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Kroger has announced a $1.25 million renovation for its West Broadway store in Louisville, with plans to enhance the shopping experience for customers.
The company will update the store's shelving, decor, lighting, and exterior signage to create a more welcoming environment. The store will remain open during the renovations, ensuring customers can continue shopping as usual.
Kroger Plans Renovation to Transform West Broadway Store
Kroger is focusing on improving the selection of fresh foods and expanding the variety of products available. These changes are aimed at providing the local community with better options and a more pleasant shopping experience.
In addition to the store improvements, Kroger has announced a significant investment in its employees. A total of $500,000 will be allocated to increase wages at the West Broadway location.
According to WDRB, courtesy clerks will see their starting wage rise to $14.70 per hour, while department leaders will start at $25.85 per hour.
Jake Cannon, Kroger's Division President, expressed pride in the company's long-standing presence in West Louisville.
"We recognize Kroger's unique role in the communities that we serve. We are committed to serving our west Louisville neighborhood as an employer, grocery retailer, healthcare provider and more," Cannon said in a statement.
The store's operating hours were recently extended until 9 p.m., following concerns from the local community about early closures. Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, representing District 1, worked with Kroger management to address this issue.
However, she also highlighted the need for the community to tackle the problem of theft, which has been a contributing factor to the store's operational challenges.
The West Broadway Kroger is one of only two major grocery stores serving the West Louisville area, with the other located at 35th and Bank streets in the Portland neighborhood. Kroger's investment in the West Broadway store comes at a time when the city is grappling with the challenge of attracting new grocery stores to the area.
In 2022, Metro councilman Jecorey Arthur revealed that the city had offered $3.5 million in incentives to bring a new grocery store to the area, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Arthur has suggested that the city should reconsider these incentives and explore the possibility of establishing a public grocery store if private grocers remain hesitant, WLKY reported.
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Kroger Pursues $1 Billion Albertsons Merger Amid Antitrust Challenges
Kroger's announcement also comes as the company pursues a merger with Albertsons, a smaller grocery chain. The $1 billion proposed deal, which was first announced in October 2022, has faced several antitrust lawsuits over concerns about potential price increases.
According to Bloomberg, the merger would create a grocery giant with over 4,000 stores across the country. However, the deal has been put on hold pending a ruling from the Colorado District Court, with a trial scheduled to begin on September 30.
Kroger has committed to reducing grocery prices by $1 billion if the merger with Albertsons goes through, doubling a previous commitment to cut prices by $500 million at Albertsons locations.
The start date for the West Broadway store's renovation has not yet been announced.
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