The Kroger Southwest Division Launches New Marketing Campaign: Low Prices Plus More

HOUSTON, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Since 1955 the Kroger Southwest Division (NYSE: KR), (www.kroger.com), the market share leader among traditional grocers in two of the top 10 cities in the United States – Houston and Dallas – has provided Texans with quality products, value pricing, outstanding service and an exceptional shopping experience. Serving more than 1.5 million households every week, the Kroger Southwest Division reaffirms its commitment to offering customers Low Prices Plus More through value-added services and exceptional stores that are stocked with a tremendous variety of national and store-brand items.

"Kroger continues to be a leader in meeting customers' ever-changing household needs. We recognize that over the past few years, families have changed their lifestyles and purchase styles but still desire quality products at an affordable cost along with friendly customer service," says Bill Breetz, president of the Kroger Southwest Division. "In 2009, we saved Texas shoppers over $32 million through our various money-saving features like our everyday senior discount, coupon and fuel rewards programs."

On any given day, more than 10,000 yellow tags are lined along the shelves that indicate deeper cost savings for customers at the 209 stores in the Kroger Southwest Division. Last year, Kroger invested an additional $28 million to reduce prices in its meat, produce, and beauty and health departments to save shoppers money on hundreds of popular items. Looking ahead, Kroger will continue to monitor market prices on a daily basis to stay competitive.

Kroger is a leader in offering a number of convenient, cost-saving programs. A point of difference over competition is that the Kroger Plus card not only allows shoppers to benefit from significant price deals, but provides Kroger the opportunity to notify customers of product recalls during a crisis by way of the receipt tape and a phone call. More than 90 percent of Kroger customers use their Kroger Plus card to save up to $.10 off per gallon at the pump, double and triple the value of coupons, and load and redeem digital, clip-free coupons. Senior customers, those 59 and older, also receive the benefit of a 10 percent discount on all store-brand products like cereal, bread, housewares, and skin care and cosmetics when they use their Kroger Plus card.

Kroger is committed to partnering with hunger-relief groups and organizations that support education, women's health and wellness, and diversity programs to make a difference in the communities it serves. Division-wide, Kroger donated over $8 million in cash and product donations in 2009 to regional hunger-relief agencies to support the growing fight against hunger.

The Kroger Southwest Division will continue the trend of allocating capital to build new Kroger Marketplace and Kroger Signature stores in underserved communities. Kroger will also remodel existing locations to keep them fresh and innovative using the latest environmentally-friendly building methods and materials. In 2010, the Kroger Southwest Division will create new job opportunities in Texas and Louisiana through the opening of two new stores, seven fuel centers and 22 remodels. Currently the Division employs 26,000 associates.

"As our market share continues to grow, we have the opportunity to show new customers the strength of our company values," says Bill Breetz, president of the Kroger Southwest Division.

About Kroger – The Kroger Southwest Division operates 209 stores and 90 fuel centers in Texas and Louisiana and is part of one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains serving customers in 31 states. For more than 125 years Kroger has emphasized a customer-first approach to providing quality products, value pricing, outstanding service and an exceptional shopping experience. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the supermarket retailer is dedicated to making a difference in the communities it serves by supporting hunger relief, education, women's health and wellness, and diversity programs. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

SOURCE Kroger