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The biggest growth was in its digital sales business, which boosted 31 percent over the same quarter last year. The largest area grocery provider has been investing in its Restock Kroger program to redefine the grocery experience, including pickup, ship and delivery through third party providers.
In the second quarter, Kroger expanded to 1,780 Pickup locations and 2,225 delivery locations, covering 95 percent of Kroger households. It also expanded a Walgreens pilot that offers a small selection of Kroger products in Walgreens stores.
The grocer also embraced its in-house labels, growing sales of its Our Brands category 3.1 percent and launching 203 new items. It also recently announced plans to launch new Simple Truth Plant Based products including faux meat burgers and dairy products each month.
Kroger’s adjusted earnings per share rose 7 percent to 44 cents a share.
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