Kroger customers get deliciously good news

Tight-on-time Kroger shoppers got some good news this week, when the 143-year-old grocery retailer announced new additions to its Private Selection brand. More than 20 new convenience meals, including frozen entrees, refrigerated deli items, and freshly-roasted chicken, will be hitting shelves at Kroger stores across the country this month, the company said in a statement…


Kroger customers get deliciously good news
Kroger customers get deliciously good news

Tight-on-time Kroger shoppers got some good news this week, when the 143-year-old grocery retailer announced new additions to its Private Selection brand.

More than 20 new convenience meals, including frozen entrees, refrigerated deli items, and freshly-roasted chicken, will be hitting shelves at Kroger stores across the country this month, the company said in a statement on March 2. The new offerings will โ€œdeliver the bold flavor of restaurant classics without the restaurant prices.โ€

โ€œThe new Private Selection line brings high quality and convenience without the premium price tag or hours spent in the kitchen,” Kroger Group Vice President of Our Brands Ann Reed said in the statement. “The meals provide an exceptional value that allows customers to enjoy exciting and flavorful dishes that are high quality and ready in minutes.”

But a low price point doesnโ€™t mean shoppers are compromising on ingredient quality or flavor.

โ€œAt Kroger, customers do not have to choose between a good meal and a good deal,โ€ the company said. Standouts from the new range include Korean-inspired beef bulgogi, Chinese-inspired mandarin chicken, and ready-to-cook chicken parmesan.

The additions to the Private Selection line are a part of Krogerโ€™s (KR) larger strategy of focusing on its own brands.

During the companyโ€™s Q4 2026 earnings call earlier this month, chairman Ronald Sargent told investors that sales of Simple Truth and Private Selection played a major role in Krogerโ€™s revenue growth.

Kroger announced it would be adding 20 new convenience meals to its Private Selections line.Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
Kroger announced it would be adding 20 new convenience meals to its Private Selections line.Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock ยท Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock

โ€œOur Brands had a solid quarter,โ€ Sargent said. โ€œSimple Truth and Private Selection again led our growth, with customers continuing to choose these products because they deliver high quality at an affordable price.โ€

Kroger launched its Private Selection label back in 2000. In all, the line has more than 3,600 unique products.

While there have certainly been some flops โ€” earlier this month, the USDA recalled Krogerโ€™s Chinese Inspirations Chicken Fried Rice thanks to potential glass contamination โ€” there have also been some major hits.

Related: 143-year-old grocery chain closes more locations, lays off dozens

According to Kroger, top sellers include:

  • Private Selection Croissant Loaf Bread

  • Private Selection salad kits

  • Private Selection Amaretto Cherry Cordial Ice Cream

  • Private Selection cheesecakes

Fans of the grocery storeโ€™s own brands should keep their eyes peeled for even more additions over the next several months.

โ€œInnovation continues to be a priority,โ€ Sargent told investors during Marchโ€™s call. The chairman noted that the company was particularly focused on adding health and wellness related items as it saw increased customer demand in those categories.

As inflation and tariffs drive grocery prices higher and higher, consumers are adding more private label items to their carts in an effort to save a dollar or two.

Data collected by consumer insights company Numerator found that 39% of consumers are regularly purchasing private label items in order to save money.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, millennials and Gen Zers are the primary generational drivers behind this trend. With less disposable income than older cohorts, millennials and Gen Zers account for 32% and 30% of total private label spend, respectively, Numerator said.

Related: Coca-Cola rival, 7UP, launches Kroger-exclusive soda flavor

The generations also tend to see private label products as better value than national brands. A full 50% of millennials think private label brands offer a better bang for your buck, and 46% of Gen Zers agree.

In light of these findings, and in an increasingly cost-conscious climate, โ€œprivate label has become a key lever for margin growth,โ€ Numerator said in a blog post.

Some retailers rely more heavily than others on their private label brands. Shoppers looking for those savings would do best to check out:

  • Trader Joes: private label products account for 79% of all sales volume

  • Aldi: private label products account for 77% of all sales volume

  • Samโ€™s Club: private label products account for 33% of all sales volume

  • Costco: private label products account for 32% of all sales volume

  • Walmart: private label products account for 26% of all sales volume

  • Kroger: private label products account for 25% of all sales volumes
    Source: Numerator

Related: 143-year-old supermarket drops key service in dozens of stores

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Mar 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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