Kroger Stock Price, News & Analysis

Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Kroger have partnered to donate $25,000 to support middle school sports programs at Withrow University High School in Cincinnati. This initiative aims to combat the decline of youth sports due to budget issues. The donation will facilitate the purchase of sports equipment, enhancing students' physical activities and overall well-being. Since its launch in 2019, the Mission Tiger program has aided over 1 million kids nationwide, showcasing Kellogg's commitment to community engagement.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced the upcoming Kroger Wellness Festival in Cincinnati on September 23-24, 2022. This free event will feature over 50 programs and 300 sampling opportunities, emphasizing a holistic approach to wellness through six pillars: balance, move, breathe, care, uplift, and play. Celebrity guests include Olympic athletes and renowned chefs. The festival also showcases fitness challenges, cooking demonstrations, and concerts by various artists. Kroger aims to inspire attendees towards a healthier lifestyle while promoting its Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative.

At Groceryshop 2022, Kroger's CIO Yael Cosset discussed evolving customer shopping trends, emphasizing a seamless shopping experience across delivery, pickup, and in-store options. He highlighted the success of the 'Boost by Kroger' loyalty program, which can save customers over $1,000 annually, contributing to increased digital sales. Cosset noted persistent food-at-home trends, driven by inflation, and the importance of a sustainable model that enhances customer satisfaction. This event brought together over 4,000 industry leaders, indicating strong interest in grocery retail innovation.

Home Chef, a top meal solutions company, has partnered with Rachael Ray to launch an exclusive line of meal kits featuring her recipes. Beginning September 2022, Home Chef will offer 26 new recipes weekly for six months, combining Rachael Ray's easy-to-follow recipes with Home Chef's services. The meals are available online at Home Chef and in over 1,300 Kroger Family stores. This partnership aims to enhance convenience in home cooking and appeals to a diverse range of home cooks with a variety of meal formats including Classic Meal Kits and Oven-Ready meals.

The Kroger Co. announced the opening of a new spoke in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 16, 2022, enhancing its grocery delivery service. This facility will operate as a last-mile cross-dock location, expanding delivery reach from the existing Atlanta fulfillment center. Employing over 160 associates, it aims to serve customers better and address food deserts in the area. Kroger's partnership with Ocado Group enables advanced grocery fulfillment through automation and AI technology, improving delivery efficiency and customer service.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has declared a quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share, to be paid on December 1, 2022. Shareholders on record as of November 15, 2022 will be eligible. Since its reinstatement in 2006, Kroger's dividend has grown at a 14% compounded annual growth rate. The company plans to use free cash flow to invest in business while maintaining an investment-grade debt rating and providing shareholder returns of 8 – 11% over time.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced a collaboration with Goldman Sachs Ayco to provide financial counseling services to its associates. This program, piloted in Cincinnati/Dayton and Fry's divisions, offers free and confidential access to financial coaches. Associates can work on savings plans, avoid financial pitfalls, and maximize company benefits. This initiative positions Kroger as the first U.S. retailer to provide such support to hourly workers, enhancing the associate experience and promoting financial wellness.

Kroger Co. reported a strong second quarter in 2022 with identical sales without fuel increasing by 5.8% and operating profit reaching $954 million. Adjusted EPS was $0.90, while total sales hit $34.6 billion, up from $31.7 billion YOY. The company is focused on its 'Leading with Fresh' and 'Accelerating with Digital' strategies, resulting in a 10.2% increase in Our Brands sales and 8% growth in digital sales. Kroger also raised its full-year guidance for identical sales to 4.0%-4.5% and adjusted EPS to $3.95-$4.05, alongside a significant dividend increase and a new $1 billion share repurchase program.

GENYOUth, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, Fry's Food Stores, and NFL Legend Drew Stanton have launched Mission 57: End Student Hunger. This initiative aims to combat food insecurity among Arizona youth by providing Grab and Go school meal equipment packages to 57 schools, enabling access to over 8.5 million meals for 31,000 students annually. Initiated amid a 10.9% annual food inflation, only 55% of eligible Arizona students currently participate in the school breakfast program. The project, supported by partners including Frito-Lay and The Quaker Oats Company, highlights the urgent need to address student hunger.