From the 8/23/05 Cincinnati Post:

 

 

Kroger adapted to market changes

By Alexander Coolidge

Post staff reporter

 

A glimpse at Kroger's 122-year history shows the grocer has evolved and adapted from its original format to become the nation's largest supermarket chain.

 

Barney Kroger started his first store in 1883 with $122 at 66 E. Pearl St. in Cincinnati and soon began advertising in newspapers as "B.H. Kroger's Tea and Grocery Stores." Merchandise featured in early advertisements included canned goods, buckwheat, candies, candles, coffee, soap, tobacco, cigars, evaporated apples and pears.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/BIZ/508230332/1001/RSS04

 

Kroger sizing up Albertson's

 

By Alexander Coolidge

Post staff reporter

 

The nation's second-largest supermarket chain is up for sale, but will the nation's largest - Cincinnati-based Kroger - be interested in buying it?

 

Industry analysts are skeptical that Kroger would be interested in buying all of Albertson's, the Boise, Idaho-based company, which announced Friday it was considering putting itself up for sale.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050903/BIZ/509030342/1001

It would be a great move to seize at the opportunity right now and crush Albertson's in it's largest markets, speed up the company's death.

Kroger growth spurt likely?

Potential buyer if Albertson's goes on sale

By John Eckberg

Enquirer staff writer

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

STORES

 

Kroger: 3,750 stores coast to coast, 535 of which have fuel centers.

 

Albertson's: 2,500 stores in 37 states, 235 of which have fuel centers.

 

 

E-mail [email protected]

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050907/BIZ01/509070312

"Kroger: 800 convenience stores under the brands Quik Stop and Kwik Shop."

 

I never new that those convenience stores were owned by Kroger.  Interesting.

 

From Reuters, 10/21/05:

 

 

Kroger bids on Albertsons

By Michael Flaherty and Jessica Hall

Fri Oct 21, 8:12 PM ET

 

NEW YORK/PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Albertsons Inc. has received a preliminary takeover bid from larger grocery store rival Kroger Co., while its drug store unit has attracted bids from three pharmacy chains, sources familiar with the situation said on Friday.

 

Albertsons put itself up for sale in September after struggling against competition from discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. In addition to its namesake grocery stores, Albertsons owns supermarkets including Acme and Shaws, as well as drugstores Osco Drug and Sav-on Drugs.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051022/bs_nm/retail_albertsons_dc;_ylt=AmppQ77TqiT.6BPkZar9GS2573QA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

 

A similar article by CNN:

Kroger making a bid for Albertsons?

Albertsons shares rise after sources tell Reuters the chain is being eyed by nation's top grocer.

October 21, 2005: 6:34 PM EDT

 

 

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Kroger Co., the largest U.S. grocery store, submitted a preliminary takeover bid for rival Albertsons Inc., competing against several private equity firms for the hand of the No. 2 U.S. grocer, sources familiar with the situation said Friday.

 

News that a bid was in the works sent Albertsons (up $1.29 to $24.06, Research) shares up 3.5 percent in after-hours trading on Inet Friday.

 

Albertsons put itself up for sale in September after struggling against competition from discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (up $0.12 to $45.72, Research)

 

Despite its struggles, Albertsons could fetch more than $10 billion, plus the assumption of $6.5 billion of debt, analysts said.

 

Kroger (down $0.01 to $19.80, Research) and Albertsons declined to comment.

 

 

 

From the 11/1/05 Enquirer:

 

 

PHOTO: Customer Fiona Lau leaves an Albertson's in San Francisco recently with a loaded cart. The supermarket chain has put itself up for sale.  The Associated Press/Paul Sakuma

 

How can Kroger not bid?

Analysts: Albertson's deal makes sense

By John Eckberg

Enquirer staff writer

 

As Wall Street waits for news about prospective buyers for the Albertson's grocery chain, one retail analyst from California is certain of one thing: Kroger will get in the game, if it hasn't already.

 

"They can't stand still," said George Whalin, president and chief executive of Retail Management Consultants, a retail-consulting firm based in San Marcos, Calif.

 

Whalin, author of "Retail Success" (Willoughby Press; 2001), sees the nation's grocery sector as an ever-changing retail landscape that was shocked when Wal-Mart brought supercenters and low prices to grocery shoppers in cities, suburbs and rural communities across the nation.

