Smith's and Food 4 Less Ratify Agreement with UFCW 711

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Smith's and Food 4 Less Ratify Agreement with UFCW 711 CINCINNATI, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) associates working at Smith's Food and Drug and Food 4 Less in Las Vegas, Nevada have ratified a new labor agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 711. "We are pleased to reach an agreement that provides our associates more money, high-quality affordable health care and a company-funded pension at retirement," said Mark Tuffin, President of Smith's. "I want to thank our associates for their patience during this process and for the excellent service they provide every day to our customers and our company," said Bryan Kaltenbach, President of Food 4 Less. The contract covers 3,657 Smith's associates and 801 Food 4 Less associates. It includes 32 Smith's stores and 14 Food 4 Less stores operating in the Las Vegas area. Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,435 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 791 convenience stores, 348 fine jewelry stores, 1,090 supermarket fuel centers and 39 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 in the communities it serves. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 125 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Media: Keith Dailey, +1-513-762-1304; Investors: Cindy Holmes, +1-513-762-4969 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

News Release Fred Meyer and QFC Associates Ratify Agreements with UFCW Local 555
News Release Fred Meyer and QFC Associates Ratify Agreements with UFCW Local 555 PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) associates working at Fred Meyer and QFC stores in Portland and throughoutOregon and Southwest Washington have ratified new labor agreements with UFCW Local 555. "We are pleased to reach agreements that are good for our associates and enable us to be competitive in very competitive market areas," said Lynn Gust, Fred Meyer's president. "These agreements provide our associates with additional compensation, affordable health care and pension for retirement." "Our associates will continue to have one of the best total compensation packages in our industry, in our region," said Joe Fey, QFC's president. "I want to thank our associates for their patience, for supporting this agreement, and for the excellent service they provide every day to our customers." The 44 labor agreements cover 6,007 associates working at Fred Meyer and 368 associates at QFC. About Kroger Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,425 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 788 convenience stores, 342 fine jewelry stores, 1,124 supermarket fuel centers and 37 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 in the communities it serves.
[Show full text]
News Release
News Release Kroger Bringing Help and Hope for the Holidays CINCINNATI, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Many families in need will have fresh, wholesome food and clothing, shelter and social services this holiday season thanks to The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) customers and associates who shop and work at its family of stores. "Kroger has a proud history of investing in our communities and a rich tradition of bringing help and hope for the holidays," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger'sgroup vice president of corporate affairs. "In keeping with that tradition, we are making it easy for our customers and associates to support their local food banks and The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in our family of stores this holiday season." Feeding Hungry Neighbors As a founding partner of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger agency, Kroger has been engaged in the hunger relief effort for more than 30 years. Today, the Kroger family of stores has longstanding relationships with more than 80 local food banks. This holiday season, customers can help, too, thanks to a variety of simple donation opportunities. Making a financial donation to a local food bank is as easy as scanning a pre-marked tag at registers, asking the cashier to 'round up' a grocery order, or place spare change in specially-marked coin boxes at Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith's stores. Major food drives will be held at many Kroger stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia andWest Virginia; Fred Meyer stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington; and in City Market, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, King Soopers and Smith's stores.
[Show full text]
Region 001-004
