KROGER

BOCA RATON, Fla. — An in-store magazine merchandising and marketing company has signed a new front-end checkout reset agreement with Kroger.

Distribution Services said it will continue providing installation services for Kroger's front-end checkout fixture initiatives through December 2012. DSI has provided full front-end merchandiser reset services to Kroger for the past six years.

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati's ABC affiliate station on Monday featured Kroger's Scan-Bag-Go system, a handheld device that customers use to scan bar codes as they shop. The device keeps a running tally of the purchase, and reduces the checkout process to a matter of seconds.

RICHMOND, Va. — Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland Southeast said it broke ground Friday on Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area’s newest multi-use development, Stonebridge, which will include a 123,600-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace grocery store that will be the region's largest — and the company's most expensive — to date.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced the promotion of Joe Fey as president of the Quality Food Centers division.

Fey, 57, has been VP merchandising for the company's Michigan division. He succeeds Donna Giordano, who was recently promoted to president of the Ralphs division in California.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division.

Giordano, 57, has been president of the company's Quality Food Centers division, based in Seattle, since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to SVP merchandising for Kroger.

CINCINNATI — Kroger banner Smith's has a new president.

Mark Tuffin will succeed Jim Hallsey, who is retiring from his post after 47 years of service with Smith's and Kroger, the supermarket retailer announced Tuesday. Hallsey served in his role as president of Smith's since 2001.

Tuffin, who most recently served as Kroger's VP transition, leading the company's efforts to implement significant organizational changes between all areas of the business, brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role. Tuffin joined Smith's in 1996.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The Hispanic microsite on Kroger’s new website for its baby products line comes at a time when the country’s Hispanic population growth outpaces that of the country’s total population.

(THE NEWS: New website born for Kroger baby products line. For the full story, click here.)

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday launched a new website in support of its Comforts line of baby products, the grocer announced. 

ComfortsForBaby.com will enable busy moms to access and exchange ideas online, offering a community where mothers can share their insights and experiences parenting newborns, infants and toddlers. The website is available in English and Spanish, with the Hispanic microsite specifically designed to engage Latina moms.