KROGER

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — TalkingRain Beverage said it is bringing its Sparkling Ice brand to Kroger stores and the retailer's other supermarket banners.

Sparkling Ice will hit the shelves of Kroger, King Soopers, Ralphs, QFC, Fred Meyer, Frys, Dillons and Smith's across the country. Sparkling Ice, which blends together mountain spring water, fruit juice and carbonation, is available in orange mango, black raspberry, lemon lime, pomegranate berry, pink grapefruit and kiwi strawberry flavors, and in 17-oz. and 1-liter containers.

In retailing, it’s a given that a long-term, severe recession will cut through the ranks of food, drug and general merchandise retailers like a scythe through wheat, pushing weaker players out of the market as consumer spending dries up and Darwinian realities winnow the field. But it’s also true that the strongest merchants can emerge not only intact, but also with even brighter prospects if they innovate, invest and retain the loyalty of their customers.


HOUSTON — Kroger's Southwest division, which consists of 208 stores in Texas and Louisiana, announced that it is continuing to reduce waste and conserve energy by moving forward with sustainable practices by renewing its three-step approach.

CINCINNATI — Kroger is the latest retailer to join the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance as a partner.

The supermarket conglomerate will implement the DPCA's Diabetes Control Program, which is designed to help patients gain better control of their condition, at select store pharmacies, including stores in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, markets. The retailer also will offer the program in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Las Vegas later this year.

LOS ANGELES — Two Kroger banners have raised funds to benefit Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.

Ralphs and Food 4 Less said they raised more than $100,000 for the American Red Cross' International Response Fund for its Japan relief efforts. The retailers hosted a fundraising campaign that ran from March 21 through April 9.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. ­— The Little Clinic has announced the appointment of Kenneth Patric as its new chief medical officer, providing medical oversight and management, and overseeing the development and implementation, of new clinical programs and initiatives for The Little Clinic on a national level.

HOUSTON — Beginning April 13, Kroger customers in the Greater Houston area will be able to save up to $1 per gallon at 68 Kroger Fuel Centers through the grocer's new fuel accumulation program.

Kroger's latest gas savings initiative will allow shoppers to redeem up to 1,000 fuel points, which are earned through everyday grocery, prescription and gift card purchases using the Kroger Plus card, during a single fill-up.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Hungry Jack is bringing its home-style hash browns to major grocery chains nationwide.

New Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes, from 100% Idaho potatoes, allow consumers to enjoy hash brown potatoes at home in four steps. Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes come fully cooked and seasoned and require no refrigeration, the company said.

Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes are available at such retailers as Walmart, H-E-B, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Food Lion, Albertsons and Super Target for about $1.79 per carton.