July 2021 Price Region County Store Name Store Address City Zip 001 BASTROP BROOKSHIRE BROS #55 501 NW LOOP 230 SMITHVILLE 78957 001 BASTROP HEB #475 1080 EAST HIGHWAY 290 ELGIN 78621 001 BASTROP HEB #582 104 HASLER BLVD BASTROP 78602 001 BASTROP WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #1042 488 HWY 71 WEST BASTROP 78602 001 BASTROP WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #3170 1320 W HIGHWAY 290 ELGIN 78621 001 BELL BROOKSHIRE BROS #69 215 MILL CREEK DRIVE #100 SALADO 76571 001 BELL HEB #039 2509 NORTH MAIN STREET BELTON 76513 001 BELL HEB #071 1314 WEST ADAMS TEMPLE 76504 001 BELL HEB #182 3002 SOUTH 31ST STREET TEMPLE 76502 001 BELL HEB #381 601 INDIAN TRAIL HARKER HEIGHTS 76548 001 BELL HEB #581 2511 TRIMMIER ROAD STE 100 KILLEEN 76542 001 BELL HEB #721 1101 W STAN SCHULUETER LP KILLEEN 76549 001 BELL KILLEEN NUTRITIONAL CENTER 107 SANTA FE PLAZA DRIVE KILLEEN 76541 001 BELL WAL-MART NBH MKT #6459 960 EAST FM 2410 HARKER HEIGHTS 76548 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #1232 2604 NORTH MAIN STREET BELTON 76513 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #3319 2020 HEIGHTS DRIVE HARKER HEIGHTS 76548 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #407 1400 LOWES BLVD KILLEEN 76542 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #6286 3404 W STAN SCHLUETER LOOP KILLEEN 76549 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #6929 6801 W ADAMS AVENUE TEMPLE 76502 001 BELL WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #746 3401 SOUTH 31ST STREET TEMPLE 76502 001 BELL WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MKT #3449 3801 E STAN SCHLUETER LOOP KILLEEN 76542 001 BELL WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MKT #3450 2900 CLEAR CREEK RD KILLEEN 76549 001 BELL FORT HOOD COMMISSARY II WARRIOR WAY & 10TH BLDG 85020
[Show full text]
National Weeks of Action: Show Kroger What They'd Be Missing
National Weeks of Action: Show Kroger What They’d Be Missing without Bees and Other Pollinators Thank you for joining thousands of people coast-to-coast to swarm Kroger stores the weeks surrounding Labor Day (August 26 – September 10) to urge Kroger to stop selling food grown with bee-killing pesticides. We need your help to turn up the heat on Kroger by demonstrating how many sales they would lose if they don’t stop selling food grown with bee-killing pesticides. If Kroger doesn’t help combat pollinator decline, the retailer and its customers are going to lose the most delicious and nutritious foods that stock store shelves and make up a big chunk of Kroger’s bottom line! We’re asking folks across the country to take two pictures of their grocery cart. One picture with all the food you’d purchase at Kroger pollinated by bees and one with only food not pollinated by bees! This Kroger photo action is easy. Below are some tips to help. If you have any questions or need help preparing, please drop us a line at [email protected] or call 202-222-0738 To learn more visit www.foe.org/beeaction. I. Instructions for Kroger Photo Action: 1) Pick a day and time to go grocery shopping at one of Kroger’s supermarkets between August 26 and September 10 (work this into your Labor Day or normal weekly shopping!). 2) Find a Kroger store near you by entering your zip code into the following website: • https://www.kroger.com/stores/storeLocator • Note: Kroger operates under a lot of different brand names! Kroger’s brands include Delta, Dillon, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralph’s, Roundy’s and Smith’s.
[Show full text]
Kroger: Value Trap Or Value Investment - a Deep Due Diligence Dive
Kroger: Value Trap Or Value Investment - A Deep Due Diligence Dive seekingalpha.com /article/4115509-kroger-value-trap-value-investment-deep-due-diligence-dive Chuck 10/23/2017 Walston The acquisition of Whole Foods Market, announced by Amazon ( AMZN) last June sent shockwaves through the grocery industry. 1/20 When the deal was finalized in August, Amazon announced plans to lower the prices of certain products by as much as a third. The company also hinted at additional price reductions in the future. Amazon Prime members will be given special savings and other in-store benefits once the online retail giant integrates its point of sale system into Whole Foods stories. 2/20 Analysts immediately predicted a future of widespread margin cuts across the industry. Well before Amazon's entry into stick and brick groceries, Kroger ( KR) experienced deterioration in comparable store sales. 3/20 (Source: Kroger Investor Presentation slideshow) (Source: SEC Filings via SA contributor Quad 7 Capital) Additionally, Kroger's recent results reflect gross margin compression. 4/20 (Source: SEC Filings via SA contributor Quad 7 Capital) After the takeover, Whole Foods initiated a price war. According to Reuters, prices at a Los Angeles Whole Foods store are lower on some products than comparable goods sold in a nearby Ralph's store owned by Kroger. The Threat From Amazon Research conducted by Foursquare Labs Inc. indicates the publicity surrounding Amazon's recent acquisition of Whole Foods, combined with the announcement of deep price cuts, resulted in a 25% surge in customer traffic. Not content to attack conventional grocers with their panoply of online food services and margin cuts, Amazon registered a trademark application for a meal-kit service.
