If you’ve been using Kroger Ship Marketplace to get your groceries and third-party products delivered straight to your doorstep, you need to know: Kroger has officially shut down this service as of March 2025. This move caught a lot of folks by surprise, especially those who relied on the platform for convenient home delivery of a wide range of products beyond groceries. But what does this really mean for you? And what are your alternatives? Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to digest — whether you’re a grocery pro or just someone looking to get dinner on the table faster.
Kroger Ends Ship Marketplace Home Delivery
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service End Date | Kroger Ship Marketplace home delivery ended in March 2025 |
| Original Launch | 2018 as a grocery delivery service |
| Expansion to Third-Party Items | 2020, partnered with companies like Bed Bath & Beyond for home goods, toys, seasonal items |
| Delivery Partners | FedEx, UPS, and other common carriers |
| Reason for Shutdown | Shift in consumer preferences, operational challenges, and low margins in grocery delivery |
| Current Kroger Services | Grocery delivery & pickup through Kroger stores and third-party partners like Instacart |
Kroger ending the Ship Marketplace home delivery service marks a shift in how we get our groceries and goods these days. The demand for speedy delivery and pickup options is pushing retailers to rethink their models. While it might be a bummer to lose that convenient one-stop online shop for all your grocery and third-party needs, there are plenty of solid alternatives out there.
For those who want their groceries fast and fresh, Kroger’s existing delivery and pickup services remain a reliable choice. And for the non-grocery goods, big players like Amazon have you covered with speedy shipping.
Navigating these changes might feel like a hassle, but with a little planning and knowing where to shop, you’ll keep your pantry stocked and your household running smooth as ever.
What Was Kroger Ship Marketplace?
Kroger Ship started out in 2018 as Kroger’s way to get groceries directly to your home. Pretty standard stuff, right? But in 2020, they decided to up their game by adding third-party marketplace items—think home goods, toys, and seasonal merchandise. This was made possible through partnerships with big names like Bed Bath & Beyond and Buybuy Baby.
The goal was simple: make Kroger a one-stop shop where you could grab not just food but a whole bunch of other essentials without stepping outside. Deliveries were handled by major carriers like FedEx and UPS, which meant your order could show up almost anywhere in the U.S.
For a while, this sounded like a sweet deal. But the reality of running a third-party marketplace with a grocery focus turned out to be more complex than expected.
Why Did Kroger Shut Down Ship Marketplace?
Officially, Kroger hasn’t released a detailed statement about why the service ended. But industry insiders and retail experts point to a few key reasons:
1. Changing Consumer Behavior
These days, folks want their groceries fast. The pandemic really pushed customers toward same-day pickup or one to two-hour delivery options. The traditional shipping model, which could take days for third-party products, just wasn’t cutting it.
2. Operational Challenges
Managing a third-party marketplace is no small feat. It means juggling relationships with multiple sellers, quality control, returns, and customer service—all on top of the usual grocery delivery headaches like perishables and cold-chain logistics.
3. Low Profit Margins
Grocery delivery itself isn’t a huge money-maker. Add in the complexities and thin margins from third-party sales, and it’s easy to see why Kroger may have decided to cut losses.
So, in essence, Kroger Ship Marketplace was a bold experiment, but the numbers and changing market realities made it unsustainable.
What This Means for Kroger Customers
If you loved ordering non-grocery items from Kroger Ship, that option is now gone. But don’t sweat it—Kroger still offers grocery delivery and curbside pickup through its regular channels and via popular services like Instacart.
Here’s what you can do next:
- Use Kroger’s grocery delivery or pickup services. You can order fresh produce, pantry staples, and more for same-day delivery or quick pickup.
- Check out Instacart or other third-party grocery delivery apps. These platforms partner with Kroger stores in your area to get you what you need without the long wait.
- Shop third-party products directly from other marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, or Target for faster shipping options.
This transition might be a bit inconvenient at first, but plenty of alternatives exist to keep your pantry and home stocked without hassle.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Transition from Kroger Ship Marketplace
If you’ve been a regular Kroger Ship user, here’s how to smoothly adjust to the changes:
Step 1: Identify Your Frequent Purchases
Make a list of items you typically ordered via Kroger Ship, especially non-grocery third-party products like toys or household items.
Step 2: Explore Other Marketplaces
Visit websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Target for those non-grocery items. They often offer fast shipping options, including same-day delivery in many locations.
Step 3: Use Kroger for Groceries Only
Stick with Kroger’s grocery delivery and pickup services for your food needs. Visit Kroger.com or download their app to place your orders.
Step 4: Try Third-Party Delivery Apps
Use apps like Instacart, Shipt, or Postmates to get groceries delivered from your local Kroger or other nearby stores. These apps offer flexible delivery windows and sometimes even one-hour deliveries.
Step 5: Sign Up for Notifications and Deals
Keep an eye on Kroger’s promotions and notifications. They frequently offer discounts, digital coupons, and loyalty rewards that can save you money during your transition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When exactly did Kroger Ship Marketplace close?
A: Kroger Ship Marketplace officially ended its third-party home delivery service in March 2025.
Q2: Can I still get groceries delivered from Kroger?
A: Yes! Kroger continues to provide grocery delivery and curbside pickup through its own platforms and via third-party partners like Instacart.
Q3: Why did Kroger stop the Ship Marketplace service?
A: While no official detailed explanation was given, industry experts point to changing customer preferences for faster delivery, operational challenges with third-party marketplaces, and low profit margins.
Q4: What alternatives do I have for ordering non-grocery items?
A: You can order home goods, toys, and other products from marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, which generally offer faster shipping options.
Q5: Will Kroger bring back Ship Marketplace in the future?
A: There are no current plans announced to bring back the Ship Marketplace service, but Kroger continues to innovate in grocery delivery.
