CALIFORNIA STATE - California’s grocery landscape is entering a season of rapid transformation. As we move into the spring of 2026, the Golden State is seeing a massive shift in how residents shop, driven by the abrupt exit of high-tech experiments, new environmental mandates, and a post-merger realignment of the state's largest chains.
From the shuttering of cashier-less stores to the "Great Plastic Bag Ban," here are the major supermarket changes hitting California this spring.
1. The Amazon Fresh & Go "Total Retreat"
In one of the year's most significant shifts, Amazon has officially announced the closure of all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores in California as of early 2026.
- The Impact: This affects 23 locations across the state, including 19 in Southern California and three in the Bay Area.
- The Reason: Amazon executives cited a failure to find the right economic model for the "Just Walk Out" technology at scale.
- The Pivot: While the "Fresh" brand is retreating, Amazon is focusing its brick-and-mortar efforts on Whole Foods Market. Several former Fresh locations are slated to be converted into Whole Foods Market Daily Shop stores—a smaller, convenience-focused format—by the end of the year.
2. The "Great Bag Ban" Takes Full Effect
Starting this spring, the checkout experience in California looks fundamentally different. Under SB 1053, the loophole that allowed stores to sell thicker, "reusable" plastic bags is officially closed.
- What’s Gone: Those thick plastic bags previously sold for 10 cents at major grocers like Ralphs, Safeway, and Vons are now prohibited at checkout.
- The New Standard: Stores are now only permitted to provide recycled paper bags (for a minimum fee of 10 cents) or allow customers to bring their own truly reusable tote bags made of cloth or canvas.
- The Goal: The state aims to eliminate thousands of tons of plastic waste that were previously mislabeled as reusable but rarely recycled.
3. Kroger’s Post-Merger Realignment
Following the high-profile failure of the Kroger-Albertsons merger, Kroger (which operates Ralphs and Food 4 Less) is moving forward with a plan to close 60 "underperforming" stores through the first half of 2026.
- California Focus: While a full list is pending, the company has identified "parings" in high-competition markets, including Los Angeles and Orange County.
- The Strategy: Kroger is shuttering older neighborhood spots to reinvest in its larger "Marketplace" supercenters, which feature expanded sections for digital order fulfillment and prepared foods.
4. Expansion Bright Spots: Aldi and Whole Foods
While some legacy anchors retreat, the bifurcation of the market means that value-focused and premium-focused brands are expanding.
- Aldi: The German discount giant is on track to open several new California locations this spring. Their low-overhead model continues to attract budget-conscious shoppers away from traditional mid-tier grocers.
- Whole Foods: With the transition away from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods is expanding its "Daily Shop" format. Expect at least five new locations in high-density areas like Santa Monica and San Francisco by summer.
5. New Laws for the Spring Shopper
Two other major California laws are changing the way you interact with grocers this spring:
- Gift Card Redemptions (SB 22): Starting April 1, 2026, the threshold for cashing out a grocery store gift card increases. You can now request the cash balance for any gift card (including electronic ones) with a value of $15 or less.
- The Death of "Sell By" Dates (AB 660): In an effort to reduce food waste, the state is phasing out confusing "Sell By" labels. By July 1, 2026, manufacturers must use standardized language: "BEST if Used by" for quality and "USE by" for safety.