 

 

E-mail [email protected]

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051101/BIZ01/511010324/1076/rss01

 

Kroger is apparently out of the running.  They are also facing a lawsuit in California on their use of strikebreakers at Ralph's during the gorcery workers' strike.  No, not a banner day for Kroger.  From Reuters, 12/16/05:

 

 

Albertsons' shares rise as auction nears end

Fri Dec 16,12:28 PM ET

 

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Shares of Albertsons Inc. (NYSE:ABS - news) rose 1.8 percent on Friday as the auction of the No. 2 U.S. grocery-store chain appeared close to ending in a deal worth about $9.6 billion.

 

A bidding team including buyout firm Cerberus Capital, Kimco Realty Corp. and grocer Supervalu Inc. (NYSE:SVU - news) has had the highest offer on the table since late last week, offering more than Albertsons' current market value, sources familiar with the situation said.

 

Last week, CNBC reported that Cerberus offered $26 per share, or $9.6 billion, a figure repeated by The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051216/bs_nm/retail_albertsons_dc;_ylt=AsStYiAyEvsboBAkjMOw3nCyBhIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

 

Deal over.  From the 1/23/06 Cincinnati Business Courier:

 

 

Bigg's parent Supervalu, others to buy Albertson's

 

After about two months of tumultuous negotiations, the board of Albertson's Inc. confirmed it will sell to a consortium that includes Minneapolis wholesaler and retailer Supervalu Inc. for a total of $17.4 billion.

 

SuperValu is the parent company for Bigg's grocery stores, which operates 12 locations in Greater Cincinnati.

 

The purchasing consortium consists of Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu; CVS Corp. of Woonsocket, R.I.; New York-based investment fund Cerberus Capital Management and Hyde Park, N.Y.-based real estate investment company Kimco Realty.

 

© 2006 American City Business Journals Inc.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/01/23/daily7.html?from_rss=1

 

From the 2/22/06 Enquirer:

 

 

Kroger moving up to 500 from city to Blue Ash

BY JOHN ECKBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Kroger Co. has bought a Blue Ash office building from Procter & Gamble Co. and intends to move up to 500 employees there in an effort to relieve overcrowding at its Vine Street headquarters.

 

Kroger spokeswoman Lynn Marmer said the move would not violate a 2003 agreement Kroger made with Cincinnati City Council to maintain 1,200 jobs in the city, create 275 new jobs by 2010 and encourage vendors to bring 100 jobs downtown.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060222/BIZ01/602220326/1076/rss01

 

Saturday, August 30, 2003

 

Kroger: New garage or we go

Company feels council might renege

 

By Randy Tucker and Kevin Aldridge

The Cincinnati Enquirer

 

Kroger Co. said Friday that it has secured a site outside Cincinnati where it would move its downtown headquarters and staff of 1,200 workers if City Council votes against a proposed parking garage for the company.

 

 

I feel more and more that Kroger is an evil company....they dont feel that the city appreciates them.  Well tell me how to they appreciate the city.

 

Is it by:

-reluctantly remodling and operating their original store in a neighborhood that desperately needs it (OTR).

 

-withholding former big box properties to prevent competition from moving into their 'territory'...thus leaving concrete ghost towns throughout the city.

 

-demanding the construction of a parking garage (with city $) in a convinient location to their bldg. downtown, with no intention on complementing OTR architecturally or contextually.

                    *this $, by the way, was earmarked for OTR revitalization projects...not gentrification projects*

 

 

***Please tell me Kroger who doesnt show appreciation to who?***

^ Don't forget about the Kroger Card.  Just what I need - another card to carry around in my wallet and my buying preferences stored in a database. 

For what my opinion is worth, Kroger is in a battle for it's life right now against the likes of Walmart and if they can cut some costs by moving some lower paying corporate jobs into the suburban hell that is Blue Ash to survive then I say go for it. As far as Kroger's loyalty to the city, I think i recall that several years ago they were very heavliy recruited by the Atlanta people to move their headquarters south but chose to stay here without much thought.  What I got from the article was that they currently have 1500 employees Downtown now and that they are under a contractual obligation to keep 1400 that they intend to honor. Looks like 100 at the most will be lost from the headquarters if any.

    I do hope though in the future several corporations get some civic pride or whatever it takes and builds us some huge ass signature office towers 

OK, Here's my two cents.

