The Kroger Co.

Is Kroger publicly traded?
Yes, Kroger is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KR. The company went public in 1977 and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Shares are widely held by institutional investors, index funds, and retail shareholders.

Who founded Kroger?
Bernard Kroger founded the company in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first store, called The Great Western Tea and Coffee Company, sold tea and coffee at lower prices than competitors. Kroger pioneered retail innovations including in-store bakeries, meat departments, and self-service shopping.

What happened to Kroger's CEO?
Rodney McMullen unexpectedly resigned as Chairman and CEO in March 2025. He had served as CEO since 2014 and as president since 2009. The board is conducting a deliberate search for an external successor with retail transformation experience. The company has not yet announced a permanent replacement.

What is Kroger's revenue?
Kroger reported revenue of $147.1 billion for fiscal year 2025, the year ended February 1, 2025. Q4 2025 revenue was $34.8 billion with EPS of $1.15, exceeding analyst expectations. The company generates revenue through grocery sales, pharmacy services, fuel centers, and digital commerce.

How many stores does Kroger operate?
Kroger operates over 2,700 stores across 35 states under multiple banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Dillons, and Smith's. The company plans to complete 30 major store projects in 2025, with new store openings expected to accelerate beyond 2025.

Did Kroger buy Albertsons?
No, the $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons was blocked by a federal judge in December 2023 on antitrust grounds. The companies abandoned the merger in December 2024. Albertsons subsequently sued Kroger for breach of contract. Kroger announced a $7.5 billion share repurchase program following the failed merger.

What is Kroger's relationship with Ocado?
Kroger partnered with Ocado Group in 2018 for automated fulfillment technology. In December 2025, Kroger modified the partnership, making a one-time payment to remove exclusivity agreements while maintaining five active fulfillment centers. A sixth facility in Phoenix is planned with "AutoFreezer" technology for automated freezer inventory management.

Bernard Kroger founded the company in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first store, called The Great Western Tea and Coffee Company, was located in downtown Cincinnati. Kroger's approach was simple: buy directly from wholesalers and sell goods at lower prices than competitors. This value-oriented strategy became the foundation of the company's culture.

Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kroger expanded rapidly. The company pioneered retail innovations including in-store bakeries, meat departments, and self-service shopping. Kroger was also an early adopter of private label brands, introducing its own products to provide value alternatives to national brands. In 1901, Kroger became the first grocery chain to operate its own bakery.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Kroger expanded beyond groceries into drug stores and jewelry stores. The company developed one of the first supermarket formats, combining various departments under one roof. This format would become the standard for American grocery retail.

Through the latter half of the 20th century, Kroger grew through strategic acquisitions. The company purchased regional supermarket chains including Dillons, King Soopers, and Fred Meyer. The Fred Meyer acquisition in 1998 was particularly significant, as it gave Kroger a presence in the Pacific Northwest and added multi-department stores to the portfolio. Kroger went public in 1977, listing on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker KR.

In the 21st century, Kroger has focused on digital innovation and private label growth. The company launched its Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic lines, which have become major revenue drivers. Kroger has invested in online grocery services, mobile apps, and loyalty programs. The company's partnership with Ocado Group, begun in 2018, provided automated fulfillment technology for online grocery orders.

Kroger attempted to acquire Albertsons in 2022 for $24.6 billion, a deal that would have created a grocery giant capable of competing more effectively with Walmart. The deal was blocked by a federal judge in December 2023 on antitrust grounds, and the companies abandoned the merger in December 2024. Kroger subsequently announced a $7.5 billion share repurchase program and a new $1.3 billion share repurchase authorization in 2025.

The failed Albertsons acquisition and McMullen's resignation in March 2025 marked a period of transition for Kroger. The company is now focused on independent growth through digital transformation, private label expansion, store modernization, and supply chain optimization.

Kroger has established comprehensive sustainability initiatives through its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program. The program focuses on food waste reduction, community hunger relief, and environmental responsibility. The company has committed to achieving zero waste company-wide and zero retail food waste to landfills by 2025. The Zero Hunger program has donated over 3 billion meals to communities since its inception.

In environmental sustainability, Kroger has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and incorporating 100% recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging for its private label products by 2030. The company has invested in energy-efficient store technologies, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable supply chain practices.

Kroger maintains supplier responsibility programs covering human rights, animal welfare, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, sustainable packaging, food waste, and agricultural production methods. The company's private label brands participate in sustainability initiatives like the Sustainable Coffee Challenge.

The company has faced criticism over labor practices, including wages for retail workers and scheduling practices. Kroger employs a mix of full-time and part-time associates across its stores. The company has faced unionization efforts in some markets, and labor relations vary by region.

Kroger has received recognition for sustainability leadership, community engagement, and retail innovation.

• Disability Equality Index 2025: Kroger was recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" for the sixth consecutive year, receiving a top score on the Disability Equality Index.
• Forbes Best Customer Service 2025: Kroger received high ratings in the Forbes 2025 Best Customer Service survey, which collected 414 million ratings from U.S. consumers across more than 3,500 brands.
• Newsweek Most Responsible Companies: Kroger has been named one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognizing its community engagement, hunger relief programs, and social impact contributions.
• Sustainability Leadership Recognition: Multiple awards for the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan, environmental stewardship programs, and food waste reduction initiatives.

The blocked Albertsons merger was Kroger's most significant recent controversy. In October 2022, Kroger announced a $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons, which would have created a grocery giant with over 5,000 stores. The deal faced opposition from antitrust regulators, consumer advocates, and union groups who argued it would reduce competition and lead to higher prices. A federal judge blocked the merger in December 2023, and the companies abandoned the deal in December 2024. Albertsons subsequently sued Kroger for breach of contract.

Rodney McMullen's unexpected resignation as CEO in March 2025 created leadership uncertainty. The company has been conducting a deliberate search for a successor but has not yet announced a permanent replacement. The prolonged search has drawn questions from investors about the company's strategic direction.

Kroger has faced food safety incidents including product recalls. In 2024, the company recalled ground beef products due to potential E. coli contamination. The company has also managed recalls of fresh produce, private label products, and baby formula during national shortages. All recalls have been conducted in cooperation with FDA and USDA authorities.

The company faces ongoing scrutiny over grocery pricing practices, particularly during periods of inflation. Consumer advocacy groups have questioned whether grocery retailers are using inflation as cover for excessive price increases. Kroger has defended its pricing as competitive and has emphasized its private label value offerings.