Kroger Stock Price, News & Analysis

Home Chef and Skinnytaste have partnered to enhance meal options amid the rising trend of home cooking, driven by the pandemic. The collaboration features eight co-created recipes under 550 calories, catering to various dietary needs, with weekly offerings starting April 23, 2021, and running until June 18, 2021. As one of the leading meal kit services, Home Chef has delivered over 3.5 million meals monthly and is rated #1 in customer satisfaction since 2018. This collaboration aims to meet growing demand for healthier, convenient meal solutions.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has announced the expansion of its Our Brands Recycling Program, enabling customers to recycle flexible plastic packaging from all private-label brands, including Simple Truth® and Private Selection®. This program, developed with TerraCycle, allows consumers to mail in packaging like snack and pet food bags, contributing to the company's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative. Kroger reported record sales of over $26.2 billion for its private-label brands in 2020, highlighting strong consumer demand for sustainable solutions.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) hosted its 2021 Investor Day on March 31, outlining a strategy aimed at achieving a total shareholder return of 8% to 11%. CEO Rodney McMullen emphasized a focus on freshness, value, and convenience through digital acceleration and customer loyalty. Key elements of the strategy include increasing sales via fresh food, enhancing profitability through digital growth, and widening competitive moats. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance projecting net earnings growth of 3% to 5% and strong free cash flow for growth initiatives.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) will host a virtual investor conference on March 31, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Executives will discuss strategic initiatives, followed by a Q&A session. The live presentation can be accessed at ir.kroger.com. An on-demand replay will be available after 5:00 p.m. ET on April 1, 2021. Kroger aims to serve 60 million households and is committed to #ZeroHungerZeroWaste by 2025.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) declared a quarterly dividend of 18 cents per share, payable on June 1, 2021, to shareholders of record by May 14, 2021. The company's dividend has consistently grown at a double-digit compound annual growth rate since 2006. Kroger remains committed to its capital allocation strategy, focusing on profitable growth while maintaining an investment-grade debt rating. Future dividend funding will depend on the company's ability to generate anticipated free cash flow and operational results.

Kroger Health has ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination capacity, now able to administer one million doses weekly through pharmacies and clinics. This initiative includes a newly implemented focus hour dedicated to vaccinations. Kroger Health plans to initiate 100 mass vaccination events across the U.S., starting in Ohio and Kentucky. With over 2,250 pharmacies and 220 clinics, the organization aims to enhance access and speed up vaccine rollout, benefiting frontline workers and communities. The company focuses on collaboration with government officials to optimize vaccine distribution.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has expanded its partnership with 80 Acres Farms to provide farm-fresh produce across Ohio and the Midwest. Starting March 15, 80 Acres Farms will supply produce to 316 Kroger stores in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. This partnership emphasizes the availability of pesticide-free, nutritious produce year-round. The initiative aims to support Kroger's mission for 'Zero Hunger | Zero Waste' while ensuring customers have access to fresh, affordable food. The latest farm will deliver 10 million servings of produce to the community.