 

The Kroger building is seriously overcrowded and is bursting at the seams.  They've converted conference rooms, server rooms and closets into more office space.  There is no where else to put new employees.  I would have liked to see them take over some floors at the Convergys center, but they need 200,000 contiguis space to fill their needs.  Including 500sqf for lab space.  These labs have their own challanges since they have to be behind physical firewalls with a Halon system etc.  The reality is, there isn't a place in the city that fits this purpose.  Yes they will be moving about 500 people out to Blue Ash, but will maintain the vacated floors in the Kroger building for new employees.  I believe they will also move people from a few of their other buildings to the corporate offices.

 

They've converted conference rooms, server rooms and closets into more office space.    I

 

Oh no! They are in violation of fire codes. 

Does Kroger own and use the entire building, or is it one of those deals where they lease the majority of the tower and thus get their name put on the building?

If they needed that much space why not sign a lease at the queen city square 2???

Does Kroger own and use the entire building, or is it one of those deals where they lease the majority of the tower and thus get their name put on the building?

 

Kroger Owns the building, and leases out some space to other companies.  The occupy about 95% though.  The leases I believe don't expire for another few years and they need the space now.

 

If they needed that much space why not sign a lease at the queen city square 2???

 

I would love to see that!  I would have an awesome view then.  But again, Kroger needs the space now.

With the vacancy rates downtown however, why wouldn't they just occupy space in another building.  It's obvious they are just trying to save money.  Thats okay.  Its a simple reality in business. 

Kroger has a large "buying center" right next to my building in Blue Ash, they have a shipping center somewhere in Tri County --  so it might make sense to the positions that they are moving to Blue Ash

 

this news, as others pointed out, means that Kroger's is growing, which is good for the whole area. Wonder how many other food related companies are here in the area b/c of Kroger's presence (Pierre, Sure Good etc)

 

I can't comment on the specifics of the garage and the OTR store, but IMHO Kroger's deal was less one sided than the other deals recently.

 

What big boxes are they holding onto?

Wonder how many other food related companies are here in the area b/c of Kroger's presence (Pierre, Sure Good etc)

 

That would be interesting to know. When I interned with Cincinnati Bell Wireless' business division, I spent my entire day going to businesses in the area (yes, it was the best job ever--spending my entire day driving around the Cincinnati area and walking around downtown--it was great)  I was blown away by the number of small companies that you never hear about...and so many of them were here because of Kroger.  And then throw in the secondary companies located in Cincinnati because of P&G.  I think the number of these job would really surprise people.  To make things even better, most of these companies were downtown.  While people may complain about the Convergy's deal, IMHO Cincinnati must always do whatever they have to to keep Kroger and P&G headquarters downtown.  The combination of these two companies have such a huge economic impact on Cincinnati and downtown specifically.

From the 2/24/06 Enquirer:

 

 

Kroger brings Marketplace here

BY JOHN ECKBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Kroger Co. plans to introduce the Kroger Marketplace concept – stores that sell furniture, housewares, stationery and cosmetics – in Cincinnati by the end of summer.

 

The company said Friday it also planned to have 28 fuel centers in the region by then.

 

The stores will be similar to the large Kroger in Anderson Township, but unlike that store, the new stores in Lebanon and Liberty Township will not have a Fred Meyer jewelry store.

 

E-mail [email protected]

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/BIZ01/302240019/1076/BIZ

 

They ran the exact same story today:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/BIZ01/602270312/1076/rss01

 

I hate to use a "Rick Hines"-ism, but that's just lazy.

From the 6/23/06 Cincinnati Post:

 

 

New Kroger stores target Wal-Mart

Tri-state gets first 'mini-supercenter' in July

By Greg Paeth

Post staff reporter

 

The Kroger Co. plans to bring its Marketplace shopping concept to Northern Kentucky as early as next year, building two stores designed to compete head-to-head with its biggest rival, the grocery-selling Wal-Mart Supercenters.

 

Officials declined to provide precise information about locations, but they said one of the stores will be in the Newport-Bellevue area and the second will be along I-71/75 south of the Mt. Zion exit in Boone County.

 

Cincinnati-based Kroger intends to open its first Marketplace store in the region - and about its 25th in the country - in Liberty Township on July 20.

