Latest news with #Kroger-owned
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Harris Teeter announces store renovations in South Carolina
Harris Teeter announced Tuesday that all 12 of its Charleston, South Carolina, area stores will undergo a refresh. This multimillion-dollar investment from the Kroger-owned grocer, which is currently underway, includes enhancing amenities across the stores' produce, meat and seafood departments as well as installing upgraded finishes and decor, according to the press release. Four of the 12 stores included in the refresh are done, having received "major remodels" that included improvements to self-checkout and putting in new produce displays and expanded food cases. To celebrate the completed remodels, Harris Teeter is reviving its "Taste of Teeter" event across the Charleston area. Each revamped store will host the event upon reopening, with the first celebration taking place on Thursday. The event includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony and complimentary tastings of local products. Harris Teeter's VIC card members will have access to special savings and double fuel points. "This market renovation represents our continued investment in delivering exceptional shopping experiences and celebrates our love for our Lowcountry neighbors," said Danna Robinson, the grocer's director of corporate affairs and customer relations. The announcement noted that Harris Teeter has had a presence in the Lowcountry area for nearly 50 years. Harris Teeter runs more than 250 stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and Washington, D.C. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Harris Teeter announces market-wide store renovations
Harris Teeter announced Tuesday that all 12 of its Charleston, South Carolina, area stores will undergo a refresh. This multimillion-dollar investment from the Kroger-owned grocer, which is currently underway, includes enhancing amenities across the stores' produce, meat and seafood departments as well as installing upgraded finishes and decor, according to the press release. Four of the 12 stores included in the refresh are done, having received "major remodels" that included improvements to self-checkout and putting in new produce displays and expanded food cases. To celebrate the completed remodels, Harris Teeter is reviving its "Taste of Teeter" event across the Charleston area. Each revamped store will host the event upon reopening, with the first celebration taking place on Thursday. The event includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony and complimentary tastings of local products. Harris Teeter's VIC card members will have access to special savings and double fuel points. "This market renovation represents our continued investment in delivering exceptional shopping experiences and celebrates our love for our Lowcountry neighbors," said Danna Robinson, the grocer's director of corporate affairs and customer relations. The announcement noted that Harris Teeter has had a presence in the Lowcountry area for nearly 50 years. Harris Teeter runs more than 250 stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and Washington, D.C. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eat Happy Kitchen Doubles National Retail Footprint: Nearly 500 Stores Owned by the Largest Supermarket Operator in the U.S. to Carry the Woman-Owned Brand's All-Natural Line of Pasta Sauces
Premium pasta sauce brand expands into major markets including Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, and Las Vegas SANTA YNEZ, Calif., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eat Happy Kitchen, an award-winning woman-owned food company known for its clean, better-for-you pasta sauces, is now appearing on the shelves of 479 Kroger Family stores across the country. This milestone marks a significant step in the company's mission to bring premium, no-sugar-added sauces to everyday shoppers seeking alternatives to conventional options. The addition more than doubles Eat Happy Kitchen's national retail footprint and makes it one of the fastest-scaling emerging food brands in the country. Eat Happy Kitchen's relationship with Kroger began in an unexpected way, when founder and CEO Anna Vocino participated in a 30-second "pitch slam" at Expo West 2024, hosted by StartupCPG. That brief introduction sparked conversations that evolved into the brand's addition to the shelves of Kroger-owned Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, QFC, Smith's, and Fry's. "Our pasta sauces offer something very different from the usual suspects on the shelf," said Vocino. "From no seed oils to no added sugars, our clean ingredient list and bold flavors give shoppers a fun, better-for-you choice that can freshen up any pasta night. Kroger's willingness to make room for an emerging, woman-owned brand like ours shows their commitment to bringing innovation and quality to their customers, and it advances our mission to become the premium pantry product company of the future." Shoppers will find four of Eat Happy Kitchen's standout sauces in the conventional pasta sauce aisle: Eat Happy Kitchen Marinara Eat Happy Kitchen Puttanesca, the Shelfie Awards best pasta sauce of 2024 Eat Happy Kitchen Pink Crema Eat Happy Kitchen Arrabbiata Spicy Marinara The expansion was made possible through the support of Eat Happy Kitchen's trusted distribution partner, KeHE. "The entire KeHE team, especially Darren Eubanks, has been instrumental in helping us prepare for this expansion into the footprint of the largest supermarket operator in the United States," Vocino added. "Their partnership has been indispensable to our growth and we're grateful for their role in making this happen." With the premium pasta sauce category growing rapidly, Eat Happy Kitchen's clean-label recipes stand out in a space long dominated by mass-produced alternatives. The company's entry onto the shelves of one of the most mainstream supermarket brands reflects a larger shift in consumer demand for healthier, high-quality pantry staples at conventional grocery stores. This also marks a significant moment for representation in the food space, as Eat Happy Kitchen is among the few women-owned pasta sauce brands on the shelves at a growing number of the country's largest retailers. Vocino will conduct in-store product demonstrations at various new locations in the coming months. Follow her on Instagram for news and information about Eat Happy products, special discounts, and live appearances. About Eat Happy KitchenEat Happy Kitchen is a natural food manufacturing company founded by Anna Vocino, author of the bestselling Eat Happy series of cookbooks. Founded with the primary mission of making foods with the highest quality ingredients, always gluten free, and with no sugar added, the company's products currently include a line of five SKUs of pasta sauces, four spice blends, and three upcoming cheese bite snacks. More information about Eat Happy Kitchen can be found at Media contact:Scott Merritt(770) 778-4786396529@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Eat Happy Kitchen Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of Kroger, Albertsons grocery store workers vote to strike
