KROGER

Consumers are hungry for the kind of health-infused nutrition information an in-store dietitian can bring to the table.

Kroger has big plans this summer around the utilization of in-store nutrition experts and its newly launched OptUp healthy shopping app.

Kroger's convenience store business operated in 18 states under the following banner names: Turkey Hill, Loaf 'N Jug, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and Quik Stop.

Kroger announced several employee initiatives, including an education assistance program, accelerated investments in store associate wages, and a more generous 401(k) benefit.

The company is looking to fill 11,000 positions in its supermarket division, including almost 2,000 management jobs.

Kroger also announced plans to host drug take-back events at store locations across the country on April 28, in partnership with Cardinal Health.

The retailer received the 2018 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for its prioritization of Energy Star best practices in its energy management strategy and for its continued commitment to energy reduction.

While not in the pharmacy business, one competitor Schlotman is keeping an eye on is Lidl, despite that grocer's slow start in the U.S.