7 major moves Kroger made in 2018

After acquiring Home Chef earlier this year, Kroger announced last week that its meal kits would be available on shelves across the United States.

The initial transaction price is $200 million and future payments of up to $500 million over five years are contingent on achieving certain sales goals, the company said. The meal kits — which start at $8.50 — will be available in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin, to start out.

Kroger has a major presence in the region. The chain has approximately 6,000 workers in the Dayton area where they have invested over $160 million in new storing, remodels and fuel centers in the past 10 years, according to Tim Brown, president of Kroger's Cincinnati/Dayton division.

Here are seven other major moves that Kroger made in 2018:

1. Kroger sells off convenience store business for $2.15B

Kroger has sold off its convenience store business unite to EG Group for approximately $2.15 billion. EG Group, a privately-held petrol forecourt convenience store retailer in the United Kingdom, agreed to purchase the chain form Kroger. The deal includes 784 stores operating across 18 states, including 66 franchise locations. READ MORE

2. Kroger to roll out digital aisle displays that connect to smartphones

Kroger is changing how customers will shop in stores with new digital aisle displays that connect and interact with smartphones. The Cincinnati-based grocery retailer is rolling out new technology called Kroger Edge in nearly 200 stores in 2018. The technology will be installed on store shelves where paper price tags currently hang. READ MORE

3. Kroger expands organic brand offerings

Cincinnati-headquartered Kroger, in partnership with Fair Trade USA, announced today that its Simple Truth brand will expand in 2018 to offer more Fair Trade Certified productsThe Simple Truth brand’s current portfolio of Fair Trade products spans multiple commodities, including coffee, cocoa, coconut, tea, sugar and agave. READ MORE

4. Kroger, Walgreens explore partnership

Kroger and Walgreens announced that the companies are collaborating on an exploratory pilot with a new format and concept that combines Kroger’s role as America’s grocer and food authority with Walgreens global expertise in pharmacy, health and beauty. The two retail leaders have selected 13 Walgreens stores in Northern Kentucky, near Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters, to pilot the format. The companies will conduct this pilot over the next several months, listening closely to customer feedback.

5. Kroger, Instacart expand same-day delivery

Kroger and Instacart plan to bring same-day delivery experience to 75 additional Kroger Family of Stores markets throughout the U.S. by late October. The expansion will grow Kroger and Instacart's nationwide footprint by 50 percent, making the delivery service available through more than 1,600 stores.

6. Kroger launches fashion apparel brand

Kroger Co. announced its new apparel brand Dip, developed by fashion designer Joe Mimran. Dip will launch with men's, women's, juniors, kids and baby collections. With an overhauled and streamlined approach to apparel, Dip will replace more than a dozen of the company's private-label clothing brands. The fashion line will launch this fall across America in more than 300 Fred Meyer and Kroger Marketplace stores. READ MORE

7. No more waiting? Kroger looks to eliminate checkout lanes

The Cincinnati-headquartered grocery chain will roll out its “Scan, Bag, Go” service to 400 stores in 2018, according to Business Insider. Shoppers can avoid long checkout lines by scanning barcodes of items they want to buy using a handheld scanner or through Kroger’s “Scan, Bag, Go” app on any smartphone. READ MORE

FIVE FAST READS

• You won't believe the inside of this INCREDIBLE Oakwood house

• 5 things you need to know about Sears' bankruptcy

• Air Force adapts training for medics

• Sears among six retailers closing in Ohio this year

• Thunderbirds celebrate milestone year representing US Air Force

About the Author