History of Kroger in Timeline
The Kroger Company is a major American retailer operating supermarkets and multi-department stores across the United States.
1928: Entry into Western Pennsylvania
Kroger established a presence in Western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, starting in 1928.
1929: Safeway Merger Rumors
Rumors circulated in 1929 about a potential merger between Safeway and Kroger.
1932: Pilot Project with Parking Lot
In 1932, Kroger tested a pilot project with a grocery store in Indianapolis surrounded by a 75-car parking space.
January 1956: Acquisition of Big Chain Stores
In January 1956, Kroger acquired Big Chain Stores, Inc., a seven-store chain based in Shreveport, Louisiana, later merging it with the Childs group.
September 1957: Divestiture of Wichita Store Division
Kroger sold its 16-store division in Wichita, Kansas, to J. S. Dillon and Sons Stores Company in September 1957.
October 1963: Entry into Southern California
Kroger acquired the 56-store chain Market Basket in October 1963, marking its entry into the Southern California market.
1966: Kroger Unifies Banners
All acquired chains, including Big Chain Stores and Childs, adopted the Kroger banner in 1966.
1970: Exit from Minneapolis-Saint Paul
Kroger exited the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area in 1970, selling 16 stores to Quality Foods, which rebranded them to Piggly Wiggly.
1972: Construction of Crossroads Farms Dairy
In 1972, Kroger built an ultra-modern dairy plant called Crossroads Farms Dairy in Indianapolis, considered the largest dairy plant globally at the time.
1972: Exit from Milwaukee
Kroger exited Milwaukee in 1972, selling some stores to Jewel.
1977: Entry into Charlotte Market
Kroger entered the Charlotte market in 1977 and expanded rapidly in the 1980s by acquiring stores from BI-LO.
1980: Entry into San Antonio Market
Kroger entered the competitive San Antonio, Texas, market in 1980.
1980: Sale of Michigan Stores to Hamady Brothers
Kroger sold several Michigan stores to another Flint-based chain, Hamady Brothers, in 1980, although the acquisition was short-lived.
1981: Closure of Stores in Flint, Michigan
In 1981, Kroger closed several stores around Flint, Michigan, which were later converted into Kessel Food Markets by local businessman Al Kessel.
1982: Exit from California Market
Despite entering the California market in 1963, Kroger struggled to gain a significant foothold and withdrew from the market in 1982.
1982: Kroger Sells Market Basket Chain
In 1982, Kroger sold the 65-store Market Basket chain in southern California. The stores were rebranded back to Boys Markets.
1983: Labor Strike in Western Pennsylvania
A protracted labor strike in 1983 and 1984, exacerbated by the economic recession, further impacted Kroger's operations in Western Pennsylvania.
1983: Kroger Acquires Dillon Companies
In 1983, Kroger acquired Dillon Companies and its subsidiaries, including King Soopers, City Market, Fry's, Gerbes, and Kwik Shop. David Dillon, a descendant of the Dillon Companies founder, became Kroger's CEO.
1984: Sale of Western Pennsylvania Stores
During the labor strike, Kroger sold its Western Pennsylvania stores to Wetterau (now part of SuperValu), who converted them to independent owners under the FoodLand and Shop 'n Save brands.
1984: Exit from Multiple Markets
Kroger exited the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron, and St. Louis markets from 1984 to 1986, citing high union wages as a barrier to competition.
1984: Exit from Western Pennsylvania
Kroger withdrew from the Western Pennsylvania market in 1984 due to the severe economic recession and its impact on the region's manufacturing-based economy and labor-management relations.
1985: Kroger Acquires Hook's Drug Stores
In 1985, Kroger outbid Rite Aid for the Hook's Drug Stores chain and combined it with SupeRx to form Hook's-SupeRx.
1986: Continued Exits from Markets
Kroger exited the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron, and St. Louis markets from 1984 to 1986, citing high union wages as a barrier to competition.
1988: Exit from Charlotte Market
Despite entering the Charlotte market in 1977, Kroger announced its withdrawal in 1988 and sold its stores, with Ahold purchasing the remaining stores and converting them to BI-LO.
1989: Kroger Withdraws from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Kroger withdrew from Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1989, selling many stores to Red Food, which was later acquired by BI-LO in 1994.
1989: Boys Markets Acquired by Yucaipa Companies
The Boys Markets chain was acquired by the Yucaipa Companies in 1989. The Boys brand later disappeared when Yucaipa acquired Ralphs.