[Show full text]
A Sustainable Future
KROGER’S 2019 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORT A Sustainable Future 2019 We imagine a better future for SUSTAINABILITY people and the planet — a world REPORT with Zero Hunger | Zero Waste. 2019 SUSTAINABILITY Contents REPORT About About This Zero Hunger | Kroger Report Zero Waste Operations Letter from Our Zero Hunger Chairman & CEO Governance Zero Waste 2020 Sustainability Engagement Goals Zero Heroes Report Overview ESG Index Our Customers & Communities Our People Our Planet Our Products Customer Satisfaction Talent Attraction Zero Waste Better-for-You & Digital Innovation & Retention Products Food Waste Health & Nutrition Associate Health Sustainable Product Energy & Emissions & Safety Packaging Food Access Water Responsible Sourcing Community Engagement Supply Chain Accountability Food Safety GRI Index 2018 Awards PAGE 1 \\ THE KROGER FAMILY OF COMPANIES 2019 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Our Customers Our People Our Planet Our Products & Communities PAGE 2 \\ THE KROGER FAMILY OF COMPANIES 2019 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT About Kroger GRI 102-1, 102-3, 102-5 BECOMING KROGER In 1883, Barney Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to open a grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati. The son of a merchant, he ran his business with a simple motto: “Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself.” This credo served Kroger well over the next 136 years as the supermarket business evolved into a variety of formats aimed at satisfying the ever-changing needs of shoppers. The Kroger Co. is a publicly held corpora- tion (NYSE: KR). Still based in Cincinnati, Kroger operates nearly 2,800 stores under two dozen banners, ranking as one of the world’s largest retailers.
[Show full text]
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: Agenda Item: Agenda Location: Work Plan # Legal Review: St 1 Reading November 10, 2016 Action Items 2Nd Reading
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: Agenda Item: Agenda Location: Work Plan # Legal Review: st 1 Reading November 10, 2016 Action Items nd 2 Reading Subject: A resolution approving an agreement for Economic Development Incentives between the City of Thornton and Dillon Companies, Inc., a Kansas Corporation DBA King Soopers. Recommended by: John Cody Approved by: Jack Ethredge Ordinance previously introduced by: Presenter(s): Julie Jacoby, Retail Administrator SYNOPSIS: Dillon Companies, Inc. intends to spend approximately $28 million to develop a 125,000 sq. ft. King Soopers Marketplace store located on the southwest corner of Quebec and 136th Avenue. The King Soopers Marketplace is an expanded store concept, selling groceries and household items, in addition to offering an expanded deli and bigger selections of organic and natural products. The overall project would be anchored by King Soopers Marketplace and include a King Soopers gas station and four to five retail pad sites for additional development. Dillon Companies, Inc. is requesting $3,000,000 in economic development incentives to assist in development of the project. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Alternative No. 1, approval of the incentive agreement because the development serves a public purpose by virtue of bringing needed services to a rapidly developing and underserved area of Thornton, the creation of new employment opportunities, enhancement of the City’s tax base, increased customer base, and increased retail products and services. BUDGET/STAFF IMPLICATIONS: The incentive would be a 50/50 sales tax sharing incentive of eligible sales tax revenues (Open Space taxes excluded) collected from King Soopers Marketplace for five years, not to exceed $3,000,000.
[Show full text]
Kroger Rival Whole Foods Expands Its Small-Store Concept
4/23/2019 Whole Foods adds small stores - Cincinnati Business Courier MENU Account FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF [email protected] From the Cincinnati Business Courier: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/12/12/kroger-rival-whole-foods-expands-its-small- store.html Kroger rival Whole Foods expands its small-store concept Amazon is working on tech that could make it happen, WSJ reports Dec 12, 2018, 2:42pm EST Updated: Dec 12, 2018, 2:51pm EST Whole Foods Market, a significant rival to Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., is adding several of its small-store locations known as 365 around the country, and another could be on the way in Cincinnati. Whole Foods, acquired by Amazon.com last year, opened two 365 stores in the Atlanta area today. Another is in the works in Austin, Texas, where Whole Foods is headquartered. The company planned to open one in San Francisco, too, although that location has run into roadblocks. TODD JOHNSON | SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES Whole Foods is expanding its 365 small-store The Atlanta openings make 12 stores for 365. Five are in California. concept. The closest one to Cincinnati is in Akron. Meanwhile, Whole Foods could be moving closer to opening a 365 store in Greater Cincinnati. It recently took out liquor permits for the store location in the Kenwood Collection building, where it’s leasing 30,000 square feet. Whole Foods officials haven’t commented on when that store will open. The company initially leased the space three years ago with plans to open in 2017, but the permits indicate an opening could take place relatively soon.
