USA: Kroger shuts down Fresh Eats MKT c-store concept
Fresh Eats MKT, the hybrid convenience concept launched in 2017 by The Kroger Co., closed both of its stores last week.
The Kroger Co. closed last week its two Fresh Eats MKT concept stories in Columbus, Ohio, report online media. With the closure of these two locations, the supermarket retailer has taken another step away from the convenience store business, as the company sold its c-store network to EG Group Ltd in 2018.
Cincinnati-based Kroger launched the Fresh Eats MKT concept in May 2017 as “a different kind of a convenience store,” according to then executive vice president and chief financial officer Mike Schlotman. Fresh Eats offered elements of grocery, foodservice, and convenience concepts in stores of 12,000 square feet.
“As part of a portfolio review, we have made the decision to discontinue the Fresh Eats MKT concept,” a Kroger spokesperson said to CSP Daily News. “From the pilot, we have learned many things about how to provide quality, fresh and new foods to our customers. We will incorporate these learnings in other parts of our business.”
Kroger announced last year that it would hold investments to more rigid return hurdles as the company works to meet financial goals and have funds available to invest in digital transformation. This announcement was followed by Kroger’s withdrawing support from Lucky’s Markets, the natural foods concept that shortly afterward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Kroger runs approximately 2,760 supermarkets and about 1,530 and filling stations under a variety of banners in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The Kroger c-store banners included Kwik Shop, Loaf 'N Jug, Quik Stop Markets, Tom Thumb Food Stores, Turkey Hill Minit Markets and Smith’s Express, as well as one c-store under the "Kroger" banner.
