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☆ Grocers are trying to get orders to your door faster than ever — here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Walmart expanded its same-day delivery offering to allow shoppers to get online purchases dropped off earlier in the morning. With same-day deliveries, the three retailers are not only trying to outmatch one another on convenience. With Target's announcement this week, Walmart, Target and Kroger will all have paid membership programs with home deliveries as one of the benefits. Kroger has used online delivery to break into new regions of the country, including Florida, without opening a single grocery store. Walmart and Target both beat Wall Street's sales expectations for the holiday quarter, but said shoppers are still very value-focused.

Persons: Kroger, Michael Baker, Davidson, Davidson's Baker, John David Rainey, Rodney McMullen, That's, McMullen, We've Organizations: Target, Walmart, D.A, Kroger, Costco, Albertsons, FTC, Wall Locations: U.S, Florida

☆ Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen on FTC lawsuit: We were disappointed but not surprised
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger CEO Rodney McMullen on FTC lawsuit: We were disappointed but not surprisedRodney McMullen, Kroger CEO, joins 'Money Movers' to discuss the FTC's lawsuit against Kroger and Albertson's proposed merger, why the merger wouldn't raise prices for consumers, and the core of the FTC's argument.

Persons: Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Albertson's Organizations: Kroger

☆ US government sues to block largest supermarket merger in history
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The Federal Trade Commission on Monday sued to block the $25 billion deal between Kroger and Albertsons, alleging the largest supermarket merger in US history would lead to higher prices for consumers. The merger, announced in 2022, sought to combine the fifth and tenth largest retailers in the country. “This supermarket mega merger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years. With the FTC’s blessing, Haggen, a small supermarket chain in the Northwest with just 18 locations, bought 146 of the former Albertsons and Safeway stores. She criticized the FTC’s handling of Albertsons’ deal with Safeway, pointing to it as a prime example of the limitations of divestitures.

Persons: Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Henry Liu, Piggly, Khan, Lina Khan, Haggen, ” Khan, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FTC, Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Competition, S Wholesale Grocers, Democrats, Republicans, Capitol Locations: New York, United States, Aldi, FTC’s, Northwest

☆ FTC sues to block Kroger, Albertsons merger, arguing deal would raise grocery prices and hurt workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"Essential grocery store workers would also suffer under this deal, facing the threat of their wages dwindling, benefits diminishing, and their working conditions deteriorating." Kroger said in a statement that blocking the deal "will actually harm the very people the FTC purports to serve: America's consumers and workers." The company also pledged $500 million to reduce prices for customers and $1 billion to raise employee wages and expand benefits. Two unions that represent Kroger and Albertsons employees, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and the Teamsters union, opposed the deal. Higher grocery prices have irked consumers and become a hot topic on the campaign trail.

Persons: Henry Liu, Kroger, Albertsons, Biden, Joe Biden, Rodney McMullen Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Kroger, Albertsons, FTC, Washington D.C, Walmart, Amazon, Costco, White, United Food, Commercial Workers International Union, Teamsters Locations: Arizona , California, Washington, , Illinois, Maryland , Nevada , New Mexico , Oregon, Wyoming, FTC's

☆ Proposed Kroger, Albertsons merger will take more time to close as scrutiny continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Supermarket chain Kroger's proposed acquisition of rival Albertsons is now expected to close in the first half of Kroger's fiscal year 2024 instead of early this year. Kroger, Albertsons and C&S Wholesale Grocers said they are in "active and ongoing dialogue" with the Federal Trade Commission and individual state attorneys general, according to the joint statement. In a bid to close the proposed $24.6 billion deal, Kroger agreed in September to divest 413 stores and eight distribution centers to C&S for $1.9 billion. With regulatory approval, the merger may require C&S to purchase an additional 237 stores from Kroger and Albertsons, Kroger said last year. Washington state's attorney general filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block the proposed merger, calling it "harmful" for shoppers and workers.

