KROGER

Overdrive.


Increasingly, chains that traditionally have not been major forces in food retailing are making bigger commitments than ever to fresh — including meat, produce and dairy — in an effort not only to help solve the nation’s growing health crisis and expand Americans’ access to nutritious food options, but also to create new reasons for customers to shop their stores.


CINCINNATI — Kroger at its family of stores this past weekend extended its Honoring Our Heroes campaign, an initiative designed to benefit the United Service Organizations.

Kroger's yearlong initiative is expected to raise $1 million to support the USO's mission to support our troops, their families and veterans. This past weekend, Kroger invited customers to donate spare change to the USO via in-store specially marked coin boxes. The funds raised support the programs and services the USO provides to service members and their families, Kroger said.

BOSTON — There’s a tremendous upside for retailers and suppliers, but that upside will come from doing things differently than in years past, as well as grappling with fragmentation. Those were a few of the key messages Bryan Gildenberg, chief knowledge officer of Kantar Retail, had for attendees of Monday morning’s business session at NACDS Marketplace in Boston.

CINCINNATI — Kroger CEO David Dillon said the company will continue to focus on customer loyalty, after reporting last week that it saw identical-store sales increase for 30 consecutive quarters.

During its shareholders meeting on Thursday, Dillon said the company will build its future growth around its Customer 1st strategy, which emphasizes "[our] people, products, prices and the shopping experience."

CINCINNATI — Kroger has released its fifth annual sustainability report.

Some of the highlights noted in the report include:

• Kroger stores reduced overall energy consumption by 30% since 2000;

• Company-wide, including all facilities, Kroger has saved more than 2.2 billion kilowatt hours;

• Kroger completed its first wind energy project. Two wind turbines installed at Turkey Hill Dairy in Lancaster, Pa., will supply 25% of the dairy's annual electricity needs;

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has named Michael Donnelly as SVP merchandising. Donnelly has been president of the company's Ralphs division, based in Los Angeles, since August 2007.

In his new position, Donnelly will lead all merchandising and procurement for Kroger.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — A popcorn seasoning brand has launched its all-natural, ready-to-eat popcorn in four kosher varieties.

Kernel Season's said each of its popcorn varieties are made with natural sunflower oil, real cheese and clarified butter, and are free of trans fat per serving, artificial colors or flavors. The company debuted the popcorn this past May at the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo.

CINCINNATI — Kroger reported solid first-quarter results and marked 30 consecutive quarters in which identical-store sales increased, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

Kroger said that identical-store sales rose 4.6%, excluding fuel, to about $20.8 billion. Identical stores are defined as supermarkets open at least five quarters.

The company said its first-quarter revenue for the period ended May 21, including fuel, rose 11% to about $27.5 billion, compared with the year-ago period. Excluding fuel, total sales were 4.8% above last year.