Kroger plans to close around 60 U.S. grocery stores over the next 18 months to improve efficiency and profitability.

Kroger is set to close about 5% of its grocery stores — amounting to approximately 60 locations — over the next year and a half.

Kroger plans to close 60 stores over the next 18 months. Affected employees will be offered positions at other locations, the grocer said.