Persons: Rodney McMullen, Kroger, —, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez Organizations: Albertsons, Antitrust, Consumer, Capitol, S Wholesale Grocers, Federal Trade Commission, Kroger, Safeway, Acme, Washington, & $ Locations: Washington, Sens, Alexandria

☆ We just got the clearest sign yet that grocery price increases are slowing down
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Food inflation is slowing down heading into 2024, according to the largest supermarket chain in the US. Executives at Kroger said they expect food inflation "in the low single-digits'" in the new year. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Food inflation peaked over the last two years in June 2022, when federal data showed prices rising 9%. Walmart is also expecting relief from food inflation, CEO Doug McMillon said earlier this month.

Persons: —, Gary Millerchip, Kroger, Millerchip, Rodney McMullen, Doug McMillon Organizations: US, Kroger, Service, Bank of America, Walmart Locations: Nashville , Tennessee

☆ Kroger CEO: We continue to expect 'slight inflation' in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger CEO: We continue to expect 'slight inflation' in 2024Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss what led McMullen to downgrade Kroger's expectations on sales growth, any big changes in consumer behavior during the quarter, and more.

Persons: Rodney McMullen, McMullen Organizations: Kroger

☆ Slowing inflation is dragging on Kroger sales, even as consumers still feel a pinch
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

But it has created risk that customers could turn to retailers known for lower food prices, such as Walmart, Aldi or Dollar General . Kroger reaffirmed its full-year guidance, saying it expects identical sales excluding fuel to range between 1% and 2%. In an earnings release, he said the grocer expects inflation to "continue to decelerate" and expects a tougher backdrop for consumers in the months ahead. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said on an earnings call that slowing inflation could lift sales in another way. He said Kroger has stepped up security and added new tech to try to fight crime, but said Kroger expects the theft trends "will continue to be a challenge for the remainder of the year."

Persons: Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, Gary Millerchip, Rodney McMullen, McMullen, Millerchip Organizations: Kroger, LSEG, Target, Walmart, Aldi, Express, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Albertsons, S Wholesale Grocers, Grand Union Locations: U.S, Florida, Washington ,

☆ Kroger settles $1.2 billion opioid claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger settles $1.2 billion opioid claimsKroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss the sales miss in its earnings report, Kroger agreeing to pay $1.2 billion in opioid settlement with Native American tribes, and the state of consumer spending on groceries.

Persons: Kroger, Rodney McMullen

All fuel centers and pharmacies associated with the divested stores will remain with the stores and continue to operate. Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, bid $20 billion for Albertsons. C&S, which was founded in 1918, is a supplier to independent grocery stores, supplying more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, retail chain stores and military bases. It currently runs Grand Union grocery stores and Piggly Wiggly franchise and corporate-owned stores in the Midwest and Carolinas. Shares of Kroger Co., based in Ohio, rose 5% Thursday and Albertsons Cos., based in Idaho, rose 3%.

Persons: Debi Lilly Design, Primo Taglio, Kroger, ” Kroger, Rodney McMullen Organizations: Kroger, Albertsons, S Wholesale Grocers, Waterfront Bistro, Walmart, Amazon, Aldi, Winn, Dixie, Federal Trade Commission, Union, Kroger Co, Albertsons Cos Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, Midwest, Carolinas, Ohio, Idaho

☆ Weight loss drugs boost sales at retail pharmacies, but they may not help profits much
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

George Frey | ReutersDrugmakers aren't the only ones feeling the impact of the weight loss industry gold rush. Retailers with pharmacy businesses, such as Walmart , Kroger and Rite Aid , said increased demand for prescription weight loss drugs helped boost sales for the second quarter. Are weight loss drugs profitable? A selection of injector pens for the Saxenda weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 31, 2023. For one, branded drugs don't directly compete with other medications because they have patent protections.

Persons: George Frey, Reuters Drugmakers, Arun Sundaram, it's, Elon Musk, Eli Lilly, Doug McMillon, Matthew Schroeder, Schroeder, Rodney McMullen, CFRA Research's Sundaram, Michael Lasser, Jim Vondruska, USC's Schaeffer Organizations: KR NOVO.B, Novo Nordisk, Pharmacy, Reuters, Walmart, Kroger, Rite, CFRA Research, CNBC, Nordisk, Elon, Pfizer, UBS, USC's, USC's Schaeffer Center for Health, Association Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, GLP, Chicago , Illinois

☆ Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen: Customers on a budget are shopping more frequently but spending less per trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger CEO Rodney McMullen: Customers on a budget are shopping more frequently but spending less per tripKroger CEO Rodney McMullen sit down with 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer to talk its merger with Albertsons, Kroger's Back to School campaign and more.

