Retailers with a marketplace make it easier for customers to access different types of products in one place.
As the largest supermarket chain in the U.S., Kroger has a marketplace that features a wide range of products under one roof. So how exactly does the Kroger Marketplace work, and what’s the difference from other Kroger stores? Here’s what I learned!
What Is Kroger Marketplace In [currentyear]?
Kroger Marketplace stores are multi-department locations that provide full-service grocery, pharmacy, and a detailed general merchandise area including home goods, clothing, electronics, toys, and kitchen appliances as of [currentyear]. To compete against Walmart and Amazon, Kroger launched an online marketplace in 2020 to allow third-party sellers to sell different products on its platform.
If you want to learn more about the Kroger Marketplace, what products are available and how it works, read on!
How Does Kroger Marketplace Work?
Introduced in 2004, the Kroger Marketplace elevated the one-stop shopping experience to a new level.
With that, these multi-department stores have a store format for every shopper and have everything available from groceries, furniture, kitchen and bath products, and toys.
With nearly 2,800 stores across 35 states, Kroger has Marketplaces under the Fred Meyer banner, about 161,000 square feet. For comparison, most of the recent Marketplace stores range from 100,000 to 130,000 square feet.
Moreover, the Kroger Marketplace ensures that customers access most of their needs under one roof.
How Does The Kroger Online Marketplace Work?
Apart from the multi-departmental stores, Kroger recently introduced an online Marketplace to compete with Amazon and Walmart.
As you can see, Kroger is taking advantage of the growth of the e-commerce landscape to expand its operations.
By shifting to the e-marketplace, Kroger added more than 50,000 items, providing more options to the customers.
Additionally, the online Marketplace is open to third-party sellers; therefore, customers don’t have to shop necessarily from Kroger stores.
Instead, they can get some natural and organic foods and specialty and international food products on this platform.
What Products Does Kroger Marketplace Sell?
Kroger sells a broad range of products on the Marketplace; therefore, you can find almost everything you need.
When you visit a multi-department store, you can get fresh produce, fresh meals, beer, wines, baked products, meat, decorative items, kitchen appliances, clothing, jewelry, and furniture.
Can You Return Items Bought At Kroger Marketplace?
If you buy items from the Kroger Marketplace, you can return them as long as you abide by the retailers’ return policy.
Since you purchased the products in-store, it becomes easier to return them for a refund or exchange.
How Can You Return Items Bought On Kroger Marketplace?
Before returning any product, you need to ensure that it’s eligible for a return because Kroger has some restrictions on some items.
According to the return policy, Kroger will accept the items within 30 days after the date of purchase, and these products can be returned in-store or online via mail.
Also, keep in mind that the items must be in their original and unused condition at the time of return.
Moreover, you’ll need the original receipt to get a refund, but if you don’t have it, Kroger will give you a Merchandise Gift Card for no more than $10.
Additionally, you can use the Store Locator to find the nearest Kroger location to return products in-store, and you can return items bought from any store within the Kroger family of companies.
Finally, you need to know the items that have restrictions before returning them.
For instance, baby formula products require an original receipt; for alcohol and tobacco products, it depends on the local state laws regarding the sale of these products.
How Can You Return Items Bought On Kroger Online Marketplace?
Kroger’s online Marketplace has third-party sellers; therefore, customers don’t necessarily purchase items from the Kroger stores.
So, if you need to return an item bought from a third-party seller on the Kroger Marketplace, you have to remember that each seller has a different return policy from Kroger’s official one.
In this case, you’ll need to contact the seller on the online Marketplace and inquire about returns.
In addition, before you purchase any item from a third-party seller, it’s advisable to check the product reviews from past customers and ask about the return policy right away.
Moreover, it’s easy to identify products sold by Kroger itself or by a third-party seller. That said, if a third-party seller is selling the item, it will be indicated on the website.
Kroger Marketplace Vs. Kroger: What’s The Difference?
Compared to a traditional Kroger store, a Kroger Marketplace is designed to provide customers with a one-stop-shop experience.
While a Kroger store might have a regular grocery area, a Marketplace takes up more space because it has more sections, including:
- Full-line supermarket
- Pharmacy and drug store
- Hardware section
- Nutrition center
Therefore, customers visit the Kroger Marketplace when they need to shop for a broad range of products in one place.
Because of this, the Marketplace is usually larger and covers more area than the traditional Kroger supermarkets.
Does Kroger Ship Marketplace Orders?
If you shop from the Kroger Marketplace, you have the option for order pick up or delivery.
Additionally, if you order from the online Marketplace, the retailer can ship the products to your home.
Further, Kroger’s online Marketplace is an expansion of Kroger Ship, which delivers products directly to the customers and partners with e-commerce provider Mirakl.
That said, Kroger Ship was launched in 2018 to allow customers to order a selection of grocery products, household items, and Kroger brand items and have them shipped to their homes.
Typically, delivery for these products is free for orders above $35 and $4.99 for smaller orders.
Will You Earn Loyalty Rewards When You Shop At Kroger Marketplace?
If you shop at Kroger Marketplace, you are eligible to earn loyalty points such as fuel points. However, this is only for specific orders.
Once you earn these points, you can use these fuel rewards to get gas at a lower price and save money.
To know more, you can also read our posts on what is Kroger Pay, the companies owned by Kroger, and Kroger SWOT analysis.
Conclusion
Kroger Marketplace stores are multi-department locations that provide full-service grocery, pharmacy, and a detailed general merchandise area that includes home goods, clothing, electronics, toys, and kitchen appliances.
To compete against Walmart and Amazon, Kroger also launched an online marketplace in 2020 to allow third-party sellers to sell different types of products on its platform.
Compared to a traditional Kroger supermarket, the Kroger Marketplace offers a broader range of products; therefore, even the stores are relatively larger.
Finally, the Kroger Marketplace is ideal for customers looking for a one-stop-shop experience because they can get all the items they need in one place.
