GETTY Image / Wall Street JournalON THE NEWS
Why Kroger Is Trying to Be More Like Walmart -- Wall Street Journal, Sept. 29, 2026:
One of its biggest problems was pricing. Walmart and discount retailers were luring shoppers—who were reeling from inflation—with lower prices than Kroger’s. The discounters offered generally low prices every day, while Kroger stuck with temporary sales on key products, a practice known as high-low pricing.
Kroger’s annual profit fell 62% in 2025 from the prior year to $1.01 billion. The company’s stock is down about 10% over the past 12 months.
Foran wants Kroger to move away from its high-low pricing roots and more often offer everyday low prices, according to one of the people familiar with the situation, a tactic widely used by Walmart to create the impression of year-round value.
Yet another Business doodle.
DOC NGU's DOODLE
Walmart is known for grocery and all kinds of merchandise. Kroger is known for grocery and what else? Kroger should concentrate on developing its "what else".Grocery is like raw material. Meals are the final product, which is the realm of restaurants. The "what else" for Kroger is to develop the "between" raw material and final product.
Gemini summarizes the "between" Kroger currently offers. Its CEO should concentrate extending these offers, creating new "between" offers, and elevating them with promotions and low price.
Kroger does not offer a traditional sit-down cafeteria or hot buffet line, but it does provide an extensive selection of ready-to-eat hot deli meals, ready-to-heat packaged dishes, and ready-to-cook kit options.
1. Ready-to-Eat / Hot Deli Items ("Cafeteria-Style" Alternatives)
While you won't walk through a tray-line like a cafeteria, the Kroger Fresh Deli & Bakery counter offers hot, pre-cooked comfort foods served by weight or in meal bundles:Hot Mains: Fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, 5-piece chicken tenders, and pulled pork.
Hot & Cold Sides: Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, and corn bread.
Meal Bundles: Value deals such as a roasted or fried chicken paired with two family-sized sides for a quick dinner.
2. Ready-to-Cook & Heat-and-Eat Packages
Kroger stocks several store-brand and partner lines designed for minimal prep or fast oven/microwave heating:Home Chef (In-Store Kits & Oven-Ready Pans)
Kroger owns Home Chef, featuring dedicated meal kit displays in the fresh perimeter section:Oven-Ready Entrees: Pre-portioned meats, vegetables, and sauces packaged directly inside aluminum baking tins (e.g., Garlic Herb Butter Salmon, Teriyaki Beef, or Chicken Marsala). You simply remove the film and bake in the oven—no chopping required.
Express Meal Kits: Pre-portioned ingredients packaged together to cook on the stove in under 15–20 minutes.
Private Selection & Deli Kitchen "Heat & Eat"
In the refrigerated deli coolers, Kroger offers single- and multi-serving oven/microwave-ready meals:Entrees: Private Selection® Ready to Cook Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Braised Beef, Lemon Basil Chicken with Potatoes, and Macaroni & Cheese.
Soups & Bowls: Kettle-cooked soups, pasta dishes, and protein bowls designed to microwave in 2 to 3 minutes.
Quick Comparison
Meal Category Where in Kroger Prep / Cook Needed Hot Deli Meals Fresh Deli Counter None (Served hot, ready to eat) Heat & Eat Entrees Refrigerated Deli / Deli Kitchen 2–5 mins (Microwave or quick oven warm-up) Home Chef Oven-Ready Produce / Home Chef Section 20–30 mins (Pop tin directly into the oven) Home Chef Meal Kits Produce / Home Chef Section 15–30 mins (Light stovetop cooking)
