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☆ Ron DeSantis is quiet about his Catholic faith, but it could be his secret weapon to court voters away from Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Tiffany Stanley | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Ron DeSantis rarely mentions the specifics of his religion, faith, or practice of it. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during the Project Opioid conference at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando on Aug. 20, 2019. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey stand during the Pledge of Allegiance at a campaign event, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey, bow their heads during a prayer at a campaign event, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Clive, Iowa.

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☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

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.

☆ Inside Ken Griffin's rise to one of Wall Street's most powerful people, and why politics could be next
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

JB and I are not on speaking terms these days," said Ken Griffin, the billionaire hedge-fund manager, referring to JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois. As Florida rolled back pandemic restrictions more quickly than Chicago, even more Citadel employees migrated south. Ken Griffin's hedge fund has had a run of eye-popping returns since 2020. Others worry that it gives Griffin's hedge fund an unfair advantage. Hundreds of Citadel employees, partners, and families gathered at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida.

☆ Here are the states where egg prices have doubled — and the lucky few where they've risen by just 50%, according to new data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Alex Bitter | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Egg prices in some states doubled in December, compared with the same month in 2021, according to data from Instacart. Even so, the highest prices for a dozen eggs were in other states, such as Hawaii and Florida. Egg prices increased the most in upper Midwestern states year-over-year in December, according to Instacart. In 2019, chickens on its farms produced just over 17 billion eggs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite the increases, states like Iowa still had some of the lowest egg prices in the US.

☆ Our expectation is that inflation will be higher early in the year, says Kroger CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | 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 EmailOur expectation is that inflation will be higher early in the year, says Kroger CEOKroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Closing Bell' to discuss food inflation and how it's impacting customers' buying habits at the grocery store.

[1/2] Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing Vice President Ihssane Mounir attends a news conference at the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France June 20, 2019. Ihssane Mounir has been named senior vice president of global supply chain, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Stan Deal said in an email to employees. Mounir was previously senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing. Among other moves, Deal said Brad McMullen, vice president of commercial sales North America, would succeed Mounir in his sales position while Kim Smith was named to the new role of vice president of Boeing Global Services (BGS) Total Quality. Deal told reporters last week that Boeing faces a number of supply-chain issues.

☆ Boeing commercial airplane unit names new supply chain, sales execs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Boeing (BA.N) Commercial Airplanes told employees on Tuesday it was tapping its sales chief to oversee supply chain issues as part of a number of executive moves. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal said in an email to employees seen by Reuters that Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president commercial sales and marketing, has been named senior vice president of global supply chain. Among other moves, Deal said Brad McMullen, vice president commercial sales North America, will succeed Mounir in his sales position while Kim Smith, vice president and general manager 747 and 767, was named vice president Boeing Global Services (BGS) Total Quality, a new role at Boeing. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Even as inflation persists, there are some bright spots where high prices are easing, Walmart's CEO said Tuesday. Toys, clothing, and sports equipment categories are all seeing prices come down, Doug McMillon told CNBC. “In toys, sporting goods, apparel, and categories like that, prices have come down more aggressively,” McMillon said in the interview. The categories are all ones in which big-box retailers placed large backlogs of orders as the pandemic set in. In the same interview on Tuesday, Walmart's McMillon warned that some grocery prices are still rising, including chicken and some dry goods.

☆ Kroger receives FTC request for additional information on Albertsons deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Kroger Co (KR.N) said on Tuesday it received a request for additional information from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission as part of the regulatory review process for its planned $25 billion merger with Albertsons Companies Inc (ACI.N). The deal, which was announced in mid-October, has drawn fire from lawmakers and consumer groups amid concerns the tie-up of the No. 1 and 2 standalone grocers in the United States could boost already-high food prices and stifle competition. The request from FTC extends the required waiting period until 30 days after the companies have "substantially complied" with the requests, Kroger said. The company added it still expects to complete the deal in early 2024.

☆ Walmart CEO: Inflation on toys, clothing and sports equipment is easing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN Business —Finally, shoppers are getting some good news about prices: Inflation is falling on discretionary merchandise just in time for the holidays, Walmart chief Doug McMillon said Tuesday. “In toys, sporting goods, apparel, categories like that, prices have come down more aggressively,” McMillon said in an interview on CNBC. Sporting goods were up 3%, while apparel was up 4.1%. McMillon said budget-conscious customers were most pressured by inflation, but other shoppers “have money to spend.”Kroger (KR)also said last week that food inflation was easing. “If you look at in our fresh departments, clearly, inflation is slowing down in many categories,” Kroger chief Rodney McMullen said on a call with analysts.

☆ Kroger hikes forecast after stronger grocery sales top estimates
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Kroger on Thursday raised its forecast for the year after stronger third-quarter sales topped Wall Street expectations and inflation continued to push up the prices shoppers pay for milk, eggs and other groceries. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said the company is attracting shoppers by offering value. At Kroger, identical sales rose 6.9%, excluding fuel, in the third quarter. For the full year, Kroger now anticipates adjusted net earnings to range from $4.05 to $4.15. Kroger announced in October that it plans buy its competitor, Albertsons , in a deal valued at $24.6 billion.

☆ CEOs from Kroger and Albertsons say they’re worried about competition from Amazon, but the e-commerce giant barely makes up 1% of US grocery sales
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons say their proposed merger will help them defend against Amazon. But Amazon's market share is a fraction of larger players, including both Kroger and Albertsons. But market share data suggests that a combined Kroger and Albertsons would be much larger by sales than Amazon the day the merger takes place. For all of its moves in grocery, Amazon commanded just 1.2% of sales, according to Euromonitor. The entire US grocery market represented $1.27 billion in sales last year, according to Euromonitor.

☆ Inflation is starting to stabilize in our fresh food departments, says Kroger CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | 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 EmailInflation is starting to stabilize in our fresh food departments, says Kroger CEORodney McMullen, Kroger CEO, joins 'Closing Bell' to discuss the state of the consumer relative to the company's raised guidance, if the pricing power tide is turning and if there's been any change to the adoption of e-commerce within grocery stores.

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Skeptical lawmakers from across the political spectrum questioned executives at grocers Kroger Co (KR.N) and Albertsons Companies Inc (ACI.N) on Tuesday about their planned $25 billion merger amid concerns the tie-up could boost already-high food prices. The deal will be reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission to ensure it is legal under antitrust law. Stores under the Albertsons umbrella include Balducci's, Haggen, Kings, Safeway, Star Market, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets and Vons, among others. The companies have also been criticized for a plan to give Albertsons' shareholders a $4 billion dividend payment. Senator Tom Cotton, a conservative Republican, criticized Kroger for the company's aprons with a design that appeared to support gay pride.

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Top executives at Kroger Co (KR.N) and Albertsons Companies Inc (ACI.N) on Tuesday defended their planned $25 billion merger before skeptical lawmakers who fear the deal would push up food prices at a time of high inflation. "A combined Kroger and Albertsons will remain at number four as we will continue to compete with these companies to sell groceries. Those same three competitors have nearly three times the share of grocery sales of Kroger and Albertsons combined," he said, according to written remarks. In that case, the companies were forced to sell 168 stores to ensure that competition would remain fierce and prices would not rise. The companies have also been criticized for a plan to give Albertsons' shareholders a $4 billion dividend payment.

☆ Kroger, Albertsons Expected to Defend Grocery Merger at Senate Hearing
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jaewon Kang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

An Atlanta store operated by Kroger, the largest U.S. supermarket chain by sales. Chief executives of the two largest U.S. supermarket chains are set to testify Tuesday at a Senate subcommittee hearing, where they are expected to defend their companies’ proposed $20 billion merger and address questions about how it could affect American grocers and consumers. Kroger Co. CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons Cos. CEO Vivek Sankaran are expected to testify before the Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights, led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah).

☆ Albertsons, Kroger CEOs to defend $25 bln merger to skeptical U.S. senators
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Top executives at Kroger Co (KR.N) and Albertsons Companies Inc (ACI.N) are expected to face tough questions on Tuesday from lawmakers who worry the grocers' planned $25 billion merger will push up food prices at a time when inflation is a concern. Kroger Chief Executive Rodney McMullen and Albertsons' chief, Vivek Sankaran, will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, some of whose members have already criticized the deal. Senators Amy Klobuchar, chair of the Senate antitrust panel, and Richard Blumenthal were among those who signed a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, saying the merger "raises considerable antitrust concerns." Ideally, they would like to find buyers for the facilities but could also put them into a new company that would be owned by Albertsons' shareholders. The companies may also draw fire on Tuesday for a widely criticized plan to give Albertsons' shareholders a $4 billion dividend payment.

☆ Kroger, Albertsons CEOs defend grocery tie-up, say deal won't hurt competition
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The battle over whether grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons should be allowed to combine is heating up. "I just don't see less competition going forward," Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said at the hearing by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights. Kroger announced plans in October to acquire Albertsons in a deal valued at $24.6 billion. They emphasized that the proposed deal comes at a time when groceries are taking up more of American families' budgets. Food prices have surged as inflation hovers near four-decade highs.

The hearing was called by Klobuchar along with Senator Mike Lee, the top Republican on an antitrust panel of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "The hearing will examine the impact of the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons, the two largest grocery chains in the country," the statement said. The FTC is expected to aggressively review the deal to ensure it complies with antitrust law. While the two are the largest standalone grocers, Walmart is the market leader. Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Four local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International told Reuters they are assessing their options for lobbying and coordinated action against the deal, including potential strikes. Bryan Doherty, a spokesperson for the UFCW International, told Reuters it plans to request more information from the retailers about possible store closures and layoffs. On Monday afternoon, representatives of UFCW International met with nearly 100 local UFCW chapters on Zoom to discuss the merger and their collective response to it. Workers told Reuters that Kroger has not yet held conversations with the union to discuss the merger. Albertsons reached out to the union, offering to "keep lines of communication open," Mark Federici, president of UFCW local 400, told Reuters.

☆ What would a Kroger-Albertsons merger mean for grocery prices?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A Kroger-Albertsons merger could reshape the grocery industry. The companies say they will divest hundreds of stores in areas where they overlap to win regulatory approval. Albertsons has higher prices than Kroger and other grocers, analysts say, and they predict Kroger will try to reduce Albertsons prices to be more competitive against discount chains like Aldi. Antitrust advocates say the merger would force out competition and concentrate power among the largest chains, driving up prices. A Kroger-Albertsons merger would spark a fresh wave of mergers and acquisitions as companies seek to keep up, analysts predict.

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