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January 23, 2012
Four-legged family members can reap Rx benefits at Houston-area Kroger stores

Pet medications now are available at all Kroger pharmacies in the Houston area, the company said.

HOUSTON — Pet medications now are available at all Kroger pharmacies in the Houston area, the company said.

Customers with four-legged family members now can pick up their pets' prescriptions at the pharmacy counter. Popular medications, such as Frontline Plus and Rimadyl Chewables, are available, as well as $4 and $10 generic medications.

January 23, 2012
Kroger declares quarterly dividend

Kroger's board of directors on Friday declared a quarterly dividend of 11.5 cents per share.

CINCINNATI — Kroger's board of directors on Friday declared a quarterly dividend of 11.5 cents per share.

The dividend will be paid March 1 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Feb. 15.

January 23, 2012
Six pharmacy retailers recognized for diversity business opportunities

Walmart ranked No. 1 out of six retail pharmacy operators who were identified as part of the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities" by DiversityBusiness.com last week. Other pharmacy retailers on the list included, in order, Kroger, Supervalu, Target, Walgreens and Ahold USA.

SOUTHPORT, Conn. — Walmart ranked No. 1 out of six retail pharmacy operators who were identified as part of the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities" by DiversityBusiness.com last week. Other pharmacy retailers on the list included, in order, Kroger, Supervalu, Target, Walgreens and Ahold USA.

January 20, 2012
Bottom Dollar Food announces opening dates for stores in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Ohio, markets

Bottom Dollar Food announced grand opening dates for its first 14 stores in the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets, with its first seven stores opening on Jan. 26. Seven additional stores will open on Feb. 9.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Bottom Dollar Food announced grand opening dates for its first 14 stores in the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets, with its first seven stores opening on Jan. 26. Seven additional stores will open on Feb. 9.

January 20, 2012
Lawrence Benjamin named SymphonyIRI chairman

SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday identified the executives sitting on its new board of directors, including the naming of Lawrence Benjamin as chairman.

CHICAGO — SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday identified the executives sitting on its new board of directors, including the naming of Lawrence Benjamin as chairman.

A 25-year veteran, Benjamin most recently held several executive positions at Royal Ahold, including CEO of U.S. foodservice, COO of Ahold's U.S. retail businesses, EVP and a seat on the company's global board. Previously, he was CEO for NutraSweet and president of the frozen meals division of Kraft. Benjamin currently is a senior adviser at New Mountain Capital.

January 4, 2012
Report: Retail utilization of FSI promotional vehicle up; overall FSI utilization down

Despite an overall decrease in free standing insert coupon activity, retailer promotion pages within the FSI vehicles recorded a 30.7% increase to more than 17 billion pages in 2011, continuing the significant annual increases in retailer promotion activity, which began in 2007, Kantar Media reported Wednesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Despite an overall decrease in free standing insert coupon activity, retailer promotion pages within the FSI vehicles recorded a 30.7% increase to more than 17 billion pages in 2011, continuing the significant annual increases in retailer promotion activity, which began in 2007, Kantar Media reported Wednesday.

Overall, the number of free-standing insert coupons distributed through 2011 dropped 6.5% compared with 2010. This decline in FSI coupon activity followed two consecutive years of annual increases of 8% in 2009 and 7.2% in 2010.

December 15, 2011
Kroger merges four pension funds

Kroger on Thursday announced that four of the UFCW/multi-employer pension funds to which the company contributes will merge into a new fund, effective Jan. 1. This new arrangement is expected to reduce Kroger's annual pension contribution expense and will secure the pension benefits of more than 65,000 Kroger associates.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced that four of the UFCW/multi-employer pension funds to which the company contributes will merge into a new fund, effective Jan. 1. This new arrangement is expected to reduce Kroger's annual pension contribution expense and will secure the pension benefits of more than 65,000 Kroger associates.

December 5, 2011
Suppliers’ views on working with Walmart

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


(To view the full results of the Walmart Supplier Survey, click here.)

December 2, 2011
Ralphs commences hunger donation campaign

Kroger banner Ralphs has kicked off its annual hunger donation campaign at its stores.

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banner Ralphs has kicked off its annual hunger donation campaign at its stores.

Through Dec. 31, customers may purchase $1, $3 and $5 hunger donation cards to benefit their local Feeding America affiliate in Southern California. The program is part of Ralphs' "Bringing Hope to the Table" initiative, which works to reduce hunger in communities across the region.

December 2, 2011
Six retailers charge Wyeth, Teva with unlawfully delaying generic Effexor XR

Six retailers on Wednesday filed suit naming Wyeth and Teva Pharmaceuticals as defendants and alleging that the defendants unlawfully delayed the entry of generic versions of Wyeth's antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine).

TRENTON, N.J. — Six retailers on Wednesday filed suit naming Wyeth and Teva Pharmaceuticals as defendants and alleging that the defendants unlawfully delayed the entry of generic versions of Wyeth's antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine). A summons was issued to Wyeth and Teva on Thursday.

The retailers include Ahold USA, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu and Walgreens. The companies are suing for three-times damages plus attorneys fees.

Wyeth was acquired by Pfizer in October 2009.

December 1, 2011
Crossmark to acquire NCiM, creating largest in-store marketing services company in North America

Crossmark, a sales and marketing services company in the consumer goods industry, is acquiring New Concepts in Marketing, a move that will add to Crossmark’s events and shopper marketing capabilities and create the largest in-store marketing services company in North America.
 


