Kroger Adds 16 to Shopping Cart

The Kroger Co. (Cincinnati), the country's largest supermarket chain, has completed the purchase of 16 new stores from Fleming Companies (Lewisville, Texas) — 15 Baker's Stores and one Food 4 Less warehouse store, all in the Omaha, Neb., area. The stores will continue to operate under their existing banners as part of Kroger's Dillon Stores division (based in Hutchinson, Kan.). The move marks Kroger's first entry into Nebraska.

At the end of the fourth quarter, Kroger operated 2354 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under nearly two dozen banners, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith's, King Soopers,Dillon, Fry's, City Market, Food 4 Less and Quality Food Centers. Kroger also operates 789 convenience stores, 398 fine jewelry stores, 77 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants.