Kroger's Faster Checkout Initiative Ranks 3rd in InformationWeek Elite 100

CINCINNATI, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) innovative technology solution to speed up checkout wait times, called QueVision, has earned the company a number 3 ranking in the InformationWeek Elite 100 – a list of the top business technology innovators in the U.S.  Kroger received the award last night at the InformationWeek conference in Las Vegas.

"Kroger is honored to be recognized for developing innovative technology solutions to meet customer needs – what we call Customer 1^st innovation – in the InformationWeek Elite 100," said Chris Hjelm, Kroger's chief information officer. "What makes us most proud is how our associates – in Retail Operations and Kroger Technology, and store front end managers, cashiers and courtesy clerks – worked together to both scale QueVision across more than 2,400 stores and to execute it so successfully."  

Kroger's pioneering QueVision uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics to arm store front-end managers with real-time data to make sure registers are open when customers need them.  As a result, the Kroger family of stores has reduced the time a customer waits in line to check out, on average, from four minutes before QueVision was deployed to less than 30 seconds today.

"Every day, we are returning precious minutes to our time-strapped customers by shortening the time they wait to checkout," said Marnette Perry, Kroger's senior vice president of strategic initiatives and operations. "We continue to employ technology to improve the shopping experience and deliver value to our growing base of loyal customers."

Read more about Kroger's QueVision technology in InformationWeek and view the ranking of InformationWeek Elite 100 winners.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.  The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food processing plants in the U.S.  Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.