Kroger is growing its presence in the Midwest with three new supermarkets underway in Edgewood and Newport, Kentucky, and Dayton, Ohio.
As part of a bold $130 million investment in its Cincinnati-Dayton division for 2025, the retailer is also set to renovate 16 stores across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
In Newport, Kroger will build a 50,000-square-foot store featuring a pharmacy, gas station, and an off-site liquor store. The Edgewood and Eaton locations will include a pickup facility, expanded departments and a fuel center to better serve local shoppers.
The grocer also plans to expand its Mulberry store in Milford, Ohio, and add a fuel center at the Derr Road location in Springfield, Ohio.
Details on additional store relocations and renovations have not yet been announced.
Ann Reed, president of the Cincinnati and Dayton division, said: “Our investment of $130 million underscores our commitment to our associates, customers and communities while providing a best-in-class shopping experience for everyone.”
The expansion and accelerated investment plans follow an operational shake-up from the retailer last year after an unsuccessful merger with Albertsons.
Last month Kroger filed a counterclaim against Albertsons, stating that its rival’s actions during their failed $24.6 billion merger violated their agreement, which in turn negated Albertsons’ right to a $600 million termination fee.
The company has also experienced a number of C-suite changes this year, with its CEO, Rodney McMullen, resigning after an internal investigation of conduct which violated company policy.
Moving forward, the company is actively seeking a successor and has named Ronald Sargent as interim CEO.
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