The Kroger Co. is pulling back from developing a network of automated e-commerce fulfillment centers and will instead focus on expanding its brick-and-mortar grocery store network.  
The grocery chain announced it would close three of its eight robotics-powered fulfillment centers. The centers marked for closure are in Groveland, Florida, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and Frederick, Maryland. 
The company has also scrapped plans for another fulfillment center in Charlotte but will still build a previously planned fulfillment center in Phoenix.