June 15, 1993: Exit from San Antonio Market
Kroger announced the closure of its 15 stores in San Antonio, Texas, on June 15, 1993, marking its exit from the market.
1994: BI-LO Acquires Red Food
BI-LO acquired the Red Food grocery chain in 1994. Red Food had previously purchased many of Kroger's stores in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1994: Kroger Exits Stand-Alone Drugstore Business
In 1994, Kroger sold its Hook's and SupeRx stores to Revco, exiting the stand-alone drugstore business.
1994: Kroger Acquires AppleTree Markets in Houston
Kroger strengthened its presence in Houston by acquiring several former Safeway stores from AppleTree Markets in early 1994.
1998: Kroger Adds Fuel Centers
In 1998, Kroger began adding fuel centers in the parking lots of its supermarkets.
1998: Kroger Merges with Fred Meyer
In 1998, Kroger merged with Fred Meyer, the fifth-largest grocery company at the time. The merger included Fred Meyer subsidiaries Ralphs, QFC, and Smith's.
1999: Reacquisition of Stores in Flint
Kroger reacquired most of the stores it had sold in Flint, Michigan, in 1999 and began converting them back to Kroger stores.
1999: Kroger Swaps Stores with Harris Teeter
Kroger traded its ten stores in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Harris Teeter for eleven stores in central and western Virginia in 1999. Kroger would later acquire Harris Teeter fifteen years later.
2001: Kroger Acquires Baker's Supermarkets
Kroger acquired Baker's Supermarkets from Fleming Companies, Inc. in 2001.
2002: Kroger Acquires Albertsons Stores in Houston
When Albertsons exited the San Antonio and Houston markets in early 2002, Kroger purchased many of the Houston stores.
2004: Kroger Acquires Thriftway Stores in Cincinnati
Kroger acquired most of the former Thriftway stores in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2004 after Winn-Dixie left the area. The stores were reopened under the Kroger banner.
2005: Kroger Begins Renovating Stores to Marketplace Format
In 2005, Kroger initiated a renovation project, converting and updating many of its Kroger Food & Drug stores in Ohio to the expanded Kroger Marketplace format.
February 2006: Kroger Announces Plans for Two New Marketplace Stores
In February 2006, Kroger unveiled its plans to open two new Kroger Marketplace stores in the Cincinnati suburbs of Lebanon and Liberty Township by the end of the summer.
July 2006: Kroger Marketplace Opens in Liberty Township
The Kroger Marketplace store in Liberty Township opened its doors in July 2006, following the announcement of expansion plans earlier that year.
October 5, 2006: New Kroger Marketplace Opens in Gahanna
A new Kroger Marketplace store opened in Gahanna on October 5, 2006, bringing the total number of Marketplace stores to six, with four located in the Columbus area and two in the Cincinnati area.
2006: New Common Logo Introduced
In 2006, Kroger introduced a new common logo for all of its convenience store chains, which is also used at its fuel centers.
2006: Kroger's Previous Attempt to Enter Hawaii
Kroger had initially planned to expand to Hawaii in 2006 but withdrew despite submitting registration.
April 2007: New Kroger Marketplace Opens in Middletown
A new Kroger Marketplace store opened in Middletown in April 2007, replacing the old store that was demolished to make way for the current parking lot.
2007: Kroger Acquires Scott's Food & Pharmacy and Farmer Jack Locations
In 2007, Kroger acquired Scott's Food & Pharmacy from SuperValu Inc. and 20 former Michigan Farmer Jack locations from A&P when it exited the Michigan market.
2007: Launch of Kroger Personal Finance
In 2007, Kroger introduced Kroger Personal Finance, offering branded Visa cards, mortgages, loans, insurance, identity theft protection, and wireless services.
November 2008: Two New Kroger Marketplace Stores Open in Northern Kentucky
Two new Kroger Marketplace stores were completed and opened in November 2008, located in the Northern Kentucky suburbs of Hebron and Walton.
2008: Greenpeace Ranks Supermarkets on Seafood Sustainability
In 2008, Greenpeace started ranking America's major supermarket chains on their seafood sustainability practices, highlighting concerns over overfishing and the depletion of top marine predators.
2008: Kroger Partners with Murray's Cheese
Kroger partnered with Murray's Cheese of New York City in 2008. This partnership led to Murray's Cheese counters in Kroger stores, offering a variety of artisanal cheese.
