KROGER

NASHVILLE — The Little Clinic, which operates retail health clinics inside select Kroger stores, recently expanded its geographic reach with new clinics in Tennessee and Ohio.

"Increasing our footprint in Middle Tennessee is important so that we can serve more patients close to where they live, work and shop," stated Ken Patric, chief medical officer for The Little Clinic. "The Little Clinic is a convenient, quality resource for the community."
 

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. has joined the list of retailers offering supplies of prescription drugs at no upfront cost to customers who have enrolled in the health insurance marketplaces, but have yet to receive an identification number.

The company announced Thursday that it would offer up to a 30-day supply of certain prescription drugs to customers who provide confirmation of their enrollment at one of the retailer's pharmacies.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A national gay-rights organization has given Walgreens top marks for its practices related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In its 2014 Corporate Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation gave the Deerfield, Ill.-based retail pharmacy chain a "perfect" score of 100. 2014 is the ninth year that Walgreens has won a perfect score.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the promotion of Mark Tuffin to SVP retail divisions. He succeeds Michael Ellis, who will become Kroger's president and chief operating officer on Jan. 1.

"Mark is an exceptional leader with an extensive knowledge of the grocery industry," Ellis said. "He has made significant contributions to our company and industry, while always championing our Customer 1st strategy. We look forward to Mark's leadership in this senior role as we continue to accelerate Kroger's growth."

CINCINNATI — In an effort to engender even greater shopper loyalty, Kroger has tied its loyalty card to the charity of a consumer's choice, according to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday reported that same-store supermarket sales growth, without fuel, was 3.5% in the third quarter, marking the 40th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth. It's a feat that Kroger achieved despite the slow economic recovery. "The resiliency of our Customer First strategy … was on full display during the quarter, even as our internal research shows that customers remain uncertain about the economy," Dave Dillon, Kroger chairman and CEO, told analysts Thursday morning. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced its succession plan for secretary and general counsel.

Paul Heldman, 62, a 31-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as the company's general counsel since 1989, secretary since 1992, and EVP since 2006, will retire in the spring of 2014.