[Show full text]
Alabama Vendor List.Xlsx
AUTHORIZED VENDOR LIST BY CITY VENDOR NAME PHYSICAL ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE FOOD GIANT #716 100 W WASHINGTON ABBEVILLE ALABAMA 36310 SUPER DOLLAR DISCOUNT FOODS 3970 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY ADAMSVILLE ALABAMA 35005 HYATT'S MARKET INC 70 MCHANN ROAD ADDISON ALABAMA 35540 FOODLAND #450 509 HIGHWAY 119 SOUTH ALABASTER ALABAMA 35007 PUBLIX #1073 9200 HIGHWAY 119 Suite 1400 ALABASTER ALABAMA 35007 SAVE-A-LOT #202 244 1ST STREET ALABASTER ALABAMA 35007 WAL MART SUPERCENTER #423 630 COLONIAL PROMENADE PKWY ALABASTER ALABAMA 35007 ABRAMS PLACE 4556 COUNTY ROAD 29 ALBERTA ALABAMA 36720 ALBERTVILLE FOODLAND 313 SAND MOUNTAIN DRIVE ALBERTVILLE ALABAMA 35950 PIGGLY WIGGLY #500 250 HWY 75 N ALBERTVILLE ALABAMA 35950 SAVE-A-LOT #165 5850 US HWY 431 ALBERTVILLE ALABAMA 35950 PIGGLY WIGGLY #238 61 JEFFERSON STREET ALEXANDER CITY ALABAMA 35010 SAVE-A-LOT #489 1616 MILL SQUARE ALEXANDER CITY ALABAMA 35010 WAL MART SUPERCENTER #726 2643 HWY 280 W ALEXANDER CITY ALABAMA 35010 WINN DIXIE #456 1061 U.S. HWY. 280 EAST ALEXANDER CITY ALABAMA 35010 ALEXANDRIA FOODLAND 85 BIG VALLEY DRIVE ALEXANDRIA ALABAMA 36250 FOOD FARE 517 5TH ST NW ALICEVILLE ALABAMA 35442 PIGGLY WIGGLY #102 101 MEMORIAL PKWY E ALICEVILLE ALABAMA 35442 BURTON'S FOOD STORE 7010 7TH AVENUE ALTOONA ALABAMA 35952 CORNER MARKET/PIGGLY WIGGLY 13759 BROOKLYN ROAD ANDALUSIA ALABAMA 36420 COST PLUS #774 305 EAST THREE NOTCH STREET ANDALUSIA ALABAMA 36420 PIC N SAV #776 550 W BYPASS ANDALUSIA ALABAMA 36420 WAL MART SUPERCENTER #1091 1991 MARTIN LUTHER KING PKWY ANDALUSIA ALABAMA 36420 WINN DIXIE
[Show full text]
2020 Fact Book Kroger at a Glance KROGER FACT BOOK 2020 2 Pick up and Delivery Available to 97% of Custom- Ers
2020 Fact Book Kroger At A Glance KROGER FACT BOOK 2020 2 Pick up and Delivery available to 97% of Custom- ers PICK UP AND DELIVERY 2,255 AVAILABLE TO PHARMACIES $132.5B AND ALMOST TOTAL 2020 SALES 271 MILLION 98% PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED HOUSEHOLDS 31 OF NEARLY WE COVER 45 500,000 640 ASSOCIATES MILLION DISTRIBUTION COMPANY-WIDE CENTERS MEALS 34 DONATED THROUGH 100 FEEDING AMERICA FOOD FOOD BANK PARTNERS PRODUCTION PLANTS ARE 35 STATES ACHIEVED 2,223 ZERO WASTE & THE DISTRICT PICK UP 81% 1,596 LOCATIONS WASTE OF COLUMBIA SUPERMARKET DIVERSION FUEL CENTERS FROM LANDFILLS COMPANY WIDE 90 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD 2,742 RESCUED SUPERMARKETS & 2.3 MULTI-DEPARTMENT STORES BILLION kWh ONE OF AMERICA’S 9MCUSTOMERS $213M AVOIDED SINCE MOST RESPONSIBLE TO END HUNGER 2000 DAILY IN OUR COMMUNITIES COMPANIES OF 2021 AS RECOGNIZED BY NEWSWEEK KROGER FACT BOOK 2020 Table of Contents About 1 Overview 2 Letter to Shareholders 4 Restock Kroger and Our Priorities 10 Redefine Customer Expereince 11 Partner for Customer Value 26 Develop Talent 34 Live Our Purpose 39 Create Shareholder Value 42 Appendix 51 KROGER FACT BOOK 2020 ABOUT THE KROGER FACT BOOK This Fact Book provides certain financial and adjusted free cash flow goals may be affected changes in inflation or deflation in product and operating information about The Kroger Co. by: COVID-19 pandemic related factors, risks operating costs; stock repurchases; Kroger’s (Kroger®) and its consolidated subsidiaries. It is and challenges, including among others, the ability to retain pharmacy sales from third party intended to provide general information about length of time that the pandemic continues, payors; consolidation in the healthcare industry, Kroger and therefore does not include the new variants of the virus, the effect of the including pharmacy benefit managers; Kroger’s Company’s consolidated financial statements easing of restrictions, lack of access to vaccines ability to negotiate modifications to multi- and notes.