2008: First Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Tennessee
Tennessee welcomed its first Kroger Marketplace store at the end of 2008, located in Farragut, a suburb of Knoxville.
October 9, 2009: First Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Texas
The first Kroger Marketplace store in Texas opened its doors on October 9, 2009, located within the Waterside Marketplace in Richmond, Texas.
December 4, 2009: Second Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Rosenberg, Texas
The second Kroger Marketplace store in Texas opened on December 4, 2009, located in Rosenberg.
2009: Second Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Tennessee
In early 2009, a second Kroger Marketplace store opened in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, situated approximately 20 miles south of Nashville.
2009: Three Kroger Marketplace Stores Open in Kentucky
Three new Kroger Marketplace stores were established in Kentucky during 2009, with two opening in Lexington and one in Newport.
March 11, 2010: Third Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Gallatin, Tennessee
The third Kroger Marketplace store in Tennessee was inaugurated on March 11, 2010, in Gallatin.
August 2010: First Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Arkansas
August 2010 marked the opening of the first Kroger Marketplace store in Arkansas, situated on Chenal Parkway in Little Rock.
2010: New Kroger Marketplace Stores Open in Ohio and South Carolina
In 2010, a new Kroger Marketplace store opened in Mount Orab, Ohio, during the spring, and another store, measuring 60,000 square feet, was inaugurated in North Augusta, South Carolina.
2010: Third Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Frisco, Texas
In early 2010, the third Kroger Marketplace store in Texas was established in Frisco.
August 11, 2011: Fourth Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Willis, Texas
The fourth Kroger Marketplace store in Texas opened on August 11, 2011, located in Willis.
September 29, 2011: First Kroger Marketplace Opens in Indiana
Indiana's first Kroger Marketplace store opened its doors on September 29, 2011, situated on Dupont Road in Fort Wayne's northwest side, replacing a Kroger Food & Drug store.
October 4, 2012: Second Kroger Marketplace Opens in Fort Wayne
On October 4, 2012, a second Kroger Marketplace store opened in Fort Wayne, Indiana, converted from a Scott's Food and Pharmacy in the Village at Coventry.
December 6, 2012: First Kroger Marketplace in Virginia
On December 6, 2012, the first Kroger Marketplace in Virginia opened on Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, on the site of the former Cloverleaf Mall.
2012: New Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Conway, Arkansas
A new Kroger Marketplace store opened in Conway, Arkansas, in 2012, expanding the company's presence in the state.
2012: Launch of Simple Truth Brand
In 2012, Kroger launched its flagship natural and organic brand, Simple Truth, marking its first foray into making its own gluten-free products.
April 2013: Kroger Cuts Spousal Insurance Benefits
In April 2013, Kroger announced that spouses of unionized workers would no longer be covered by the company's insurance plan, citing the Affordable Care Act. Full-time employees retained their benefits.
June 14, 2013: First Kroger Marketplace in Michigan
On June 14, 2013, the first Kroger Marketplace in Michigan opened at Sterns and Secor Roads in Lambertville, expanding from 68,000 to 133,000 square feet.
July 9, 2013: Kroger Acquires Harris Teeter
On July 9, 2013, Kroger acquired the 212-store Harris Teeter chain for $2.5 billion. This acquisition marked Kroger's return to the Charlotte market and its entry into Asheville, North Carolina.
July 31, 2013: Kroger Marketplace in Virginia Beach
On July 31, 2013, another Kroger Marketplace opened in Virginia Beach at the site of a former Super Kmart.
October 15, 2014: Kroger Marketplace in Portsmouth
On October 15, 2014, a fourth Kroger Marketplace location opened in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the site of the former I.C. Norcom High School.
2014: New Kroger Marketplace Store Opens in Jonesboro, Arkansas
In 2014, Kroger opened a new Marketplace store in Jonesboro, Arkansas, further expanding its reach within the state.
2014: Gun Control Campaign by Moms Demand Action
In 2014, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America began a campaign to pressure Kroger to ban the open carry of firearms in its stores, which Kroger rebuffed, stating that they follow local gun laws.
February 2015: Kroger Registers as a Business in Hawaii
Kroger registered as a new business in Hawaii in February 2015, marking its intention to enter the market.
