Welcome to our dedicated page for Kroger news (Ticker: KR), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Kroger stock.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) generates a steady flow of news that reflects its role as a large U.S. grocery retailer and digital food platform. Company announcements span grocery merchandising, health and wellness, digital innovation, partnerships, and community impact, giving investors and customers insight into how Kroger evolves its business and serves shoppers.
Recent news highlights include seasonal product launches under Kroger’s Our Brands portfolio, such as the Private Selection Harvest Apple collection, which showcases limited-edition fall flavors across beverages, snacks, and bakery items. Kroger also shares annual food trend predictions developed by its food experts, connecting emerging customer preferences to specific products in its exclusive brands.
Kroger Health and The Little Clinic are frequent subjects of updates, including vaccination campaigns that offer savings incentives for customers who receive flu and other vaccines at Kroger pharmacies or clinics. These stories illustrate how the company integrates healthcare services and the "food as medicine" concept into the grocery experience.
On the digital front, Kroger news covers partnerships and technology initiatives, such as the nationwide launch of thousands of Kroger Family of Companies locations on Uber Eats, Uber, and Postmates for on-demand grocery delivery. The company also reports on its expanded relationship with Google Cloud, where it plans to use Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience to power an AI-based shopping and meal assistant.
Corporate updates include leadership changes, the sale of non-core assets like Vitacost.com, and programs aimed at affordability and food access, such as the Verified Savings Program and Yearly Checkout savings summaries. For anyone tracking KR, this news feed offers a consolidated view of how Kroger manages merchandising, health, technology, and community initiatives over time.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced the retirement of Mike Donnelly, executive vice president and COO, effective later this spring after 42 years of service. His leadership has emphasized customer experience, including fresh foods and reliable service. Donnelly's career at Kroger included various roles since joining as a clerk in 1978. A succession plan will be revealed later. Kroger, which serves over 11 million customers daily, remains committed to its purpose of feeding the human spirit and aims to create #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
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The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) confirmed a data security incident involving Accellion, Inc., affecting certain files accessed through their services. Kroger reported that less than 1% of customers, primarily from Kroger Health and Money Services, were impacted, with no credit card or password data compromised. Following the breach, Kroger terminated its use of Accellion, notified federal law enforcement, and began an investigation. Affected individuals will be offered free credit monitoring.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) will host its fourth quarter 2020 earnings conference call on March 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Management will discuss financial and operational results for both the fourth quarter and the full year 2020. The presentation will be available online at ir.kroger.com, with a replay accessible at approximately 1 p.m. ET on the same day. Kroger aims to foster #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025, serving over 11 million customers daily across its brands.
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), introduced a new online COVID-19 vaccine scheduling tool designed to streamline appointment bookings. The tool can handle over 250,000 requests daily, allowing users to check eligibility and schedule both doses simultaneously. As of February 16, 2021, Kroger Health has administered over 380,000 vaccines across 25 states, with potential capacity to deliver 500,000 vaccines weekly. The initiative underscores Kroger's commitment to health safety and community service amidst the pandemic.
Kroger Health has announced plans to introduce the first smartphone-enabled, at-home Gauss COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kit, making it easier for patients nationwide to access testing. The kit, pending FDA Emergency Use Authorization, will allow users to perform tests using only a smartphone, eliminating the need for lab involvement. Gauss has produced 1.5 million tests, with a capacity of 30 million monthly. The test showcases a 93% positive agreement and a 99% negative agreement compared to authorized PCR tests. It will be available at 2,200 Kroger pharmacies and online.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced a one-time payment of $100 for associates fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This initiative aims to encourage vaccination among its workforce. Additionally, Kroger is investing $50 million to reward its associates, including $100 store credit and 1,000 fuel points for eligible employees. The company has invested over $1.5 billion in associate rewards and safety measures since March 2020 and continues to support health initiatives, including hiring more healthcare personnel to assist in vaccine distribution.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced a quarterly dividend of 18¢ per share to be paid on March 1, 2021, for shareholders on record by February 12, 2021. The dividend has grown at a double-digit compound annual growth rate since its reinstatement in 2006. Kroger's strategy focuses on using free cash flow for business reinvestment and returning capital to shareholders while maintaining an investment-grade credit rating. However, the ability to sustain and increase dividends is contingent upon anticipated free cash flow and operational outcomes, as stated in forward-looking comments.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has announced the election of Kevin Brown and Amanda Sourry to its board of directors, effective immediately, until the annual shareholder meeting in June 2021. Brown, with over twenty years at Dell Technologies, brings expertise in supply chain management, while Sourry, formerly the president of North America at Unilever, adds significant marketing experience in consumer packaged goods. The company also bids farewell to Bobby Shackouls, who retires after over 21 years of service on the board.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has announced the establishment of a Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) in Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with Ocado. This center, part of Kroger's strategy to enhance customer service through automation and efficient distribution, aims to create around 700 jobs over the next five years. The 200,000-square-foot facility will provide a high-tech solution for online grocery fulfillment and is expected to be operational within 24 months of breaking ground. This investment underscores Kroger's commitment to redefining the grocery shopping experience.