KROGER

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Friday reported net earnings of $353 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 0.7% in the second quarter of 2017, which ended Aug. 12.

CINCINNATI — As of Tuesday, 108 of 110 Kroger stores in the Gulf Coast region have re-opened and are back to normal operating hours, the company reported.

The two stores that are closed due to flooding are the Champion Forest/Cypresswood and Cypresswood/Hwy 249 stores. They are in the process of being restored to reopen and serve these very impacted communities.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the retirement of Michigan division president Jayne Homco, and the promotion of Scott Hays to succeed her. Hays currently serves as VP operations for the company's Fry's division.

Homco will retire from the company after 42 years of distinguished service, effective Sept. 30. Hays succeeds Homco as president of the Michigan division, effective Oct. 1.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The U.S. pharmacy industry, perennially one of the highest-scoring industries measured by J.D. Power, experienced notable declines in overall customer satisfaction this year, the research firm reported Tuesday. According to the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Pharmacy Study, decreases in satisfaction with both brick-and-mortar and mail order pharmacies were driven primarily by declines in satisfaction with cost.

HOUSTON — One week following Hurricane Harvey, the Gulf region where that powerful storm made landfall is beginning to put the pieces back together. For example, Walmart, among other retailers have reported the reopening of all stores with the exception of a handful of locations impacted by flooding.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter on Wednesday launched a donation card campaign to support United Way. From Aug. 30, 2017 through Sept. 29, 2017, Harris Teeter customers will be invited to make a $1, $3 or $5 donation to United Way at checkout.  

In 2016, Harris Teeter raised more than $458,000 for local United Way chapters as part of this campaign.  

ARLINGTON, Va. — In response to Hurricane Harvey (now Tropical Storm Harvey), which has brought devastating flooding to southeastern Texas, chain and associate member companies of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores have mobilized in collaboration with public health partners and emergency preparedness authorities to meet the ongoing needs of people in Texas affected by the storm.

Retail pharmacy operators have responded to the emergency with everything from donations and supplies to generators and mobile food trucks.