Introduction
America’s largest grocery chain, Walmart, is making some major moves to expand its reach and offerings. The retail giant is investing in new technology, expanding its online grocery delivery services, and introducing new store formats. Walmart is also investing in new products and services to better serve its customers. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the major expansion moves Walmart is making and how they could benefit shoppers.
America’s Largest Grocery Chain Is Making These Major Expansion Moves
America’s largest grocery chain, Kroger, is making some major moves to expand its reach and offerings. The company recently announced that it is investing $2.7 billion in its stores, digital capabilities, and customer experience. Here’s what you need to know about Kroger’s expansion plans.
New Store Openings
Kroger is opening new stores in several states, including California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The company is also expanding its presence in existing markets, such as Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The new stores will feature a variety of products, including fresh produce, meat, seafood, and prepared foods. Kroger is also investing in technology to make shopping easier and more convenient for customers.
Online Shopping and Delivery
Kroger is investing in its online shopping and delivery capabilities. The company is expanding its ClickList service, which allows customers to order groceries online and pick them up at the store. Kroger is also partnering with Instacart to offer same-day delivery in select markets. Customers can now order their groceries online and have them delivered to their door in as little as an hour.
New Loyalty Program
Kroger is launching a new loyalty program called Kroger Rewards. The program will offer customers rewards points for every dollar they spend at Kroger stores. Customers can then redeem their points for discounts on future purchases. The program is expected to launch in the fall of 2020.
Eat This Not That
Kroger is also making changes to its food offerings. The company is expanding its selection of organic and natural foods, as well as plant-based and vegan options. Kroger is also introducing a new line of healthy snacks and meals called Eat This Not That. The line features items that are low in calories, fat, and sugar, and are made with wholesome ingredients.
Kroger’s expansion plans are sure to make it even easier for customers to get the groceries they need. With new stores, online shopping and delivery options, and a loyalty program, Kroger is making it easier than ever to shop for groceries. And with its new Eat This Not That line, customers can find healthy and delicious options that fit their lifestyle.
In a year defined by shortages and price hikes, America’s largest grocery chain is making big moves. Kroger already has almost 2,800 stores in 35 states, but the sky is, apparently, the limit.
Over the past few weeks, the company has been excited to announce new ventures in areas across the country. Here’s what’s been going on and what could be coming soon to a location in your neighborhood. And for more positive grocery news, check out these 6 Things You’ll See at Costco This Year.
In 2021, the company entered the Florida grocery scene with “successful” grocery delivery, and now, another state is getting the same perk. In the next year or so, Kroger says grocery shoppers in Oklahoma City, Okla. will soon be able to order items for delivery. A new facility (in a partnership with e-commerce technology company Ocado) is being built and will utilize 1,000+ robots to grab items in order to complete delivery services for customers up to 200 miles away.
“This grocery delivery service is an innovative addition to the expanding digital shopping experience available to our customers,” Kroger’s Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Gabriel Arreaga said in a statement. “The spoke facility will provide unmatched, impeccable customer service and improve direct access to fresh food in areas eager for the variety and value offered by Kroger.”
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Another “spoke” facility is opening up in Atlanta, offering residents “an e-commerce delivery service that combines vertical integration, machine learning, and robotics with affordable, friendly, and fast delivery of grocery items and fresh food,” Kroger stated in an announcement on Feb. 4.
The Forest Park facility is similar to the Oklahoma City Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) and is located with direct access to three highways, as well as the international airport and railways.
All shoppers need to do is place an order on the Kroger app or Kroger.com, and their items will arrive having been picked out by the robots and shipped in a temperature-controlled van.
Related: Walmart and Target Just Changed This COVID Policy
Before the Oklahoma City and Atlanta CFCs were announced, Kroger revealed that a spoke facility will soon service shoppers in Louisville, Ky. The 50,000-square-foot facility will help support a hub in Monroe, Ohio that opened in April of last year and will become operational in late 2022, the company said in a statement.
These three CFCs are the latest planned, but Kroger also hopes to add some in California, Dallas, Texas, Frederick, Md., Phoenix, Ariz., Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Romulus, Mich., South Florida, and the Northeast.
Following in the footsteps of Walmart, Kroger recently started offering fast food in a Ralphs location. The restaurant kitchen opened on Jan. 7 and allows customers to order food from 10 different fast-food chains, like Dog Haus, Fresh Brothers, Sajj Mediterranean, and Wild Rice Asian Kitchen.
For more on what has changed at the grocery store, here are 50 Discontinued Groceries That Have Vanished from Shelves.