Kroger has officially discontinued its Kroger Ship service, which allowed customers to order groceries and other products from third-party merchants for home delivery. This change was noted on the company’s website and effective as of March. While Kroger has opted to stop this service, it reassured customers that they can continue utilizing its delivery and pickup channels for grocery orders.
The precise reasons behind the closure of Kroger Ship haven’t been disclosed. However, a spokesperson from the retailer did not respond to inquiries by the publication time regarding the decision. A note on Kroger’s website stated that the marketplace for third-party items ceased in March 2025.
Kroger Ship was first introduced in 2018, initially focused on groceries, before expanding in 2020 to include an array of products from external vendors, which encompassed housewares, toys, and seasonal items. The service even broadened its offerings in 2022 to include products from Bed Bath & Beyond and its Buybuy Baby division.
E-commerce expert Celia Van Wickel highlighted the timing of Kroger’s decision, noting it coincided with the formation of a new centralized unit focusing on digital operations. The change correlates with a notable shift in consumer purchasing habits, as the popularity of ship-to-home grocery services has waned significantly. Before the pandemic, these services accounted for over 40% of online grocery sales, but they have now dropped to about 19% according to data from Brick Meets Click and Mercatus.
While this transition marks a significant shift for Kroger, it also reflects broader trends in the grocery industry. As consumers are increasingly opting for more direct shopping models like in-store pickups, Kroger’s strategic realignment towards maintaining robust delivery and pickup channels demonstrates a commitment to evolving with customer preferences in the digital age.