A union representing thousands of workers at Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores have voted to strike. After five months at the bargaining table, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) 3000 union voted to reject their employers' latest contract by more than 97%. The union represents nearly 30,000 grocery employees at Kroger-owned stores like Fred Meyer and QFC, and Albertsons-owned stores like Safeway. 'We authorized a strike to fight for better wages, better staffing, and a fully funded healthcare plan so that we can deliver the kind of service our customers deserve,' said Vickie Logerstedt, a cashier at Redmond Ridge QFC. 'We have been more than patient for months, but these companies have offered nothing but crumbs and mealy language. Time has run out.' The workers were asking the grocery chains for better wages, more staffing and improved healthcare. UFCW 3000's member-led bargaining team started contract negotiations with Kroger and Albertsons in January of 2025. The three-year contract covering Kroger and Albertsons grocery store workers in much of the Puget Sound area ended in May, but both parties agreed on a short contract extension to help reach an agreement. Kroger told KIRO 7 on the day of the vote that it believes it's offering a great deal and said: 'We remain actively engaged in bargaining with UFCW 3000 because we believe the best outcomes are achieved at the table, not through disruption.' It should be noted that a strike authorization vote does not mean a strike will occur. 'A strike at this stage is an unnecessary and disruptive action—especially given the meaningful wage increases and industry-leading healthcare we're offering at the bargaining table,' said Todd Kammeyer, president of Fred Meyer. 'We remain committed to continuing negotiations in good faith and urge union leadership to do the same.' Another round of negotiations is scheduled for June 12 and 13. The contract extension agreement can be unilaterally terminated with a 72-hour notice, and a strike could not begin until after the 72-hour notice has run out. Kroger told KIRO 7 it believes it's offering a great deal and said: 'We remain actively engaged in bargaining with UFCW 3000 because we believe the best outcomes are achieved at the table, not through disruption.' A union spokesperson told KIRO 7 that all sides will return to the bargaining table on June 12-13, and workers are hoping this vote can send a message. Fred Meyer and QFC will remain open.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kroger announces big store change amid price gouging accusations
Kroger announces big store change amid price gouging accusations originally appeared on TheStreet. Last month, Kroger () , which has over 2,000 stores across the country, was accused of squeezing extra money out of its customers as they battle inflation and higher costs of living. According to a monthslong investigation from Consumer Reports, The Guardian and the Food & Environment Reporting Network, it alleges that Kroger shoppers have unknowingly been paying full price for a plethora of items in stores that were advertised as being on sale or discounted. 💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 💰💵 The investigation recruited people to shop at 26 Kroger and Kroger-owned stores, and they found expired price tags that led to overcharges on over 150 grocery items, such as salmon, Cheerios cereal, Nescafé instant coffee, of the price tags were expired by at least 10 days, and the prices of five of the items were expired by at least 90 days. The average overcharge was $1.70 per item. While Kroger employees were quick to correct pricing errors when customers flagged them, many went unnoticed. The investigation into Kroger's prices comes after customers in Ohio, Utah, California and Illinois filed class-action lawsuits over incorrect pricing in the grocery chain's stores. In response to the investigation, a Kroger representative told the organizations in a statement that it reviews 'millions of items weekly to ensure our shelf prices are accurate.' 'While any error is unacceptable, the characterization of widespread pricing concerns is patently false,' said the Kroger representative. Shortly after the investigation's results were published on May 14, multiple Kroger employees told Consumer Reports that managers have been instructed to correct all price tag errors in stores within 'a matter of days.' Kroger also announced on May 15 that it was hiring 15,000 new associates to 'enhance the customer experience,' in roles such as 'cashiers, baggers, deli bakery clerks, pharmacy technicians, Kroger delivery drivers,' according to a press release. "We invite future associates to make a home at Kroger and discover a fresh opportunity with competitive pay and benefits, flexible schedules and a promise to invest in your future,' said Tim Massa, Kroger chief associate experience officer, in the press highlighted that it offers 'on-demand, role-specific training' to employees and perks such as education and tuition reimbursement, free financial coaching, health care, discounts, etc. The investigation into Kroger's prices comes after its senior director for pricing, Andy Groff, was questioned in federal court last year about the grocery chain's pricing. During a Federal Trade Commission hearing over Kroger's plan to purchase its rival Albertsons, Groff was questioned about an email he wrote in March to his bosses that stated that Kroger had raised its prices higher than inflation. "On milk and eggs, retail inflation has been significantly higher than cost inflation," wrote Groff in the email. More Retail: Costco quietly plans to offer a convenient service for customers T-Mobile pulls the plug on generous offer, angering customers Kellogg sounds alarm on unexpected shift in customer behavior In response to questions about the email, Groff testified that Kroger's objective was to "pass through our inflation to consumers." Last year, Kroger also faced an investigation from several lawmakers over its use of digital price tags, which the grocery chain claims allows employees to update prices for items within seconds. In an Aug. 5 letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey revealed that they will be launching an investigation into the company's digital price tags, which is present in some of its stores, as they are worried that the technology will open the door for price gouging. 'These digital price tags may enable Kroger and other grocery chains to transition to 'dynamic pricing,' in which the price of basic household goods could surge based on the time of day, the weather, or other transitory events – allowing stores to calibrate price increases to extract maximum profits at a time when the amount of Americans' income spent on food is at a 30-year high,' reads the announces big store change amid price gouging accusations first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