March 3, 2015: Kroger Announces Expansion to Hawaii
Kroger announced its entry into the Hawaiian market on March 3, 2015. The company planned to compete with established players like Foodland, Times, Safeway, Walmart, Costco, Don Quixote, and DeCA Commissaries.
April 2015: Creation of 84.51°
In April 2015, Kroger created 84.51°, a wholly owned subsidiary engaged in data science and consumer insights, after purchasing the remaining half of Dunnhumby USA from Tesco.
May 1, 2015: Kroger Acquires Hiller's Market
On May 1, 2015, Kroger acquired the seven-store Hiller's Market chain in Southeast Michigan. They planned to operate most of the stores under the Kroger banner.
June 2015: Kroger Eliminates Harris Teeter Brand in Nashville
Kroger phased out the Harris Teeter brand in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2015 due to strong competition. They closed two stores outright and converted three to the Kroger brand.
November 11, 2015: Kroger Merges with Roundy's
Kroger announced a merger with Roundy's on November 11, 2015, for $800 million. The acquisition brought Kroger back to Wisconsin and added Roundy's, Pick 'n Save, Mariano's, Metro Market, and Copps under its umbrella.
2015: Large Kroger Marketplace Opens in Oakley, Cincinnati
A large Kroger Marketplace, covering an area of 145,000 square feet, opened in the Cincinnati suburb of Oakley in 2015.
2015: Return to Milwaukee
Kroger returned to Milwaukee in 2015 after acquiring Roundy's.
April 2016: Kroger Invests in Lucky's Market
Kroger made a significant investment in Lucky's Market, an organic foods supermarket chain with 17 stores, in April 2016.
September 16, 2016: First Kroger Marketplace in Mississippi
On September 16, 2016, the first Kroger Marketplace in Mississippi opened in Hernando, featuring a Starbucks, ClickList, and expanded deli.
October 2016: Kroger Announces New Marketplace in La Porte, Indiana
In October 2016, Kroger announced plans for a new Marketplace store in La Porte, Indiana, as part of the NewPorte Landing development.
2016: Kroger's Sales in 2016
In 2016, Kroger's sales reached $110 billion, making it the second-largest grocer in the nation.
February 7, 2017: Kroger Purchases Murray's Cheese
On February 7, 2017, it was announced that Kroger Co. had purchased Murray's Cheese.
February 2017: Kroger Ends Senior Citizen Discount
As of February 2017, Kroger is no longer offering a discount to senior citizens aged 59 and up.
February 2017: Kroger Closes Two Louisville Stores
Kroger faced community protests in February 2017 after announcing the closure of two stores in Louisville, Kentucky, despite high sales volume and population density in those areas.
May 1, 2017: Kroger Signs Marketing Agreement with University of Kentucky
On May 1, 2017, Kroger, along with the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics, sports and campus marketing partner JMI Sports, announced a 12-year, $1.85 million per year campus marketing agreement. This agreement includes the naming rights to Commonwealth Stadium, which will be renamed Kroger Field.
May 10, 2017: Kroger Opens First Fresh Eats MKT Convenience Store
On May 10, 2017, Kroger opened its first convenience store in Blacklick, Ohio, labeled "Fresh Eats MKT". The new prototype stores will have about 12,000 square feet of space and will sell food, featuring a Starbucks and a Kroger Pharmacy.
June 1, 2017: Kroger Opens Second Fresh Eats MKT Store
On June 1, 2017, Kroger opened their second Fresh Eats MKT store.
2017: MasterCard for 1-2-3 REWARDS Credit Card
In 2017, Kroger's newly branded 1-2-3 REWARDS credit card, issued by U.S. Bank, switched to the MasterCard network.
February 2018: Kroger Announces Sale of Convenience Stores
In February 2018, Kroger announced it would be selling its 762 convenience stores to EG Group for $2.15 billion. These stores operate under various banners including Turkey Hill and Loaf 'N Jug.
April 10, 2018: Kroger Plans to Hire 11,000 New Employees
On April 10, 2018, Kroger announced plans to hire an estimated 11,000 new employees, including 2,000 managerial positions, bringing the company's total employment close to half a million.
April 20, 2018: Kroger Sells Convenience Stores to EG Group
The sale of 762 Kroger convenience stores to EG Group for $2.15 billion was completed on April 20, 2018. Kroger retains just over 20 convenience stores, excluding supermarket fuel centers from the sale.
