The grocery industry hasn’t had it easy since Amazon got into the game. And price wars, which are a constant problem in the grocery sector, are bearing down heavily on Kroger right now.
However, the 134-year-old food chain, which has approximately 2,800 stores nationwide, continues to focus on what’s most important: people.
In October, it will launch the first of a series of “comfort food” restaurants in Union, Ky. Called Kitchen 1883, everything will be made from scratch.
With dining becoming faster and more packaged every day, Kroger is banking on customers looking for a little taste of home outside the home.
“OF THE TOP 1,000 PUBLIC/PRIVATE COMPANIES in the CEO1000, 18, OR SLIGHTLY UNDER 2%, ARE IN THE GROCERY BUSINESS, AND ALL ARE IN THE TOP 500.”
The company is also on a mission to end hunger and food waste with its Zero Hunger Zero Waste program. Through the Kroger Foundation, the chain has donated $10 million and plans to give out 3 billion balanced meals by 2025 and achieve zero waste by 2020.
Kroger has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fifth consecutive year.
Kroger also donated $3.5 million to hurricane recovery and relief efforts, including grants to food banks, product donations to local nonprofits and financial grants to associates suffering hardships. It is currently offering free healthcare in Houston through its The Little Clinic, and its mobile pharmacy is visiting affected regions to help refill thousands of prescriptions for displaced patients.
Chairman (Since Jan 2015) and CEO (Since Jan 2014), Kroger
Previous Position: President and COO
Company start date: 1978
First Position at Company: Stock clerk in a local Kroger grocery store
Age: 55
Education: Bachelors and Masters degree in Accounting from University of Kentucky
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