 

years.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/BIZ/606230342

 

Kroger plans mega stores here

 

By Dan Sewell

Associated Press

 

27 STORES TOTAL

Kroger's first Marketplace stores opened in Arizona six years ago. There are now two in Columbus and 27 total among Kroger's 2,500 stores in 31 states.

 

Kroger operates supermarkets under two dozen local banners that include Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry's and Smith's.

 

 

The Kroger Co. plans to build eight to 10 more of its Marketplace stores in its home region, a company executive said Tuesday.

 

The announcement further ratchets up the competition between the nation's largest traditional grocery chain and Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, which has steadily expanded its grocery-selling Supercenters.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/BIZ/607190363

With the exception of Jungle Jim's, I usually don't enjoy the huge grocery stores.  Takes way too long just to pick up a few basic items. 

I'm all for any company snatching some of Wal-mart's marketshare.

I'm all for any company snatching some of Wal-mart's marketshare.

 

I do agree with that, though!  I don't like any Wal-Marts, no matter what the size!

How about they maybe also try getting some decent goddamn produce in the Walnut Hills store?  Maybe a little selection in the meat department?  Maybe de-grungify the store a little, get a couple brands of cheese besides Price Saver and Kraft, update the 1979-era decor?  I'd think they'd be embarassed to have their name on that place while they're building brand new mega-death-centers all over hell...

 

I want to support the locally-HQ'd business, but I wish they wouldn't sweep my neighborhood store under the rug...

 

How about IGA on Ludlow puts out meat BEFORE it spoils.

^Not sure what Kroger's supposed to do about that...

Kroger is starting to morph into an upscale version of WalMart or Meijer, and I am warry of supporting big box retail, but they are still the local company....and I will still support them over anyone else who is around (thats not local).  When I go inside I will also make a conscience effort to buy P&G products...this is what I do to support the local cause.

 

BTW, I also dropped my account with People's Community Bank once I found out it was located in WC..and I switched to 5/3.  I also use Cincinnati Bell cell phone service......anything to help the cause.

 

Go CINCINNATI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :wave:

How about IGA on Ludlow puts out meat BEFORE it spoils.

 

Let the mgmt know - they'll happily replace the item or refund your $$$.

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/08/07/daily17.html 

 

Kroger moving jobs from Michigan to Ohio

Business First of Columbus - 9:51 AM EDT Thursday

by Saleha N. GhaniBusiness First

 

Kroger Co.'s decision to move some of its storage operations from Livonia, Mich. to Ohio and cut hundreds of jobs sparked a union-led rally of 1,600 people in Michigan.

 

Cincinnati-based Kroger said it is moving its perishables storage operations for its Great Lakes division from Livonia to Delaware, where it recently began construction of a 50,000-square-foot expansion of its freezer complex, which is slated for completion early next year.

 

 

Didn't know where else to post this so....

 

Kroger's 3Q beats predictions

BY JOHN ECKBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

December 6, 2006

 

CINCINNATI - A third-quarter earnings surprise led the Kroger Co. to lift expectations for 2006 profits Tuesday. The results were driven in part by a focus on customer service and higher gasoline prices.

 

"In this intensely competitive industry, our associates continue to focus on customer service enabling strong sustainable growth - the 13th consecutive quarter of strong, identical same-store sales," said Kroger chairman and chief executive officer David B. Dillon.

 

Kroger's third-quarter net earnings were $214.7 million or 30 cents a diluted share - up 15.8 percent. Earnings in the same period last year were $185.4 million or 25 cents.

 

 

E-mail [email protected]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/BIZ01/612060331/1076/BIZ

As long as Kroger has a union workforce, it can never compete with Wal-Mart.  I worked at Kroger for a summer, it was one of the most disorganzied and inhuman places I've worked.  After 90 days you had the option to join the union, where you got an automatic 75 cent pay raise (I think it was a jump from $4.85 to $5.60 or something) but 35 cents or so went to union dues.  And of course if you joined the union you could never enter management, leading to a tension not only between union people and management, but union people and other floor workers who weren't in the union, since they were obviously trying to get into management.  And if you didn't join the union, the managers knew you were trying to eventually compete with them for a job, so they'd keep you down unless you were the annointed one.  The other thing that was hilarious was that if there was a thunderstorm in Cincinnati, all of Kroger's computers in the video rental departments nationwide would go out until the power came back on and the server reset in Cincinnati.  I also made a quip that if I were stealing money out of the register, they wouldn't know it for three months, and the next day I looked up in the ceiling grate and a camera had been installed above it, looking right down where I worked.  It had a red pilot light on it that they didn't think to put a piece of electrical tape over, so they didn't do a very good job of hiding it.       

