KROGER

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With shoppers looking for ways to buy things more conveniently, it's clear that the age of the multichannel consumer is well under way, and retailers would be wise to respond in kind. Many of them have already done so.

According to retail consulting firm Upstream Commerce, convenience ranks at the top of reasons why consumers shop online, and as recent news has shown, this is just as true for supermarkets as it is for anyone else.

MINNEAPOLIS — While Supervalu has completed its overhaul of its value proposition across its Jewel-Osco banner, the grocer will be analyzing the impact before replicating the price repositioning across its entire chain, the Minnesota-based supermarket chain announced Thursday morning. "We continue to have a market-leading price position amongst conventional food retailers in three markets," Wayne Sales, Supervalu president, CEO and chairman told analysts during the second-quarter conference call.

CINCINNATI — Over the course of a day-long investor conference Tuesday, Kroger outlined its future growth strategy. Across its physical store base, Kroger plans to enter one or two as-yet-to-be-named new markets along with boosting presence in existing markets. But Kroger also has significant designs on the multichannel consumer, and outlined for analysts the grocer's plan to grow its marketshare across the digital landscape as well.

HAMILTON, Ohio — Kroger has extended a pharmacy call center pilot project with Koncert IT through February 2013, according to a report published Tuesday by JournalNews. 

"Right now [Kroger is] looking at possible infrastructure expansion in the event that it continues to move forward," Walt McLaren, president of Koncert IT, told JournalNews. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger has launched its annual hunger awareness campaign, which is expected to generate $4 million in cash and food donations this year.

The Bringing Hope to the Table campaign, which kicked off Sunday and will run for two weeks, is designed to assist 80 local food banks — which are members of Feeding America — in communities where Kroger's customers and associates live and work. Since 2006, Kroger has contributed $30 million in food and funds to local food banks through the annual campaign.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — A weight management products and services provider is bringing its items to retail.

Nutrisystem announced the retail debut of its Nutrisystem Everyday product line at Kroger. Available in bars, smoothies, bakery and breakfast items, each product delivers low fat and calories, and is a good source of fiber and protein, the company said.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has kicked off a sales event during May that will support the broad range of programs and services the United Service Organizations provides to service members, their families and veterans.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has announced that it has earned reaccreditation from the Joint Commission by continuing to demonstrate compliance with the highest national standards for healthcare safety and quality of care.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Kroger, The Little Clinic initially earned accreditation and the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval in 2009 and is only the second retail healthcare provider to receive reaccreditation from the Joint Commission.