The Kroger Co. operates a U.S. grocery retail business with supermarkets across multiple banners, complemented by fuel centers, pharmacies, private-label products, manufacturing, advertising and data analytics. News about KR commonly covers fresh food and seasonal merchandising, pickup and delivery services, digital coupons, private brands such as Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger brand products, and customer access through Kroger.com, the Kroger app and delivery marketplaces.
Company updates also include Harris Teeter, a wholly owned Kroger subsidiary, with recurring coverage of pharmacy services, nutrition support, grocery promotions, fuel rewards, community programs and associate initiatives. Other news themes include new products entering Kroger-banner stores, floral and gift offerings such as Bloom Haus, and enterprise training programs such as Pearl Street Academy.
Harris Teeter (KR) plans to invest approximately $253 million over the next three years to refresh and modernize select stores across the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro area and to develop three new locations.
Renovations will span communities including Fort Mill and Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Matthews, Waxhaw, Concord and Huntersville, North Carolina. Store enhancements may include expanded fresh, bakery and prepared foods, layout and fixture updates, parking-area improvements, faster pickup and delivery services, and updated decor and signage. New stores are planned in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and Kannapolis, North Carolina, with upgrades rolling out in phases and grand re-openings featuring Taste of Teeter events.
Kroger (KR) is promoting healthier eating in late summer by highlighting the nutritional benefits of peak-season fruits and vegetables and offering a $5 off a $20 produce purchase.
Kroger dietitians recommend berries, corn, peaches, peppers, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini for their fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and hydration benefits. Customers can access virtual dietitian appointments via Kroger.com/Health to plan balanced meals. The $5 produce offer can be redeemed in store or through the Kroger app by clipping a digital coupon and shopping any fresh department, with options for in-store, pickup, delivery in as little as 30 minutes, or on-demand via DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Kroger (KR) reported second quarter 2026 sales of $34.6 billion and earnings per share of $1.05, with adjusted EPS of $1.09, for the quarter ended August 15, 2026.
Identical sales without fuel grew 0.2%, including a 138 basis point unfavorable impact from the Inflation Reduction Act. Operating profit rose to $971 million from $863 million, while adjusted FIFO operating profit was $1,076 million versus $1,091 million a year earlier. Gross margin was 22.4% of sales, down from 22.5%, but the FIFO gross margin rate excluding rent, depreciation, amortization and fuel increased 13 basis points. Adjusted eCommerce sales grew 20% and Kroger Precision Marketing profit increased 24%. The company cut full‑year 2026 identical sales without fuel guidance to 0.2%–0.8% from 1.0%–2.0%, but reaffirmed guidance for FIFO operating profit, EPS, free cash flow, capital expenditures and tax rate.
Kroger (KR) appointed Mark Ibbotson as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective September 14, 2026.
Ibbotson has decades of experience leading large-scale retail operations and omnichannel transformations, including senior roles at Walmart U.S. and its former U.K. subsidiary Asda. At Asda he advanced through operational leadership positions to become Chief Operating Officer, overseeing hundreds of stores, improving efficiency and cost, and expanding eCommerce, pickup and drive-through services.
At Walmart U.S., he served as Senior Vice President of Innovation and later Executive Vice President of Central Operations and Realty, with responsibilities spanning store operations, real estate, asset protection and key elements of Walmart’s digital transformation, including grocery eCommerce, pickup and delivery, and associate training through Walmart Academies. Since 2020, he has advised retail and technology companies and served as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company.
Kroger (NYSE: KR) announced the 2026 Kroger Wellness Tour, a month-long initiative in September to deliver practical wellness resources in stores and local communities nationwide. Participating Kroger Family of Stores will host wellness-focused in-store activations every Friday and Saturday, offering better-for-you product sampling, OptUP® Picks information, and access to Kroger Health experts, including pharmacists and dietitians.
The tour also features four community mini-fest events on September 5 (Nashville area), September 12 (Houston area), September 19 (Phoenix area) and September 26 (Salt Lake City area). These events may include product sampling, wellness workshops, cooking demonstrations, fitness activities, giveaways, coupons and community engagement opportunities.
Murray's Cheese, a banner within Kroger (NYSE: KR), is debuting its exclusive Cave Aged cheese collection at five Murray's Cheese kiosks inside Harris Teeter stores in the Charlotte, North Carolina area starting fall 2026. The small-batch cheeses are affinaged in Murray's NYC state-of-the-art caves, using time-honored techniques on wheels sourced from leading creameries. Several of the cave-aged varieties available at Harris Teeter received honors at the 2026 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards. Harris Teeter is also hosting Perfect Pairing tasting events on August 27 at five Charlotte-area locations to showcase the new offerings.
Kroger (NYSE: KR) and Instacart (NASDAQ: CART) launched a new Instacart-powered service that lets customers receive groceries and eligible prescriptions in a single delivery order via Kroger websites and apps. The Grocery & Prescription Delivery option connects shoppers to more than 2,200 Kroger pharmacy locations across nearly all Kroger banners nationwide.
Eligible prescriptions are filled and verified by Kroger pharmacy teams, then delivered from local stores by Instacart shoppers in tamper-resistant packaging. Boost by Kroger Plus members receive added benefits, including free grocery and prescription delivery on eligible orders and other membership perks.
Kroger (NYSE: KR) will host its second quarter 2026 earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026. Management will discuss financial and operational results, with a live webcast and replay available via Kroger's investor relations website.
Harris Teeter (NYSE: KR) and Titan Farms marked the 13th year of their Peaches with a Purpose campaign, which supports families facing hunger across the Carolinas. In 2026, they will donate 37,800 pounds of fresh South Carolina peaches to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, with transport services donated by Salem Transportation.
Kroger (NYSE:KR) appointed Nate Faust as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, effective September 1, 2026. He will lead Kroger’s digital and eCommerce efforts.
Faust previously co-founded Jet.com, served as COO there, and later became Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. eCommerce Supply Chain after Jet.com’s acquisition. He also founded Olive, focused on waste-free delivery and returns for fashion brands. Earlier, he was on the executive team at Diapers.com, helping develop a fast nationwide fulfillment network. Faust holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S.E. from Princeton University.