PLANO, Texas — Crossmark, a sales and marketing services company in the consumer goods industry, is acquiring New Concepts in Marketing, a move that will add to Crossmark’s events and shopper marketing capabilities and create the largest in-store marketing services company in North America.
 


December 1, 2011
Kroger posts 32 consecutive quarters of comp sales gains; increases outlook for year

Kroger posted its 32nd consecutive same-store sales gains as the grocer continues to grab market share due to a combination of a customer service initiative and value pricing.

CINCINNATI — Kroger posted its 32nd consecutive same-store sales gains as the grocer continues to grab market share due to a combination of a customer service initiative and value pricing.

November 29, 2011
Kroger hosts annual Red Kettle campaign

Kroger announced that it once again will support the Salvation Army by kicking off its annual Red Kettle campaign.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it once again will support The Salvation Army by kicking off its annual Red Kettle campaign.

"Through the familiar Red Kettles, our customers and associates are able to make small donations that, added together, make a big difference for local families and individuals," Kroger group VP corporate affairs Lynn Marmer said. "We value our long-standing partnership with The Salvation Army and the impact this campaign has for our neighbors in need."

November 7, 2011
Conversocial tallies consumer complaint social media scorecard for U.S. retailers

A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

NEW YORK — A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

November 4, 2011
Food 4 Less, Ralphs launch campaign to support local food banks

Food 4 Less and Ralphs Grocery announced that they are inviting customers to help support local food banks and families in need through a special fundraising campaign that kicks off Nov. 6.

LOS ANGELES — Food 4 Less and Ralphs Grocery announced that they are inviting customers to help support local food banks and families in need through a special fundraising campaign that kicks off Nov. 6. In addition, Food 4 Less' Foods Co. division also is collecting donations for food banks in central and northern California.

November 4, 2011
South of France Natural Body Care launches social media campaign, gains shelf space at mass

South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

November 3, 2011
Kroger, DSI extend agreement

An in-store magazine merchandising and marketing company has signed a new front-end checkout reset agreement with Kroger.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — An in-store magazine merchandising and marketing company has signed a new front-end checkout reset agreement with Kroger.

Distribution Services said it will continue providing installation services for Kroger's front-end checkout fixture initiatives through December 2012. DSI has provided full front-end merchandiser reset services to Kroger for the past six years.

November 1, 2011
Kroger's streamlined checkout process to be introduced in Ohio

Cincinnati's ABC affiliate station on Monday featured Kroger's Scan-Bag-Go system, a handheld device that customers use to scan bar codes as they shop.

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati's ABC affiliate station on Monday featured Kroger's Scan-Bag-Go system, a handheld device that customers use to scan bar codes as they shop. The device keeps a running tally of the purchase, and reduces the checkout process to a matter of seconds.

October 31, 2011
Kroger to make record investment in new Virginia store

Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland Southeast said it broke ground Friday on Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area’s newest multi-use development, Stonebridge, which will include a 123,600-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace grocery store that will be the region's largest — and the company's most expensive — to date.

RICHMOND, Va. — Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland Southeast said it broke ground Friday on Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area’s newest multi-use development, Stonebridge, which will include a 123,600-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace grocery store that will be the region's largest — and the company's most expensive — to date.

October 24, 2011
Kroger discontinues needle-free flu vaccine offering

Kroger has discontinued offering needle-free clinical devices to administer flu vaccinations at all pharmacies and The Little Clinic locations.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has discontinued offering needle-free clinical devices to administer flu vaccinations at all pharmacies and The Little Clinic locations.

Kroger said that its decision was based on guidance from the Food and Drug Administration that advised healthcare professionals not to use needle-free clinical devices to administer flu shots.

Kroger said it is seeking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA regarding revaccinations.

October 12, 2011
NEW elects five new board members

The Network of Executive Women has elected five new members at large to its board of directors.

CHICAGO — The Network of Executive Women has elected five new members at large to its board of directors.

New board members are Mike Byron, president of supplier diversity for Supervalu; Sarah Chartrand, SVP diversity, talent management and organizational development for Ahold USA; Marnette Perry, SVP Kroger; Suzanne Sears, VP global market development at Kimberly-Clark; and Karen Stuckey, SVP merchandising and general merchandise manager of the home division for Walmart Stores.

October 7, 2011
Kroger installs Avery Weigh-Tronix Eyecon pharmacy automation machines

Kroger is installing Avery Weigh-Tronix's tabletop pharmacy automation systems in its stores, Avery said.

LIVONIA, Mich. — Kroger is installing Avery Weigh-Tronix's tabletop pharmacy automation systems in its stores, Avery said.

October 7, 2011
Kroger raises $1.5 million to support USO

Kroger announced that its annual Honoring Our Heroes fundraising campaign to support the United Service Organizations garnered $1.5 million.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that its annual Honoring Our Heroes fundraising campaign to support the United Service Organizations garnered $1.5 million.

The funds were raised in partnership with customers and associates through a variety of in-store activities at Kroger stores nationwide, as well as online at HonoringOurHeroes.com. Procter & Gamble and Anheuser Busch also participated in the program and contributed $250,000 each in conjunction with special sales programs in Kroger stores.

September 28, 2011
Study: Supermarket pharmacies could benefit from drug patent expiries

Supermarket pharmacies could see a slight rise in gross profits next year as branded drugs lose patent protection and go generic, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.

NEW YORK — Supermarket pharmacies could see a slight rise in gross profits next year as branded drugs lose patent protection and go generic, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.

September 26, 2011
Kroger features employee breast cancer survivors in new campaign

Kroger has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the grocer announced Monday.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the grocer announced Monday.

"We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health."