Kroger Recap 2022: Major Milestones

Kroger is one of the largest retailers in the world, operating almost 2,800 stores across 35 states under two dozen banners. Its yearly sales total more than $132.5 billion. The formats offered by Kroger include supermarkets, easy-to-use digital shopping solutions, price-impact warehouse stores, and multi-department stores, which are akin to supercenters but offer a wider selection of apparel and other merchandise from national brands.

‍Kroger, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is currently serving nearly 11 million customers. Kroger announced strong results in the third quarter of 2022, driven by the “Leading with Fresh and Accelerating with Digital” strategy. As a company that is committed to providing a seamless customer experience with no compromise on quality, selection, or convenience, Kroger hit many milestones last year. Here is a look at some of Kroger’s major milestones:  

‍Kroger & Albertsons Merger

Kroger and Albertsons sent shockwaves through the grocery industry when they announced that Kroger would merge with one of its greatest rivals. The deal, reported to be worth $24.6 billion, will allow Kroger and Albertsons to leverage their massive assets to compete with perennial powerhouse Walmart for grocery supremacy. 

In its release, Kroger announced that “through a family of well-known and trusted supermarket banners, this combination will expand customer reach and improve proximity to deliver fresh and affordable food to approximately 85 million households with a premier omnichannel experience.” Together, Albertsons and Kroger currently employ more than 710,000 associates and operate 4,996 stores, 66 distribution centers, 52 manufacturing plants, 3,972 pharmacies, and 2,015 fuel centers. 

‍Boost Membership Nationwide Launch

Kroger announced a nationwide launch of Boost - its latest expansion to its industry-leading loyalty program. Customers who purchase the annual membership receive unlimited free grocery delivery on purchases totaling $35 or more, up to $1 per gallon fuel discounts, and additional savings on Our Brands products. According to Kroger, membership can help customers save more than $1,000 annually on fuel and grocery delivery.

"Boost contributes to our rapidly expanding seamless ecosystem, bringing value and convenience to many more families across America as we roll out new delivery fulfillment centers. Through Boost, Kroger is uniquely positioned to be Fresh for Everyone, making grocery delivery accessible to more customers through the industry's most affordable grocery delivery membership program. Combine this with our industry-leading fuel points program, we are confident we have built a differentiated membership program that our customers will love,” said Bill Bennett, Kroger Vice President and Head of E-commerce.

‍Expansion of Fulfillment Network

Kroger worked towards offering delivery to more Americans by adding spoke facilities across the country that are powered by the Ocado Group and utilize vertical integration, machine learning, and robots to provide an affordable, amiable, and rapid fresh food delivery service as part of the company's seamless ecosystem. Kroger expanded its fulfillment network to Louisville (Kentucky), Romulus (Michigan), Metro Atlanta, Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), Cleveland Region, and Birmingham (Alabama), among others.     

"Kroger Delivery starts by bringing the shopping experience to wherever our customers are, whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger.com. Here, customers can access our seamless experience that promises an extensive assortment, thousands of digital coupons, and an entirely personalized shopping trip," said Bennett.

‍Introduction of New Smart Way Product Line

In this continuous inflationary climate, consumers tend to stretch their expenditures further than ever. The product line Smart Way is an initiative by Kroger to combat this challenge and provide a solution which is simple for customers to discover. With Smart Way, the portfolio of ‘Our Brands’ will now have a streamlined opening price point brand strategy.

Kroger's Our Brands portfolio, which also includes the company's own brand, Simple Truth, Home Chef, Private Selection, and Heritage Farm, among others, has expanded with the addition of Smart Way. The product line consolidates several legacy brands and allows the customers looking for products with an opening price point to quickly discover what they need on the shelves.

‍Collaboration furthers between Kroger & Nuro

With the launch of Nuro's third-generation autonomous delivery vehicle, Kroger and Nuro announced a collaboration to reimagine the customer experience with autonomous vehicles. Kroger has collaborated with the autonomous vehicle firm since 2018, leveraging  all-electric, autonomous vehicles to deliver fresh groceries.

"Our expanded collaboration with Nuro supports Kroger's commitment to provide fresh food, at a great value – all without asking our customers to compromise. The role of autonomous vehicles in our seamless ecosystem continues to increase, contributing to meeting our customers in the context of their day without compromising on the quality or value, while contributing to our long-term growth and sustainability goals," said Yael Cosset, Kroger's Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

‍Expansion of Kroger’s Home & Baby Offering

Kroger and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a top omnichannel retailer for home, baby, and wellness products, launched a joint e-commerce platform.

"When our customers think of food, they think of Kroger. And we're more than just food. This collaboration expands our e-commerce selection, enabling our customers to send a new homeowner a beautiful cheese board and the cheese that goes with it. Or they can send new parents a stroller alongside diapers and a Home Chef meal – all in one digital transaction, saving our customers time and providing a positive shopping and gifting experience," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger's Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant & Marketing Officer.