KROGER

TORONTO — Customer service is the key driver of brand advocacy in retail pharmacy, according to a new study.

CINCINNATI — Long-time Fred Meyer executive Lynn Gust was named president of the 133-store Kroger division.

Gust, 59, joined Koriger in 1970 as a parcel clerk and most recently served as the company’s SVP of operations. Gust was appointed to that position in 2011 and prior to that he served as EVP of corporate merchandising and advertising. During his career Gust also served as VP of the Fred Meyer food group and SVP of store operations.

CINCINNATI — Diabetes patients at Kroger pharmacies who have private insurance can pay $4 for blood-glucose test strips, the supermarket operator said.

Kroger said insured patients could pay a $4 co-pay for Kroger Premium test strips. People with diabetes can spend as much as $1,000 per year out of pocket on test strips alone, Kroger said.

NEW YORK — Kroger and Walmart may be looking to buy up assets from bankrupt food company Hostess Brands, according to published reports.

CINCINNATI — Kroger remained one of the few outperforming supermarket operators Thursday morning as the grocer exceeded analyst consensus adjusted earnings per diluted share by 3 cents with 46 cents per share. Actual reported net earnings were even higher — 60 cents per share — as Kroger benefitted from a settlement with Visa and MasterCard and from a reduction in the company's obligation to fund the UFCW consolidated pension fund created in January. 

Kroger shares were up 3.4% to $25.90 in late morning trading. 

ATLANTA – The American Cancer Society on Friday honored 19 companies, including three retail pharmacy operators and three consumer packaged goods companies, with its Excellence in Philanthropy award — recognizing the companies for their generous support of the society’s efforts to eliminate cancer as a public health burden.

DENVER — Ibotta on Friday officially launched its free mobile application for iPhone users that gives consumers a new way to earn as much as $40 in cash each time they shop. With Ibotta, consumers earn cash rewards for answering a trivia question, watching videos and/or providing feedback on their favorite products, then buying the products in major national retailers, such as Walmart, Target and Walgreens.  

Kroger announced Thursday it will acquire the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings, a leading specialty pharmacy, and merge the two companies. By now, it should be clear that specialty is becoming an increasingly important part of the retail pharmacy mix, having grown more than sixfold in revenues between 2000 and 2011, with everyone from Rite Aid to Costco to Hy-Vee biting off a piece for themselves.