Kroger fends off challenges

CEO blends pricing, service, variety

BY DAN SEWELL | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 9, 2007

 

CINCINNATI - The head of the nation's largest supermarket chain spent much of his holidays shopping - for groceries.

 

Back in his native Kansas, David B. Dillon, chairman and chief executive of Kroger Co., hit as many stores as he could, including seven or eight on Christmas Eve.

 

"I bought several things in every store, so the car was pretty full," Dillon said. "And so I'm calling my wife, and I called my mother, asking 'Anything you need from the store, let me know.'"

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/BIZ01/701090329/1076/BIZ

Kroger goes green

Clermont Co. store a showcase for all the latest in energy efficiency

BY JAMES T. DULLEY | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR

 

CINCINNATI - It's not immediately obvious to the average shopper that the new Kroger store in Miami Township is more energy efficient than other Kroger stores.

 

That is, unless they look up.

 

One-hundred 6-foot skylights provide natural light into the 75,000-square-foot store.

 

The skylights offer warmth and make the produce look better.

 

More important for Kroger's bottom line, they also let the grocer turn off half the overhead lights during daylight hours.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070304/BIZ01/703040338/1076

Walmart has been using skylights for several years, if you go near dusk, you can notice the lights slowly diming back up. It's just smart.

 

The new Kroger in Hamilton (Mosler) has the skylights as well.

Wal-Mart is definitely beating Kroger as far as going green. Where I am working now, we are building packages for them to reuse the heat from the freezers to heat the building and domestic water. They are replacing about 10 air handling units that required a separate gas and electric feed to control the air with one water unit that supplies each air handler with hot and cold water, which is much more efficient. They are adding solar panels and using special paints in the stores.

A lot of common sense things that they're doing because they make good business sense rather than save the environment.  Not really much to toot thier horn about.

 

Still, I'm glad to see the "corporate greening" trend continue.

Another thing I noticed is the Kroger brand Yogurt.  They are no longer putting the plastic lids on them, just the peel back cover.  Like it was stated this makes good business sense, but it has an added benefit for the environment as well.  It seems soo painfully obvious, but for some reason it is not wide spread...so I commend Krogers efforts.

Another thing I noticed is the Kroger brand Yogurt.  They are no longer putting the plastic lids on them, just the peel back cover. 

 

I think most of brands of yogurt do this as well.  Dannon started years ago.  Yoplait, Stoneyfield Farms, and Trader Joe's do not use the plastic lids either.

Kroger acquiring Detroit-area Farmer Jack stores

Business First of Columbus - 3:59 PM EDT Wednesday, June 20, 2007

 

 

Kroger Co. said Wednesday it is adding 20 Farmer Jack grocery stores in Michigan to its stable.

 

Kroger will acquire the stores, all in the Detroit metropolitan area, from Montvale, N.J.-based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc. (NYSE:GAP). Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in July, weren't disclosed.

 

The stores will be part of Kroger's Great Lakes division, based in Columbus, which oversees 244 stores in Ohio, West Virginia and Michigan.

 

Cincinnati-based Kroger (NYSE:KR) is the largest grocery store operator in Central Ohio and has more than 2,477 supermarkets in 31 states including its flagship chain, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Smith's, Fry's and Dillons. It reported revenue of $66.1 billion last year.

 

Great Atlantic runs supermarket chains under the names A&P, Super Fresh, Sav-A-Center , Waldbaum's, Super Foodmart, Food Basics and Food Emporium. It reported $6.85 billion in sales last year.

 

this goes into the good news category...small, but good.

Farmer Jack becomes Kroger

June 27, 2007 | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

 

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. will close six Farmer Jack groceries in Greater Detroit and reopen them as Kroger Co. stores in early July, the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday.

 

Kroger last month indicated it was buying 20 Farmer Jack stores in Michigan.

Kroger reports record profit

By John Eckberg • [email protected] • June 24, 2008

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080624/BIZ01/306240040/

 

Kroger bought Harris Teeters and may offer online ordering using their system

http://www.harristeeter.com/express_lane/express_lane.aspx