KROGER

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday named Liz Ferneding to Ruler division president, effective July 31. Ferneding succeeds Paul Bowen, who retired in May.

"Liz's extensive grocery retail experience in procurement, marketing, advertising, management and operations will be an asset to our Ruler associates, customers and community," stated Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO. "We have a lot of respect for the Ruler format and the customer it serves. Liz's talent and insights will help us sharpen our value-centric, small-format store."

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Kroger's Harris Teeter banner announced Monday it is donating $1 million to the USO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting America’s service members and their families. The donation was made possible through contributions from Harris Teeter shoppers and valued associates during the company’s sixth annual Support Our Troops donation card campaign.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Friday filed litigation against Lidl US for infringing on the grocer's own private label program.

At issue is Lidl US' own brand "Preferred Selection," which Kroger charges is virtually indentical to that company's store label "Private Selection." "Lidl's actions herein have been willful and deliberate acts of infringement and unfair competition, which will cause irreparable harm and other damages to Kroger," Kroger stated in its suit filing.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kroger’s The Little Clinic on Tuesday announced a partnership that will bring options to certain patients who want live pain-free without prescription opioid medications. The collaboration with Results Physiotherapy will see clinics in Tennessee, Kentucky and Southern Indiana offering patients free consulations and recommendations, which may include physical therapy.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday reported net earnings of $303 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, and a decline in identical supermarket sales , without fuel, of 0.2% in the first quarter of 2017.

CINCINNATI — Kroger is opening an urban two-level store in a revitalized downtown Cincinnati, developer GBBN announced earlier this month, which marks the the return of a central downtown grocery store to the area for the first time since 1969.

“This is a sign that the renaissance in downtown and Over-the-Rhine is here to stay and accelerate,” stated Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Natural deodorant maker Schmidt’s Naturals is growing its distribution. The company on Thursday announced that its products would be hitting shelves in Kroger banner stores and that it would be expanding into all U.S. Whole Foods Market locations.