
• Part of a nationwide plan impacting 36 locations
• Closures due to financial losses, lower consumer spending, competition
• Company plans to remodel 150 stores, open 30–33 new locations

Six Grocery Outlet stores in South Jersey are among the three dozen locations closing nationwide as part of a turnaround effort by the discount supermarket chain.

To carry out its store optimization plan, the California-based grocer has hired global asset experts Gordon Brothers to market outposts in Delran, Hazlet, Gibbstown, Mays Landing, Rio Grande and Sicklerville.

The Boston-based firm is also handling retail subleases for Grocery Outlet closures planned in California, Idaho, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Overall, about 6% of the chain’s fleet will be impacted as it looks to stem losses spurred by a pullback in consumer spending. The company also cited last fall’s delay in federal food assistance benefits caused by the extended government shutdown, as well as growing competition.

Zeroing in on ‘what matters most’

Grocery Outlet announced the closure plans alongside the March 4 release of its financial results for the fourth quarter.

For the period ending Jan. 3, Grocery Outlet saw a nearly $235 million operating loss and a more than $218 million net loss.

Grocery Outlet CEO and President Jason Potter said, “We have begun to sharpen our focus on what matters most: delivering clearer value and a better in-store experience. We’re intensely focused on restoring the opportunistic mix to rebuild value perception with the customer and advancing our store refresh program, and we’re already seeing early, measurable improvements.”

Along with closing underperforming locations, Grocery Outlet is working to reshape its new store growth strategy and reallocate resources to strengthen the business, he said.

“We are confident that we have identified the core challenges, and now have the right plans in place and the right team to execute them,” Potter added.

Looking ahead, the company still projects opening between 30 and 33 new locations this year. It also expects to continue moving forward with plans to remodel 150 stores.

A tough sell

Founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet offers deals on brand-name groceries, including produce, deli, dairy and meat, as well as a range of natural and organic products, health and beauty care and seasonal items.

Across the U.S., the company has more than 570 stores across 16 states.

Since making its New Jersey debut four years ago in Delran, Grocery Outlet has gone on to open locations in Hamilton, Medford, Hazlet, Delran, Deptford, Sicklerville, Mays Landing, Gibbstown and Rio Grande.

According to Grocery Outlet, it expects to complete the wave of newly announced closures during fiscal year 2026.

The company did not provide specific dates; however, some of the independently owned and operated stores have begun making their own announcements of when they expect to go dark.

In separate social media posts, Mays Landing and Gibbstown both shared March 21 as their final days.

Mays Landing’s operators wrote, “As we navigate this transition, we ask for your understanding and compassion, as this development has come as a significant and unexpected shock to our team and the surrounding community. We are actively working to support our employees and partners in the best way possible during this time.”

In a since-deleted Facebook post, Gibbstown’s leadership explained, “When we opened our doors, our goal was to bring the community great deals and a clean, safe place to shop. We truly tried our best every day to make that happen and to provide something positive for the town. Unfortunately, due to a lack of consistent support from the community, we were unable to keep the store operating. Small businesses rely heavily on their communities, and without that support it becomes very difficult to survive.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:11 p.m. March 6, 2026, to note that the Hazlet Grocery Outlet store will also close. That location was previously omitted from the list.