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CINCINNATI — Despite recording an increase in total and identical-store sales during fourth quarter 2011, Kroger reported a net loss due to costs associated with consolidating its pension plan for union workers.

The grocer, whose banners include Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, said the loss of of $306.9 million, or 54 cents per share, compared with a profit of $278.8 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales in the quarter rose 7.7% to $21.4 billion. Excluding fuel, sales rose 5%. Same-store sales increased 4.9% (excluding fuel).

SUNBURY, Pa. — The board of directors at Weis Markets declared a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share, the retailer said Thursday.

The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of Feb. 13, and payable on Feb. 27, Weis said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday declared a regular quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share, a 28.6% increase over the year-ago dividend. The dividend is payable March 12, 2012, to shareholders of record Feb. 17, 2012.

Walgreens has paid a dividend in 317 straight quarters (more than 79 years) and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. Over the last five years, Walgreens' annual dividend rate has increased from 31 cents per share to 90 cents per share, resulting in a compound annual growth rate of 23.8%.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets' board of directors on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend of 30 cents to.

In addition to the 30-cent dividend, the board also offered a special one-time dividend valued at $1 per share as a reward to shareholders, Weis chairman Robert Weis said. The special dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of Nov. 7 and payable on Nov. 12.

Weis added that the company's $100 million 2011 capital expansion plan is 75% complete.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble chairman, president and CEO Bob McDonald acknowledged during the company's annual meeting on Tuesday that P&G has “work left to do to deliver the growth” shareholders expect but stressed that the company is making solid progress in fiscal year 2011 despite business and economic challenges.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — The board of directors for supermarket chain Safeway declared a quarterly cash dividend of 14.5 cents per share.

The cash dividend is payable on Oct. 13 to stockholders of record on Sept. 22.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The board of directors of Walgreens on Wednesday increased the quarterly dividend 28.6% — the largest quarterly dividend increase in the company's 110-year history — to 22.5 cents per share from the previous rate of 17.5 cents per share.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share.

The dividend is payable Aug. 2 to holders of record on July 22, the company noted.

CINCINNATI — Kroger CEO David Dillon said the company will continue to focus on customer loyalty, after reporting last week that it saw identical-store sales increase for 30 consecutive quarters.

During its shareholders meeting on Thursday, Dillon said the company will build its future growth around its Customer 1st strategy, which emphasizes "[our] people, products, prices and the shopping experience."

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart's board of directors has approved a new program authorizing the company to repurchase $15 billion of its shares, the company announced at its 41st annual meeting of shareholders Friday.

This program replaces the previous $15 billion program, announced on June 4, 2010, that had approximately $2 billion of remaining authorization. Under the program, repurchased shares are retired constructively and returned to unissued status.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Healthcare services company Cardinal Health announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the company's quarterly dividend to 21.5 cents per share, or 86 cents per share on an annualized basis.

The declared dividend marks a 10% increase above what the company has paid out since July 2010, and also marks the 107th consecutive regular quarterly dividend for Cardinal Health.

The regular quarterly dividend is payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 1.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Wholesaler Costco on Tuesday said its board of directors has approved a $4 billion share buyback program. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 17% to 24 cents, up from 20.5 cents.

The share buyback program expires in April 2015 and replaces a previous plan set to expire in July, which had $800 million remaining, the company said.