KROGER ATLANTA STRESSES ITS CLASS WITH BEEF GRADING

ATLANTA -- Meat merchandisers at the Atlanta division of Kroger Co. are apparently attempting to build an image of superior department service with a full-page newspaper ad about beef grading.

re Prime; gave them a stir-fry recipe to try, and introduced them to Kroger's meat and seafood manager, John Gunn.

Along with introducing Gunn, the ad quoted him emphasizing the full-service aspect of the chain's meat departments.

"We're here to please our customers. So if you want a cut of meat that you don't see in the meat case, just ask any of our meat department managers. No matter what cut it is, Kroger can get it for you in a day or two," Gunn said in the ad.

Executives at the Atlanta division of Kroger were unavailable for comment on the advertisement.

During the same week, the Dallas division of Kroger ran an ad in a local newspaper kicking off a Turkeybuck-like promotion for Easter brisket or ham.

A source at the corporate level said that promotion is a repeat of a program that ran last year for the first time. It offers shoppers a 5-pound boneless Decker ham or an 8- to 10-pound packer-style USDA Choice whole beef brisket in exchange for 10 Easter points. Customers earn the points every time they spend $30 or more at Kroger between Jan. 14 and April 6. They pick up their free hams or briskets between March 31 and April 6.

The ad, in Easter colors of yellow, purple and green, informed readers that "Total Value Means . . . Something Special in Your Basket During Our Egg-cellent Easter Giveaway."