KROGER

BOSTON — There’s a tremendous upside for retailers and suppliers, but that upside will come from doing things differently than in years past, as well as grappling with fragmentation. Those were a few of the key messages Bryan Gildenberg, chief knowledge officer of Kantar Retail, had for attendees of Monday morning’s business session at NACDS Marketplace in Boston.

CINCINNATI — Kroger CEO David Dillon said the company will continue to focus on customer loyalty, after reporting last week that it saw identical-store sales increase for 30 consecutive quarters.

During its shareholders meeting on Thursday, Dillon said the company will build its future growth around its Customer 1st strategy, which emphasizes "[our] people, products, prices and the shopping experience."

CINCINNATI — Kroger has released its fifth annual sustainability report.

Some of the highlights noted in the report include:

• Kroger stores reduced overall energy consumption by 30% since 2000;

• Company-wide, including all facilities, Kroger has saved more than 2.2 billion kilowatt hours;

• Kroger completed its first wind energy project. Two wind turbines installed at Turkey Hill Dairy in Lancaster, Pa., will supply 25% of the dairy's annual electricity needs;

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — A popcorn seasoning brand has launched its all-natural, ready-to-eat popcorn in four kosher varieties.

Kernel Season's said each of its popcorn varieties are made with natural sunflower oil, real cheese and clarified butter, and are free of trans fat per serving, artificial colors or flavors. The company debuted the popcorn this past May at the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has named Michael Donnelly as SVP merchandising. Donnelly has been president of the company's Ralphs division, based in Los Angeles, since August 2007.

In his new position, Donnelly will lead all merchandising and procurement for Kroger.

CINCINNATI — Kroger reported solid first-quarter results and marked 30 consecutive quarters in which identical-store sales increased, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

Kroger said that identical-store sales rose 4.6%, excluding fuel, to about $20.8 billion. Identical stores are defined as supermarkets open at least five quarters.

The company said its first-quarter revenue for the period ended May 21, including fuel, rose 11% to about $27.5 billion, compared with the year-ago period. Excluding fuel, total sales were 4.8% above last year.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Monday named Reuben Shaffer the grocer’s new chief diversity officer, effective immediately.

“Diversity is a core value at Kroger,” stated David Dillon, Kroger chairman and CEO. “We take our commitment to diversity seriously, both because it is right and because it makes us better at our business. When our decision-making is inclusive and reflects the diversity of our customers, we make better decisions.”

CINCINNATI — Kroger has kicked off a two-week campaign that is expected to generate $5 million dollars in cash and food donations to assist 80 local food banks in communities where Kroger's customers and associates live and work.

Kroger said that its annual Bringing Hope to the Table campaign, which runs through June 11, will assist food banks that are members of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. Since 2006, Kroger's family of stores has generated contributions of $25 million in food and funds through the campaign.