Kroger news roundup: All-self-checkout store tested in Tennessee

The Kroger Co. confirmed that it’s piloting a store in Tennessee with checkout lanes that are all self-service.

The Cool Springs Kroger supermarket at 2020 Mallory La. in Franklin offers new wide-belt, self-checkout stations, which the Cincinnati-based grocer said enables shoppers to load on more items. In addition, the conversion to all-self-checkout brings more lanes ready for use by customers.

Customers at the Franklin store were mostly self-checkout users before the change, which made the location a good candidate for going all self-service, according to Kroger. The switch to all self-checkout was completed last Friday.

“Kroger is always looking for ways to improve the customer and associate experience and ensure a smooth and friendly checkout. We have implemented a self-checkout model at a location in our Tennessee division, where customers were already primarily using self-checkout,” a Kroger spokesperson said in a statement. “This improvement includes the addition of new belted checkout lanes to accommodate customers with larger baskets and increases the number of checkout lanes now available to customers at this store.”

Store staff are on hand to help customers at the self-checkout stations, and no jobs were cut with the conversion.

“Kroger associates remain at checkout, assisting customers scan and bag groceries. No reduction in labor occurred as a result of this change, and the location is currently hiring new associates to join the Kroger family,” the spokesperson added.

Plans call for another Nashville division store, the Hillsboro Village Kroger, to shift to all self-checkout later this year, published reports said.

Overall, Kroger now operates 14 Ocado-powered spoke sites, including in Miama (see above), to help fulfill online grocery orders. / Photo courtesy of Kroger

Kroger opens another Ocado spoke in Kentucky

On Thursday, Kroger reported the official opening of a second Ocado-automated “spoke” site in Kentucky, a 2,000-square-foot facility in Independence.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had announced the project, which will create about 100 jobs, in early June. Built in an existing building, the Independence spoke serves as a cross-docking site in supporting Kroger’s 375,000-square-foot, Ocado-powered customer fulfillment center (CFC) in Monroe, Ohio, which picks, packs and delivers online grocery orders.

“We are thrilled to expand our offerings to northern Kentucky and connect more customers to the Kroger Delivery shopping experience, which brings thousands of digital coupons, valuable fuel points and the freshest products—including Our Brands [private label]— directly to customers' doors,” Rebekah Manis, senior director of Kroger Delivery fulfillment centers, said in a statement. “Our customers are actively looking for ways to save, and Kroger Delivery offers a fresh, affordable and personalized shopping experience with zero-compromise on affordability, selection and convenience. Whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger.com, customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered by best-in-class uniformed drivers.”

The Independence ancillary facility marks Kroger’s smallest yet by far. Thirteen other spokes are now in operation and range from 40,000 to 80,000 square feet. Kroger has said these larger spokes can handle extra online order capacity expand delivery service of the CFC “hubs” to up to 200 miles.

Revamped Kroger Health Savings Club gets under way

Kroger Health, the health care services arm of The Kroger Co., has launched an upgraded version of its Kroger Health Savings Club (KHSC) membership program that serves up more prescription drug savings for more medications.

Announced this week, the program revamp brings club members up to 85% savings on thousands of prescription medicines, Kroger Health said. The KHSC membership powered by RxSense includes individual and family options that allows participants to save on their medications even when the drugs aren’t covered by their insurance plans. KHSC prices may be lower than Kroger’s retail prices or customers’ co-payment or co-insurance benefit, according to Kroger Health.

KHSC memberships cost $36 per year for individuals and $72 a year for families, with the latter membership accommodating up to six household members, including pets. Members cannot combine KHSC savings with any federal, state or employee-funded coverage—such as Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance—or use KHSC at the same time as another drug discount program.

“We are proud to announce the relaunch of the Kroger Health Savings Club, which will provide greater accessibility and affordability for prescription medications,” Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz stated. “Our goal is to empower individuals to prioritize their health by relieving the financial burden of costly medications. We hope to continue expanding these services for the communities we serve in an effort to help our customers live healthier lives.”

Recently, all Kroger Co. pharmacies started accepting the prescription benefits card from pharmaceutical provider Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. The drug company’s card, called the Team Cuban Card, helps participating consumers find generic medications at a significant savings through its affiliated pharmacy network.