Persons: Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Jim Cramer Organizations: Albertsons

☆ Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen goes one-on-one with Jim Cramer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen goes one-on-one with Jim CramerKroger CEO Rodney McMullen sit down with 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer to talk its merger with Albertsons, Kroger's Back to School campaign and more.

Persons: Rodney McMullen, Jim Cramer Kroger, Jim Cramer Organizations: Albertsons

☆ Kroger CEO is confident about Albertson's deal despite FTC merger crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen discussed the company's proposed merger with rival grocery chain Albertson's with CNBC's Jim Cramer, saying he's confident about the deal despite the Federal Trade Commission's recent crackdown on mergers. The rival grocers announced their plans to merge in October, proposing a $24.6 billion deal. McMullen said he thinks the government will approve the merger, saying it will only benefit customers and employees. The merger would allow the companies to capture nearly 16% of the U.S. grocery market, according to market researcher Numerator. Kroger is currently the second-largest grocer by market share in the United States, behind Walmart , and Albertsons is fourth, after Costco, Numerator also shows.

Persons: Rodney McMullen, CNBC's Jim Cramer, McMullen, We've, we'll Organizations: Federal Trade, Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, Costco Locations: United States

☆ Bomb threats demanding ransom payments are a new headache for retailers including Walmart, Kroger and Whole Foods, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A spate of retailers have been hit by bomb threats in recent months, The Wall Street Journal reported. Retailers affected included Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods, the Journal reported. Walmart, Krogers, and Whole Foods stores across the country are among those targeted with threats and ransom demands this year. Whole Foods recently told managers to go over bomb threat protocols with employees, according to a memo seen by the newspaper. A group of Target stores across several states were evacuated earlier this month after bomb threats were sent to local news outlets.

Persons: —, Rodney McMullen, Kroger Organizations: Street Journal, Walmart, Kroger, Foods, Service, America's, Meijer, Apple, FBI Locations: Chicago, bitcoin, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Grafton , Wisconsin, Grafton

☆ Companies without direct A.I. link try to ride the Wall Street craze
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A robot plays the piano at the Apsara Conference, a cloud computing and artificial intelligence conference, in China, on Oct. 19, 2021. The artificial intelligence craze has consumed Wall Street in 2023. The tool touts some impressive capabilities, and spurred an AI race with rival Google announcing it's own chat box - Bard AI - only a few months later. Now some with little to no historical ties to artificial intelligence have touted the technology on conference calls to analysts and investors. McMullen specifically pointed to how AI could help streamline customer surveys and help Kroger take the data and implement it into stores at a more speedy clip.

Persons: OpenAI, Rodney McMullen, McMullen, Kroger Organizations: Apsara Conference, European, Google, Investors, Nvidia, Kroger Locations: China, European Union

Shares of the retailer, which had consistently raised its outlook over the past two years, fell 4.5% to $45.07 after the dull forecast. Last month, rival Walmart raised its annual forecasts as more Americans shopped for its lower-priced groceries and other essentials. However, Kroger's gross margins rose 21 basis points, compared to a fall a year earlier, benefiting from lower supply chain costs as well as its efforts to source some products closer to its distribution centers. It also profited from shoppers - including higher-income consumers looking for more economical options amid persistent inflation - preferring its store-label brands to pricier national brands. Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joseph Feldman, Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Kroger's McMullen, Arun Sundaram, Granth, Shinjini Organizations: Kroger, Investors, Walmart, Albertsons, CFRA, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Cava, Domino's Pizza, Kroger, Lennar and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Wall Street firm said it believes there will be "significant improvement" in the company's return on invested capital over the next two to three years. Domino's Pizza — The pizza chain gained 6.46% after Stifel upgraded the stock to buy from hold. The Wall Street firm said investors should buy the weakness in Target shares, which are down 15% over the past month. The Wall Street firm said it was bullish long term, but believes the stock price has been seeing appreciation much stronger than experienced in the broader market. The Wall Street firm also boosted its price target to $40 from $36, suggesting upside of more than 20% from Wednesday's close.

