Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the United States, having acquired several grocery stores over the years.
You might be wondering, out of all these subsidiaries, is QFC one of them? Does Kroger own QFC? Here’s all you need to know!
Does Kroger Own QFC In [currentyear]?
Quality Food Centers, known as QFC, is a subsidiary of Kroger as of [currentyear]. Although Kroger did not acquire QFC directly, the deal was made via the merger with Fred Meyer in 1998. Fred Meyer had already acquired QFC in 1997 before it got into a partnership with Kroger. Therefore, Kroger became the owner.
Read on for more information about how Kroger became the owner of QFC and the connection between these two stores!
What Is The Deal Between QFC And Kroger?
QFC and Kroger became connected after the Kroger-Fred Meyer merger in 1998. That said, QFC had expanded aggressively before its sale to Fred Meyer in 1997.
Further, such acquisitions have contributed to Kroger’s growth in the US, increasing the number of stores owned by the retailer.
Why Did Kroger Acquire QFC?
As a Kroger subsidiary, QFC has some benefits to the brand.
QFC Locations
Kroger has more than 2,800 locations across the country, some under the QFC brand.
Moreover, OFC has more than 50 locations in the US, most of them in Washington and the rest in Oregon.
So, although Kroger closed two QFC stores in Seattle last year, the remaining ones still play a role in the Kroger family and contribute to its dominant presence.
QFC Revenue
In 2021, the global net sales for QFC stood at $150.3 million, thanks to its wide variety of products.
That said, this contributes to Kroger’s total company sales worth $137.9 billion in 2021. Because of this, QFC is a crucial part of Kroger’s revenue growth.
Which Other Stores Does Kroger Own?
Apart from QFC, Kroger also owns several other stores, including:
- Ralphs
- Harris Teeter
- King Scoopers
- Fred Meyer
- Roundy’s
- Baker’s
- Food 4 Less
- Dillion Companies
- City Market
- Home Chef
- Metro Market
- Smith’s
Thanks to all these stores, Kroger has operations in 35 states across the US.
Also, this retailer is a publicly-traded company that earns revenue from sales and operations from all the subsidiaries, including QFC.
Moreover, Kroger has more than 2,800 grocery retail stores operating under the Kroger family in different states in the US, making it the biggest supermarket chain.
Lastly, most of the Kroger stores offer the same services and products; therefore, you can find similar items in either of them.
Can You Return QFC Items To Kroger Stores?
If you purchased a faulty or wrong item from QFC, you can return it to your nearest Kroger store.
That said, because the retail store is part of the Kroger family of stores, it does accept returns as long as it’s within the supermarket’s policy.
To make your return process easier, you can use Kroger’s Store Locator to find the nearest store in your city or town.
Also, ensure you have the item in the original packaging and carry the original receipt during the return process.
Further, Kroger stores will refund you based on the payment method you used when making the initial purchase.
According to the return policy, all stores in the Kroger family accept returns only if they are made within 30 days from the day of purchase.
Once this period has elapsed, Kroger has the right to refuse any returns.
Additionally, when returning products, you need to know that some items have restrictions. For instance, the store will only accept baby formula returns if you have the original receipt.
On the other hand, if you need to return alcohol and tobacco products, this will depend on the local state laws.
If you return women, infants, and children items, Kroger will only exchange them for food packages, as the store doesn’t offer returns.
Before returning any item, it would help to check the website for the actual products with restrictions.
Then, you can use this information to determine whether you are eligible for a refund or exchange.
Can You Use A Kroger Gift Card At QFC?
This Kroger gift card is a prepayment for products and fuel available at any of the family of companies.
Once you get the card, it comes with terms and conditions, and it has a list of stores you can visit printed on the back.
Further, the remaining balance will be printed on the sales receipt when you use the Kroger gift card to pay for a product.
Alternatively, you can use the QFC gift card to shop at Kroger or any other subsidiary and earn fuel points and rewards.
Moreover, Kroger physical gift cards can be used at all the banner stores, including the gas stations.
Additionally, you can buy them in bulk and send them to others via mail or use them for your pickup or delivery orders.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Kroger owns Food Lion, does Kroger own Fred Meyer, and does Kroger own Meijer.
Conclusion
Quality Food Centers, known as QFC, is a subsidiary of Kroger. Although Kroger did not acquire QFC directly, the deal was made via the merger with Fred Meyer in 1998.
That said, Fred Meyer had already acquired QFC in 1997 before joining a partnership with Kroger.
Therefore, Kroger became the owner after this merge. Because of this, you can use Kroger gift cards to shop at any QFC store or other subsidiaries printed on the back of the card.
Additionally, you can return items bought at QFC at any Kroger store as long as it’s within the company policy.
