Kroger operates about 2,800 stores across the U.S., both directly and via subsidiaries, making it the largest supermarket chain in the country.
But you may wonder- while the retail giant is present in 35 states, is it available in Florida? Or does it operate under a different brand name? Here’s what I discovered from my research!
Is Kroger in Florida In [currentyear]?
Kroger has operations in Florida; however, it does not have a single physical grocery store as of [currentyear]. This retailer entered the Florida grocery market a year ago by introducing Kroger Delivery which delivers online orders to customers in their homes. Instead of a traditional supermarket, Kroger has automated fulfillment centers to ensure customers get their orders on time.
Read on for more information about Kroger’s operations in Florida, whether it has locations and how it functions, along with other useful facts!
Does Kroger Have Locations in Florida?
As of [currentyear], Kroger does not have a single grocery store in Florida.
However, it’s using e-commerce alternatives to compete against the biggest retailer in the state, Publix, and other competitors, Walmart and Amazon.
Currently, Kroger has operations in 35 states across the country.
However, it has not successfully established a physical store in Florida. Instead of opening brick-and-mortar stores, the retailer is focused on growing its online delivery business.
Additionally, the retailer does not have any of its banners, such as Ralphs or Fred Meyers, in the state.
Therefore, customers in Florida have to rely on the alternative services provided by this retail giant.
Has Kroger Been in Florida Before?
In 2016, Kroger got into a partnership with Florida’s organic foods retailer Lucky’s Market. However, the deal fell apart in 2020, which pushed Lucky’s Market into bankruptcy.
Publix is a strong player in Florida and has a lot of prime locations, which has made it challenging for Kroger to enter the market.
How Does Kroger Operate in Florida?
Although the retailer doesn’t have the traditional Kroger supermarkets in Florida, it expanded its presence in the state in 2021 by announcing the opening of customer fulfillment centers.
Through its partnership with British online grocer Ocado, Kroger built a network of customer fulfillment centers in areas such as Groveland in Florida.
Kroger’s Groveland warehouse is about 375,000 sq. ft and houses about 31,000 grocery items, including vegetables, fruits, frozen foods, household items, and more.
Therefore, when customers order items, the retailer uses hundreds of robots in the warehouse to retrieve the products.
Then the employees and delivery drivers handle the drop-offs to people’s homes via the Kroger Delivery service.
These fulfillment centers enable the retailer to serve customers in Central Florida even though there isn’t a physical store.
Customers can order products either from the Kroger website or the app. According to the retailer, the service is available up to 90 miles from the fulfillment center.
For delivery, the completed orders are loaded into temperature-controlled vans, which can hold about 20 orders. These facilities are equipped to meet thousands of orders daily.
How Can You Order Items From Kroger in Florida?
To get items from the Kroger fulfillment centers, you have to use the Kroger Delivery service. For this, you can use the app or the website.
You’ll need to create an account with a name, email address, and password. Enter your address and location where your items need to be delivered.
Once you enter your ZIP code, Kroger can automatically direct you to the nearest location for you to fill your cart.
When shopping, you can take advantage of digital coupons, weekly ads, and savings offers.
Once you’ve added all the products to the cart, you can select your delivery time, enter the payment information, and confirm the order.
How Much Does Kroger Delivery Cost in Florida?
If you order from Kroger, you can either get same-day or next-day delivery. For both options, Kroger charges a flat delivery fee of $9.95 to $11.95, depending on your location.
However, Florida customers can sign up for the annual subscription service, Kroger’s Delivery Savings Pass, at $79, which comes with unlimited delivery.
Additionally, Kroger has been offering $15 discounts for the first three orders.
Which Other Locations Is Kroger In?
Kroger is available in 35 states and operates through different subsidiaries and brand names.
Kroger operates stores such as the following:
- Ralphs
- Food 4 Less
- Foods Co.
- Harris Teeter
- King Scoopers
- Fred Meyer
- Roundy’s
- Baker’s
- QFC
- Dillion Companies
- City Market
- Home Chef
- Smith’s
- Metro Market
Therefore, you’ll find Kroger stores operating under these banners in different locations away from Florida. However, all the stores operate similarly because they are under the Kroger family.
Can You Return Items to Kroger Fulfillment Centers in Florida?
If you order items from any Kroger store, you can return them within 30 days from the date of purchase or delivery.
Therefore, if you used Kroger Delivery in Florida, you can send back items purchased online from Kroger.com.
However, if you are unsure about how to go about it, you can contact the Kroger customer support team for more information.
To know more, you can also see our posts on what is Kroger in California, Kroger vs Whole Foods, and is Aldi & Kroger the same.
Conclusion
Kroger has operations in Florida; however, it does not have a single physical grocery store as of 2022. This retailer entered the Florida grocery market a year ago by introducing Kroger Delivery which delivers online orders to customers in their homes.
Instead of a traditional supermarket, Kroger has automated fulfillment centers in Florida to ensure customers get their orders on time.