Persons: Kroger —, Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Bernstein, Lennar, Oppenheimer, Corning, John Wiley, Mizuho, Patterson, Morgan Stanley, Yun Li, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Sarah Min Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Cava Group, Deutsche Bank, Stifel, —, Technologies, Corning —, Citi, Corning, Management, UTI Energy, Patterson Locations: Wednesday's

☆ Kroger CEO: Food inflation is moderating
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger CEO: Food inflation is moderatingKroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss increased guidance for free cash flow, Kroger's latest earnings report, and the changing spending habits of low-income consumers.

Persons: Rodney McMullen Organizations: Kroger

☆ Shoppers on food stamps are buying less and going to food banks as benefits drop
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Kroger and other chains say customers on food assistance programs like SNAP are struggling as aid shrinks. “Budget-conscious households are buying fewer items, particularly as SNAP benefits declined during the quarter,” said Kroger (KR) CEO Rodney McMullen on an earnings call Thursday. Customers are “making significant modifications” such as buying a four-pack of an item instead of a 12-pack. The decrease came with the end of a Covid emergency policy that increased SNAP benefits to the maximum level for every recipient. Dollar Genera (DG)l, Dollar Tree (DLTR), Walmart (WMT) and other chains have also said recently that customers on food stamps are struggling most.

Persons: New York CNN — Kroger, ”, Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Jeffrey Owen, ” Owen Organizations: New, New York CNN, SNAP, KR, “, Budget, Walmart, Dollar, Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ Locations: New York, Washington, DC

☆ Kroger CEO reflects on how customer spending is adapting to current economic conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKroger CEO reflects on how customer spending is adapting to current economic conditionsKroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss customer spending changes, Kroger's effort to increase employee wages, and the regulatory response to Kroger's acquisition of Albertsons.

☆ Retailers see a tough year ahead, so they're rolling out the recession playbook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Now, major retailers are dusting off their playbook for a recession — or at least for a period of slower sales. Target shoppers can soon get a Starbucks coffee, make a return and retrieve an online purchases without leaving their cars. Some retailers are rethinking their approach to discounts while questioning other costs, such as giving away free shipping or deliveries without strings attached. Some retailers have also turned free shipping into a perk for only engaged or higher spending customers. Nike , for instance, offers free shipping for shoppers – if they share their personal data by joining its membership program.

☆ Senate Democrats urge Walmart, Costco, Albertsons and Kroger to sell abortion pill mifepristone
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Erin Hooley | Tribune News Service | Getty ImagesSenate Democrats called on Walmart , Costco , Albertsons and Kroger to sell the prescription abortion pill mifepristone and clearly let customers know how to get it at their pharmacies. The companies have not publicly stated yet whether they plan to sell mifepristone at their pharmacies. The 17 senators told Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran and Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen that they are frustrated the companies have not yet publicly indicated whether they will sell mifepristone. Major retailers in the U.S. have been thrust in the middle of the nation's deep divisions over abortion as they weigh whether to sell mifepristone. Walgreens has come under fire after it told the GOP attorneys general that it would not sell mifepristone in their states.

☆ Kroger's new payroll system resulted in workers receiving less pay than owed or no paycheck at all according to 4 lawsuits filed agains the grocery chain
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kroger employees say they were underpaid, or not paid at all, according to class-action lawsuits. A new payroll system known as "MyTime" or "MyInfo" is to blame, HR Dive reported. At least four class-action lawsuits claim that the system, implemented last year, resulted in workers receiving less pay than they were owed or no paycheck at all, industry publications HR Dive and Grocery Dive reported. "For example, Kroger employees have been forced to work second jobs, or take on high-interest and risky payday loans in order to meet daily expenses," according to the complaint. Kroger is one of the major retailers that have promoted their efforts to pay workers more in recent weeks.

That surge in demand and limited supply contributed to higher prices. But diners will likely still pay higher menu prices than they were last year. Dutch Bros. Coffee CEO Joth Ricci told CNBC that most coffee businesses hedge their prices six to 12 months in advance. However, Zandi said, if the job market remains strong, inflation eases and wages grow, Americans can better manage higher prices for airfare and other items. Several hot pandemic items, including TVs, computers, sporting goods and major appliances have dropped in price, according to Labor Department data from December.

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