Kroger Co. The

Specialty Retail

GENERAL INFO

Headquarters: Cincinnati, OH
Company stats

NEWS AND UPDATES

Vault's Scoop

Uppers

Extensive job training;Stock options;Casual dress code

Downers

Long work days for store managers;Low pay;Irregular hours

ABOUT THIS COMPANY:

Kroger's grocery list

The Kroger Company is one of the largest grocery store chains in the U.S., and the No.-1 "pure" grocery chain in the country. The company operates more than 3,800 stores in 32 states under about two dozen banners, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers and City Market. Kroger offers customers much more than groceries. In many of its supermarkets, shoppers can fill a prescription at an in-store pharmacy, renew a driver's license and do their banking. In 14 states, customers can even fill up their gas tanks at one of Kroger's service stations. At its multi-department stores (homily dubbed Fred Meyer and Fry's Marketplace), customers can also shop for apparel and general merchandise.

The chain includes 2,535 supermarkets in 32 states; 100 grocery stores through its Dillon Companies subsidiary; 800 convenience stores under names like Quik Stop and Kwik Shop; more than 125 Fred Meyer superstores, which offer groceries, jewelry and miscellaneous items; and 41 manufacturing plants. For the fiscal year 2003, Kroger racked up sales of $53.8 billion.

From tea, to groceries, to supermarkets

Barney Kroger started the Great Western Tea Company in Cincinnati in 1883. After opening 40 stores and expanding into Kentucky, the company changed its name to Kroger Grocery and Baking Company in 1902. Four decades later, after an extended period of growth, the name was changed again to The Kroger Company. By 1952, annual sales had topped $1 billion. In 1972, Kroger opened its first superstore in Barberton, Ohio. Five years later, it had grown into the nation's second largest grocer. In 1999, Kroger moved into the No.-1 spot following its $12.8 billion merger with Portland, Ore.-based Fred Meyer, upping its total number of grocery stores to 2,200. The same year, Kroger also picked up 74 Winn-Dixie stores in Texas and Oklahoma, and bought Kessel Food Markets Inc., adding another 20 stores in Michigan. The Federal Trade Commission held up the Winn-Dixie deal in June 2000, though, on grounds that it created a monopoly in the Fort Worth area. Kroger soon backed out of the deal.

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REVIEWS

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SALARIES

Kroger Co. The salary & compensation reviews include all signing and year-end bonuses, vacation time and other perks and reimbursements that make up total compensation.

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SURVEY SAYS

Great atmosphere compensates (sort of) for pay

Kroger store managers "regularly" work 50-60 hours each week, often at "irregular times." While some employees say that Kroger's pay scale "beats most other grocery chains hands down," others complain that "they have a tendency to make us feel like we're underpaid for what we do." One employee states, "The pay for new hires is not that good." Most co-managers start out making "about $26,000 or more." Although some may be disgruntled by the salary, benefits hit the mark: "As a company we have very good benefits for the management." Kroger offers its employees a 401(k) plan, an educational assistance program, and a stock purchase plan. Perks include a "$5,000 potential bonus per year."

When it comes to women and minorities, Kroger employees say that there are very few that "hold positions in Kroger; however, the positions they hold are key to the operation." One source states that "each division is a little different," but in the store arena, "the company is very proactive on hiring women and especially minority women." When it comes to management at Kroger, it's the luck of the draw: "Depending on where you are at, you could have a great store manager, a lousy one, or one who is indifferent." Another employee agrees: "Sometimes management fits the Dilbert mold. That's when I feel like screaming."

Despite the howling, most employees seem very satisfied with life at Kroger. "The environment is fast-paced, ever changing with technological advances, and offers great opportunities for those who are willing to work hard," beams one happy worker. Reports another insider, "I appreciate the tight-knit, family-oriented corporate atmosphere." Employees at the corporate office also appreciate the "business casual" dress code and the free lunchtime events that the company sponsors.

DISCUSSIONS

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Getting Hired

Tips from the inside

Hiring overview

Kroger fills most openings through internal promotion, but does occasionally advertise openings in local newspapers and on its web site. In addition, the corporate headquarters accepts unsolicited resumes, which applicants should send via regular mail. For management careers, Kroger recruits on campuses, through the individual stores and at job fairs. Requirements for management positions include a 2.5 GPA or higher, strong oral and written communications skills, and ability to delegate responsibility. New hires must complete an 18-week training program called the Learner Controlled Instruction (LCI). Once completed, workers in Kroger's Management Training Program are promoted to co-manager and progress through the management ranks until they are promoted to the headquarters. Individual stores conduct their own hiring for retail employees.

The web site outlines some of the positions available in retail store management, manufacturing, and at corporate headquarters. There is a list of addresses for retail options; manufacturing resumes can be e-mailed to manufacturing.resume@kroger.com; resumes for any of the jobs listed on the web site can be e-mailed to resume@kroger.com. And of course, fax and snail mail are always options. General questions will be answered at is.resume@kroger.com.

For more information, visit http://www.kroger.com/careers.htm to look for job openings and descriptions.
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