Kroger Stock Price, News & Analysis

Kroger Health has launched Abbott's BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, an over-the-counter rapid test for SARS-CoV-2, which has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization. The test offers results in just 15 minutes and can be used by individuals regardless of symptoms. Each kit includes two tests, facilitating better detection through serial testing.

Kroger Health continues its COVID-19 response efforts, having administered over 3.5 million vaccinations. The new at-home testing option aims to enhance diagnostic accessibility for Americans, supporting their return to normalcy.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Drone Express have initiated a pilot program for autonomous drone delivery aimed at enhancing Kroger's e-commerce capabilities. This innovation follows Kroger's impressive $10 billion e-commerce sales in 2020. The drone delivery system allows customers to receive groceries at their current location, including parks and beaches, with orders fulfilled within 15 minutes. The pilot will start test flights in Centerville, Ohio, with customer deliveries expected this spring, alongside a second pilot planned for Ralphs in California during summer.

Federman & Sherwood has launched an investigation into The Kroger Co. over a data breach impacting current and former employees. The company claims to have learned of the breach on January 23, 2021, but the incident reportedly occurred in December 2020. Kroger utilized Acellion for secure file transfers, exposing sensitive personal information, including names, email addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and salary details. This breach raises serious concerns about the company's data security practices.

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.