[Show full text]
Food Stores Restaurants, Cont Albertsons 4% Burger King 4
SCRIP CHOICES BY CATEGORY Revised 8/15 Food Stores Restaurants, Cont Albertsons 4% Burger King 4% * Sprouts 5% CA Pizza Kitchen 8% Stater Brothers 5% Chili’s/Macaroni 9% Target 2.50% Chipotle Mexican 10% Vons (Safeway) 4% Claim Jumper 9% * Walmart 2.50% Cold Stone Creamery 8% * Dairy Queen 3% Coffee Shops Dave & Busters 13% Coffee Bean 9% El Torito 8% * Peets Coffee & Tea 8% * IHOP 8% Starbucks 7% Islands 8% KFC 8% * Books, Music & Things Lucille’s BBQ 20% Amazon 3% Mimi’s Café 10% Barnes & Noble 9% Olive Garden 9% iTunes 5% Outback Steak House 8% * P.F. Chang’s 8% Gas Panda Express 8% * Arco 1.50% Panera Bread 9% Exxon/Mobil 1.50% Rainforest Café 9% * Shell 2.50% Red Robin 9% Restaurant.com 50% Department Stores Souplantation 8% JC Penney 5% * Texas Road House 8% * K-Mart 4% * Yard House 9% Kohls 4% * Macy’s 10% Specialty Stores Marshalls 7% * Auto Zone 8% * Target 2.50% Bath & Body Works 13% Sears 4% * Bed, Bath & Beyond 7% Walmart 2.50% Big 5 Sporting Goods 8% * CVS Pharmacy 6% Clothing Claires 9% * Babies R Us/Toys R Us 3% * Dick's Sporting Goods 8% * Burlington Coat Factory 8% * Hallmark 4% * Buy Buy Baby 7% * HomeGoods 7% * Children's Place 12% * JoAnn Fabric 6% * Disney 3% * Micheal's 4% * Express 10% * Pep Boys 4% * Famous Footwear 8% * Petco 5% * Footlocker/Lady Footlocker 9% * PetSmart 4% * Gap 14% * Pier 1 Imports 9% * Gymboree 13% * Pottery Barn 8% * Men's Wearhouse 4% * Rite-Aid 4% * Motherhood Maternity 8% * See’s Chocolate 9-20% Old Navy 14% * Sephora 5% * TJ Maxx/Marshalls 7% * Stein Mart 7% * Supercuts 8% * Online Shopping Ulta 4% * QVC 5% * Walgreens 6% * LL Bean 16% * William Sonoma 8% * Overstock.com 8% * Shutterfly 9% * Travel Zappos.com 8% * Carnival Cruise 8% * 1-800- Flowers 12% * Celebrity Cruise Line 9% * Comfort Inn/Suites 3% * Restaurants Econolodge 3% * Applebee’s 8% Fairmont Hotels 10% * Arby's 8% * Hilton 9% * Black Angus 12% Hyatt Hotels 10% * Blue Water Grill 5% * Royal Carribean 9% * *Please pre-order, if we find we have a lot of pre-orders we will stock.
[Show full text]
Market Structure Analysis of Florida Metropolitan and Micropolitan
Retail Grocery Market Structure Analysis of Virginia Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas Prepared for Virginia Community Capital (VCC) by The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) as part of the ReFresh initiative, supported by JPMorgan Chase | February 2015 Retail Grocery Market Structure Analysis of Virginia Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas Prepared for Virginia Community Capital (VCC) by The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) as part of the ReFresh initiative, supported by JPMorgan Chase | February 2015 TRF’s Market Structure Analysis measures the concentration of market share within a region’s retail grocery industry. In general, as the concentration of market share within the top few grocers increases, the region’s overall level of competition within the industry decreases as it evolves into a tighter oligopoly.1 An oligopoly is a market condition in which the supply of a good or service is largely controlled by a small number of entities, each of which is in a position to influence prices, thus directly affecting its competitors’ ability to sustain profitability. After decades of mergers, acquisitions, and emphasis on economies of scale, the retail grocery industry has naturally evolved into an oligopoly, ranging in intensity from tight (fewer majority owners) to loose (more majority owners), based on the number of owning entities controlling the majority market share.2 TRF’s experience with the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative suggests that a tight oligopoly in at least one Pennsylvania metro area made market penetration especially difficult for local and regional grocers that were not members of the oligopoly. Conversely, loose oligopolies with less concentrated market share exhibited fewer barriers to entry for prospective grocers.
[Show full text]