May 17, 2018: Kroger Partners with Ocado for Ecommerce
On May 17, 2018, Kroger announced a partnership with Ocado, a UK-based online supermarket, to improve its ecommerce program by constructing 20 new, automated fulfillment centers.
May 24, 2018: Kroger Acquires Home Chef
On May 24, 2018, Kroger announced the acquisition of Home Chef for $200 million, with an additional $500 million in incentives if certain targets are met.
June 13, 2018: Kroger Exits Raleigh-Durham Area
On June 13, 2018, Kroger Mid-Atlantic announced it would be leaving the Raleigh-Durham area by closing all 14 Kroger-branded stores, with eight transitioning to Harris Teeter and others to various new tenants.
June 2018: Kroger Tests Driverless Cars
In June 2018, Kroger announced it would be testing driverless cars for delivering groceries, partnering with autonomous car company Nuro.
July 2018: Kroger Reverses Net 90 Payment Plan
In July 2018, Kroger officials backed off a Net 90 payment plan to the produce industry.
October 2018: Kroger Launches Online Wine Delivery
In October 2018, Kroger announced online wine delivery to 14 states in partnership with DRINKS, allowing customers to select assorted wines in 6-bottle or 12-bottle packs.
December 4, 2018: Kroger Express in Walgreens
On December 4, 2018, Kroger announced a deal to sell food inside Walgreens through Kroger Express, offering meal kits and other meal solutions.
2018: Construction Begins on La Porte Kroger Marketplace
Construction of the new 123,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace in La Porte, Indiana, was expected to commence in early 2018.
2018: CEO Rodney McMullen Earns $12 Million
In 2018, Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen received a compensation of $12 million.
2018: Kroger Divests Convenience Stores
In 2018, Kroger sold its 782 convenience stores to EG Group.
2018: Logo Used at EG Group Convenience Stores
In 2018, the logo introduced in 2006 continued to be used at the convenience stores sold to EG Group.
August 2019: Kroger Introduces Cash Back Fees
In August 2019, Kroger began charging customers between $0.50 and $3.50 for receiving cash back while making purchases with debit cards, following a test market in Kansas.
November 2019: Kroger Unveils Updated Logo and Expands Wine Delivery
In November 2019, Kroger unveiled an updated logo with the tagline 'Fresh For Everyone' and announced the expansion of its online wine delivery program to 19 states plus Washington D.C. in partnership with DRINKS.
December 2019: Kroger Named Second-Largest Grocer in the Nation
In December 2019, Kroger was named the second-largest grocer in the nation with $110 billion in sales for 2016. USA Today also listed Kroger as the top supermarket in multiple states based on various metrics.
2019: Kroger's Sales Increase in 2019
Compared to the same period in 2019, Kroger saw an increase of about 30% in sales during the pandemic in 2020.
2019: Kroger Bans Visa Credit Cards
In 2019, Kroger banned the use of Visa credit cards at two of its subsidiary chains, Foods Co. Supermarkets and Smiths, citing rising costs from premium cards.
2019: Kroger Shifts Towards Self-Checkout
In 2019, Kroger began increasing the use of self-checkout lanes and smartphone apps, investing millions to replace many cashier stations with automation by 2023.
March 2020: Kroger Introduces Hero Pay
In March 2020, Kroger introduced 'hero pay,' a $2 per hour raise for essential workers during the pandemic.
March 2020: Kroger Discontinues Fresh Eats MKT Concept
The Fresh Eats MKT concept was discontinued by Kroger in March 2020.
April 2020: Kroger Reports Fiscal Year 2020 Earnings
In April 2020, Kroger reported earnings of US$1.907 billion and annual revenue of US$122.286 billion for the fiscal year 2020, a 0.4% increase from the previous year. The company's shares were trading at over $32, resulting in a market capitalization of US$25.9 billion.
May 2020: Kroger Ends Hero Pay
In May 2020, Kroger ended the 'hero pay' program, which had provided an additional $2 per hour to essential workers.
November 20, 2020: Kroger's Earnings and Revenue Growth
On November 20, 2020, it was reported that Kroger's quarterly revenues were $29.72 billion, with earnings and dividends growing rapidly in 2020. The company's earnings increased by 87.7% during the pandemic.
2020: Kroger's Online Sales Growth During Pandemic
In 2020, Kroger's online sales grew by 116%, reaching over $10 billion annually, as the company expanded its online shopping capability during the pandemic.
