KROGER

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday announced today it was named the 2013 Retailer of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Wine Enthusiast selected Kroger Retailer of the Year because of the company's "dynamic growth, dedication to wine, ability to foresee trends and customer service," the editors stated. According to a profile of the grocer, Kroger surpassed $1 billion in wine sales in 2012 and is expected to post double-digit growth in 2013. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Monday announced a cumulative contribution to the USO of $3.2 million for 2013.

The funds were raised through the company's Honoring Our Heroes sales event in May and customer contributions collected at check stands through the summer and fall.

DALLAS — Kroger, already the market share leader among traditional grocers in Dallas-Fort Worth, is expanding its presence in one of the largest metropolitan regions in the United States, the company announced Friday. Over the next 24 months, Kroger will invest $150 million in North Texas to build five new Marketplace stores and to expand three locations, along with opening multiple fuel centers and remodeling existing properties. 

CINCINNATI — UC Health, the affiliated health system of the University of Cincinnati, and The Little Clinic have announced a clinical collaboration to provide consumers with improved access to healthcare services with UC Health supporting The Little Clinic locations inside 18 Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, area Kroger stores.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Friday posted sales for third quarter 2013 of $7 billion, representing a 5.6% increase. Comparable-store sales for third quarter 2013 increased 4.1%. 

Publix's sales for the first nine months of 2013 were $21.6 billion, a 5.2% increase from last year's $20.5 billion. Comparable-store sales for the first nine months of 2013 increased 3.4%. 

NEW YORK — As the implementation of healthcare reform looms, Kroger is sharpening its focus on health care by not only stocking its shelves with healthier food options but also is gearing up to add 50 Little Clinic locations next year, according to published reports.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Grocer Harris Teeter posted an increase in fiscal 2013 sales and same-store sales.

For fiscal 2013, sales rose 3.8% to $4.71 billion from $4.54 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales for the year increased 2.23%.

Fourth quarter sales rose 4.5% to $1.19 billion from $1.14 billion in the year-ago period. The increase in sales was fueled by an increase in same-store sales and sales from new stores, partially offset by store closings. Same-store sales increased 1.49% for the quarter.

Kroger’s Little Clinic is on a growth path. The company is looking to open as many as 50 new retail-based health clinics next year, according to published reports, as part of a clear health care play the retailer is making in the midst of healthcare reform.

We’ve said it before and we’re saying it again: 2014 will be the year of the retail clinic.