The Kroger Family of Stores lists a total of 18 markets on its website that are related to the company, and you may recognize a few of the names.
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Kroger says its story started in 1883 when Barney Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to open a grocery store in downtown Cincinnati.
His motto was: “Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself.”
More than a century later, Kroger dubs itself as the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states.
“Our current practices are rooted in Barney Kroger’s early efforts to serve customers through food freshness, low prices and innovation—fundamentals that remain at the heart of our Kroger mission today,” the website says.
Another part of Kroger’s site lists the brands included as part of its Family of Stores:
- Baker’s
- City Market
- Dillons
- Food 4 Less
- Foods Co
- Fred Meyer
- Fry’s
- Gerbes
- Jay C Food Store
- King Soopers
- Mariano’s
- Metro Market
- Pay-Less Super Markets
- Pick’n Save
- QFC
- Ralphs
- Ruler
- Smith’s Food and Drug
The company merged with Dillon Companies Inc. in Kansas in 1983 to bring Dillon’s, King Soopers, Fry’s, City Market, and Gerbes into the Kroger family.
The biggest merger in the company’s history was in 1999 when it merged with Fred Meyer, Inc., owner of Smith’s Ralphs, Food 4 Less, and QFC.
More recent mergers include Baker’s in 2001, Harris Teeter in 2014 and Roundy’s, Pick ‘N Save, Metro Markets, and Mariano’s in 2015.
Kroger said it rakes more than $132.5billion in annual sales.
The chain is popular throughout the US and offers deals like 10 percent off on Wednesday for military members.
The discount is available every Wednesday from August 31.
In addition, Kroger introduced a new device across its stores that could end of self-checkout.
Customers have the option of using a KroGo cart, which is a buggy that comes with a built-in camera.
Shoppers can put their reusable grocery bags inside before wandering the aisles.
This allows customers to pick up and scan items before putting them into the cart.
Shoppers pay for their items using their credit or debit card directly on the cart.