Founding of Kroger
Kroger was founded by Bernard Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio. He invested his life savings of $372 to open his first grocery store.
1883
1902
Incorporation of Kroger Grocery and Baking Company
Kroger incorporated as the Kroger Grocery and Baking Company, reflecting its expansion into in-house baking to ensure product quality.
1916
First Self-Service Grocery Store
Kroger became the first grocery chain to introduce self-service shopping, allowing customers to select their own groceries.
1928
Expansion through Acquisitions
Kroger expanded its presence by acquiring several smaller grocery chains, solidifying its market position.
1930
Introduction of Customer Research
Kroger established one of the first customer research departments in the grocery industry, aiming to better understand consumer needs.
1955
Acquisition of Henke & Pillot
Kroger acquired Henke & Pillot, a Houston-based grocery chain, marking its entry into the Texas market.
1972
Introduction of Electronic Scanning
Kroger was one of the first grocery chains to implement electronic scanning of UPC codes, revolutionizing the checkout process.
1983
100th Anniversary
Kroger celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of growth and innovation in the grocery industry.
1988
Acquisition of Dillon Companies
Kroger acquired Dillon Companies, Inc., expanding its footprint in the Midwest and adding new retail formats to its portfolio.
1999
Merger with Fred Meyer, Inc.
Kroger merged with Fred Meyer, Inc., creating one of the largest retail companies in the United States.
2000
Launch of Kroger.com
Kroger launched its online shopping platform, Kroger.com, providing customers with the convenience of online grocery shopping.
2012
Acquisition of Harris Teeter
Kroger acquired Harris Teeter, a North Carolina-based grocery chain, further expanding its presence in the southeastern United States.
2014
Introduction of ClickList
Kroger introduced ClickList, a service that allows customers to order groceries online and pick them up at the store, enhancing the shopping experience.
2018
Partnership with Ocado
Kroger announced a partnership with Ocado, a UK-based online supermarket, to build automated warehouses for online grocery fulfillment in the U.S.
2021
Launch of Kroger Delivery Now
Kroger launched Kroger Delivery Now, a service offering rapid grocery delivery in partnership with Instacart, aiming to meet the growing demand for home delivery.