2020: CEO Rodney McMullen's Compensation Reaches $22 Million
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen's compensation reached $22 million in 2020, a significant increase from his 2018 earnings.
January 2021: Long Beach Ordinance for Hazard Pay
In January 2021, the Long Beach City Council in California passed an ordinance requiring large grocery stores like Kroger to provide their essential workers with a $4 per hour hazard pay increase for 120 days.
February 13, 2021: PBS NewsHour Report on Hero Pay
According to a PBS NewsHour broadcast on February 13, 2021, during the pandemic, Kroger provided its essential workers with 'hero pay,' a $2 per hour raise from the end of March 2020 until May 2020.
April 2021: First Ocado Fulfillment Center Opens
The first of Kroger's fulfillment centers in partnership with Ocado, located in Monroe, Ohio, opened in April 2021.
July 2021: Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Against Kroger
In July 2021, a wrongful-death lawsuit was filed against Kroger by the family of Evan Seyfried, who committed suicide after allegedly enduring workplace abuse at a Kroger location in Milford, Ohio.
August 2, 2021: Elaine Chao Joins Board of Directors
On August 2, 2021, Kroger announced the appointment of Elaine Chao, former Secretary of Labor and Transportation, to its board of directors. The decision sparked backlash and boycott calls from some Kroger customers due to Chao's political affiliations.
August 2021: Berkshire Hathaway Becomes Top Shareholder
By August 2021, Berkshire Hathaway had become one of the top ten shareholders in Kroger, after starting to buy shares earlier in 2020.
September 2021: Kroger Modifies Logo with "Fresh Cart" Symbol
In September 2021, Kroger updated its logo, adding a "Fresh Cart" symbol that represents a shopping cart basket with citrus slices.
September 23, 2021: Mass Shooting at Collierville, Tennessee Store
On September 23, 2021, a Kroger store in Collierville, Tennessee, experienced a mass shooting, resulting in one fatality and 13 injuries. The shooter, a third-party vendor, died by suicide. Kroger provided counseling services and temporarily closed the store.
October 2021: Kroger Expands Online Delivery to South Florida
Kroger announced its expansion into South Florida's online delivery market in October 2021. The company planned to establish automated fulfillment centers in partnership with Ocado Group and expand its delivery services to other regions, including the Northeast, California, and several other states.
December 2021: Kroger Ends COVID-19 Benefits for Unvaccinated Employees
In December 2021, Kroger announced the elimination of some COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated employees, including ending two weeks of paid emergency leave and introducing a $50 monthly surcharge to health plans for unvaccinated managers and nonunion employees.
April 5, 2022: Kroger Launches Restaurant Supply Business
On April 5, 2022, Kroger diversified beyond its retail operations by launching Kroger Restaurant Supply in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, supplying food and related products to restaurants, bakeries, and catering services.
October 14, 2022: Kroger Announces Merger with Albertsons
Kroger announced a $24.6 billion merger agreement with Albertsons on October 14, 2022, with plans to divest certain stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers for regulatory approval. The merger is expected to finalize in early 2024.
2022: Economic Roundtable Survey Highlights Wage Disparity and Food Insecurity at Kroger
In 2022, an Economic Roundtable survey of 10,000 workers in Colorado, Southern California, and Washington revealed that Kroger workers' wages had declined in recent years while executive pay had risen. Over 75% of workers reported experiencing food insecurity.
2022: Kroger to Acquire Albertsons
Kroger announced its intention to acquire Albertsons, the parent company of Safeway, in 2022.
September 2023: Kroger Opens Eighth Ocado Fulfillment Center
As of September 2023, Kroger has constructed and opened eight fulfillment centers in partnership with Ocado, with the latest "spoke" facility opening in Johnstown, Colorado.
2023: Kroger's Transition to Self-Checkout
By 2023, Kroger plans to have more self-checkout lanes and smartphone apps than cashier lanes, as part of a larger shift towards automation.
January 2024: Washington State Sues to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Washington state filed a lawsuit in January 2024 to prevent the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger, expressing concerns about potential price increases and adverse effects on consumers.
February 2024: Colorado and the FTC File Lawsuits to Block Merger
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit in February 2024 against the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing concerns from consumers about potential store closures, price hikes, job losses, and diminished service quality. The FTC followed suit, claiming the deal would harm consumer prices and worker wages.
