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.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia and Kroger Health have launched new Medicare Advantage plans for 2022 that cater to overall health and wellness needs. Eligible members will receive a Healthy Groceries Card with $75 monthly to purchase nutritious food at Kroger stores, along with an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance for health-related items. The collaboration aims to improve access to affordable healthcare and integrates nutrition into preventive care. The enrollment period for these plans runs from October 15 to December 7, 2021.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kroger Health have announced new Medicare Advantage plans for 2022, focusing on comprehensive health needs, including nutrition. Members in Kentucky can use a Healthy Groceries Card, loaded with up to $100 per month, at Kroger stores to buy healthy food. Additional benefits include a quarterly allowance for over-the-counter health items and access to 12 monthly sessions with a dietitian. Enrollment starts October 15, 2021, for eligible residents across six Kentucky counties.
Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced the expansion of its Kroger Delivery service with new fulfillment centers, powered by Ocado Group, aimed at enhancing grocery e-commerce. The new centers will operate in the Northeast, California, and Florida, offering same-day and next-day delivery. Kroger aims to double its digital sales and profitability by the end of 2023. The company emphasized its commitment to leveraging technology for customer satisfaction and increasing efficiency in operations.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is set to host its second nationwide hybrid hiring event on October 13, aiming to recruit 20,000 associates across various roles, including retail, e-commerce, and healthcare. This initiative comes as part of Kroger's preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The company highlights its commitment to competitive wages, with over $800 million invested in employee compensation and training in the past three years. Kroger also offers extensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement up to $21,000, health resources, and flexible scheduling.
The Kroger Co. Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen delivered the keynote address at Groceryshop in Las Vegas on September 22, 2021. He emphasized Kroger's commitment to integrating fresh offerings with digital advancements to enhance customer experience. Key insights included Kroger's intent to double its digital business by the end of 2023, a $350 million investment in associate wages, and their sustainable Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, which has donated 1.8 billion meals in four years. Kroger aims to evolve its operations while addressing changing consumer behaviors.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has declared a quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share, payable on December 1, 2021, to shareholders of record by November 15, 2021. This dividend reflects a consistent double-digit compound annual growth rate since its reinstatement in 2006. Kroger aims to utilize its free cash flow for business investments while returning capital to shareholders. The company anticipates increasing dividends over time, depending on board approval and future free cash flow generation.
Home Chef, the leading meal solutions company, launches a limited-edition product line featuring recipes hand-picked by U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson East, starting September 20. This collaboration introduces 12 Oven-Ready kits available online and two in-store kits at Kroger. The initiative marks the first celebrity athlete appearance in Home Chef's offerings, indicated by a 'Selected by Shawn' badge. Johnson emphasizes the convenience of oven-ready meals, designed for busy families, highlighting options like Margherita Chicken and Shrimp Tostadas. The partnership aims to provide fresh, easy meal solutions for time-strapped consumers.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has launched Kroger Delivery Now, a service offering 30-minute grocery delivery in partnership with Instacart. This service, available to 50 million households, features a selection of 25,000 items and is designed to enhance convenience without compromising on quality or price. Kroger aims to double its digital sales and profitability by the end of 2023, building on over $10 billion in e-commerce sales from the previous year. Instacart's Convenience Hub will assist in streamlining this service across major U.S. cities.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) reported its Q2 2021 results, revealing total sales of $31.7 billion, up from $30.5 billion year-over-year. However, identical sales, excluding fuel, fell 0.4%. Adjusted EPS increased to $0.80 from $0.73. Operating profit rose to $839 million, with a FIFO gross margin rate of 21.4% despite a 60 basis point decrease from last year. Kroger raised its full-year guidance, projecting adjusted EPS between $3.25 and $3.35. The company also declared a 17% dividend increase, marking 15 consecutive years of increases, and has repurchased $349 million in shares this quarter.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, outlining a new long-term ESG strategy focused on enhancing food systems and community support. Key achievements include directing over $301 million to hunger relief and administering millions of COVID-19 vaccines. The report emphasizes goals across three pillars: People, Planet, and Systems, with aims to direct 3 billion meals to communities by 2025 and significantly reduce emissions.