inStorebuyer - December 2011 - (Page 32)

02 Kroger The Kroger Co.’s family of stores, in partnership with key suppliers, committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. The company’s annual Giving Hope a Hand campaign kicked off in stores on Sept. 25 and featured 53 Kroger associates who are breast cancer survivors on marketing materials and custom packages of national and Kroger brand products. These women share their survivor stories on the packaging of select items sold exclusively in Kroger’s family of stores. Melissa “Missy” Veeder, who works in retail merchandising for Ralphs Division in Southern California, was featured this year on packages of Kraft shredded cheese. She is grateful for the network of support she found while battling breast cancer, and now reaches out to other women to offer that same kind of friendship and help. Veeder’s inspirational story and others can also be found at www.sharingcourage.com, an interactive website dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. “We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors,” said David Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health.” Annual Sales: $82.2 billion Number of Stores: 2,439 Store Banners: City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Kroger, QFC, Ralphs, Smith’s Address: 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: (513) 762-4000 Web: www.thekrogerco.com Key Personnel: Jeff Burt, group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement At the end of this year, Kroger will have donated more than $18 million to support breast cancer research, education and services since Giving Hope a Hand began in 2006. On the sales front, Kroger reported total sales increased 11.5% to $20.9 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with $18.8 billion for the same period last year. Identical supermarket sales, without fuel, increased 5.3% in the second quarter over the same period last year. This marked 31 consecutive quarters of identical supermarket sales increases for Kroger. “We are pleased with Kroger’s strong performance this quarter, which we believe is the outcome of our consistent approach to managing the business and executing our Customer 1st strategy,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our ongoing investments in the four keys - our people, products, prices and the shopping experience - continued to enhance our connection with customers and drive positive identical sales growth.” Kroger increased its identical supermarket sales guidance for fiscal 2011. The company now expects identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel, of 4% to 5% for the year. | 32 | inStorebuyer | December 2011 | http://www.sharingcourage.com http://www.thekrogerco.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of inStorebuyer - December 2011

inStorebuyer - December, 2011
Editor's note - The Road Ahead
Contents
Dobla’s Executive Pastry Chef Wins World Chocolate Masters
Ultimate Cake Decorating Competition Winners
Dawn Busy Bakery - Busy Bakery Video Contest
America’s Best Raisin Bread Contest
CSM Announces Leadership Change
Dawn Busy Bakery - Bakery Trends Overview
C-Stores Gains
The Road Ahead
European Vacation
Bakery of the Year - Schnucks
Deli of the Year - Publix
Local Makeovers
Walmart
Kroger
Costco
Safeway
Supervalu
Publix
Ahold
Delhaize
H-E-B
7-Eleven
Meijer
BJ's Wholesale
Whole Foods Market
Trader Joe's
A&P
Hy-Vee
Winn-Dixie
Wegmans
WinCo
Stater Bros
Price Chopper
Schnuck Markets
Brookshire's
United
Balls Food
Product Trends
Product Showcase
Ad Index
Donut Time

inStorebuyer - December 2011