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Nervous workers struggle to adjust to new mask policies

An abrupt relaxation of mask policies has left workers at some retail and grocery stores reeling as they try to sort out what the new environment means for their own safety and relationship with customers. Kroger, the country's largest grocery chain, became one of the latest to announce that, starting Thursday, workers and customers can stop wearing masks in states where mandates are no longer in effect. Other companies that have adopted similar changes include Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Macy's, Costco, Home Depot, Trader Joe's and Target, following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

news.yahoo.com

Kroger looks to make online grocery orders more profitable, double digital sales by end of 2023

Kroger said Wednesday that it aims to double its digital sales by the end of 2023, as it races to keep up with grocery shoppers who have gotten used to stocking their fridges online during the pandemic. Its digital sales grew 116% in the most recent fiscal year, which ended Jan. 30, to over $10 billion. They must cater to shoppers' preferences, even as online sales hurt their bottom line. It struck a deal in 2018 with Ocado to open and operate U.S. facilities to fulfill online grocery orders and bring the costs of them more line with store sales. Company leaders pointed to Kroger's media and ads business, Kroger Precision Marketing, as a way to offset the cost of online grocery orders, too.

cnbc.com

Houston man claims he was denied COVID-19 vaccine for not having insurance

HOUSTON – A Houston man said he was turned away at his vaccine appointment because he lacked insurance. Antonio Flores told KPRC 2 that he had been searching for a COVID-19 vaccine for more than a month. “And then, I explained again that the website says we don’t need insurance to get the COVID vaccine.”Kroger’s vaccination website does not mention the need to bring insurance. Kroger told KPRC 2 that it was an isolated incident. The spokeswoman said there was a way the pharmacist could have worked around that situation, allowing Mr. Flores to receive his vaccine.

4 people in Michigan won January $1.05B Mega Millions prize

In this Feb. 26, 2021, photo provided by the Michigan Lottery, attorney Kurt Panouses poses with a check on behalf of the winners of a Mega Millions lottery jackpot in Lansing, Mich. Four people in a suburban Detroit lottery club have won a $1.05 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot and will share $557 million after taxes. (Michigan Lottery via AP)DETROIT – A four-member suburban Detroit lottery club won a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot and will receive $557 million after taxes, officials said Friday. After taxes, the $776 million payment was reduced to about $557 million, the Michigan Lottery said. The $1.05 billion jackpot was the largest in Michigan Lottery history and the third-largest in the United States. Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As more states lift mandates, most major retailers still require face masks

Kay on Thursday extended the state's mask requirement until April 9, at which point she'll let it lapse and leave the decision up to individuals. Patrons who prefer not to wear masks can shop through Target's no-contact options, such as shopping online, the retailer added. Aldi said it would stick with its nationwide policy requiring its workers and customers to wear masks in its more than 2,000 grocery stores in 36 states. A spokesperson for Home Depot said the retailer "requires associates and customers to wear masks while in our stores or any Home Depot facility nationwide. "H-E-B will still require all our partners and vendors to wear masks while at work, and we urge all customers to please wear a mask when in our stores."

cbsnews.com

Kroger CEO says he expects normal levels of food inflation this year

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen told CNBC on Thursday he does not anticipate problematic food inflation in 2021, while cautioning that month-to-month prices may be volatile. "For the whole year, we expect inflation to be at 1% to 2%, which is a pretty normal number," McMullen said on "Closing Bell." McMullen's comments come as the topic of inflation across the broader U.S. economy is in sharp focus. Wall Street has for weeks been paying close attention to the rising yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury, which was around 1.547% on Thursday. With respect to grocery store prices, McMullen said there could be variability, especially when comparing them with 2020 levels during the early parts of the pandemic.

cnbc.com

H-E-B, Kroger to continue enforcing mask mandate for employees, despite Abbott’s order

Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that starting March 10, business capacity limits and the state’s mask mandate would be lifted. H-E-B and Kroger responded to Abbott’s executive order saying they will continue to require all employees to wear masks while encouraging customers to do the same. We encourage all customers visiting our stores to continue to wear a mask to protect themselves, those around them, and our associates. As an essential service provider during the pandemic, H-E-B is focused on the health and safety of our Partners and customers. Additionally, we will still require all our partners and vendors to wear masks while at work.”H-E-B has largely required customers to wear a mask in its stores since last summer.

Houstonians rush to grocery stores in search of bottled water but find mostly empty shelves

Folks all across the Houston area in search of food and water started lining up outside of grocery stores at about 7 a.m. Thursday. Most stores were out of bottled water in a matter of minutes leaving shoppers like Adrienne Parker no choice but to continue searching. Others told KPRC 2 they will find ways to collect water and boil it as part of the city’s boiling water notice. We are also working closely with hospitals and food banks, along with city representatives to ensure that essential organizations have access to bottled water. We are thankful that almost all of our Kroger stores across Greater Houston are now back up and operational, and we look forward to serving our communities.

Vaccine delays leave grocery workers feeling expendable

Even when grocery workers are prioritized, they still face long waits. "The politicians and the health departments have been singing the praises of grocery workers but now they have been silent.”Major food retailers say they are doing their part to get their workers vaccinated. But for many grocery workers, the realization that they won’t be eligible any time soon adds to the sense of being expendable. Over the past two months, there have been 137 COVID-19 outbreaks in Southern California grocery stores, and 500 Houston grocery workers have been infected, according to the UFCW. The union knows of 124 grocery workers who have died since the start of the pandemic.

Kroger reduces store hours ahead of major winter storm

Kroger announced plans to reduce operating hours at store locations across Texas as a major winter storm rolls toward the state. All 109 Kroger store locations in the Greater Houston Area and SW Louisiana will operate with amended hours:Sunday, February 14: All stores closing at 8pmMonday, February 15: All stores opening at 9amSan Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B also reduced its hours in anticipation of severe winter weather. AdThe storm is bringing freezing rain and cold temperatures to many parts of Texas over the next several days. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings or watches for most Texas counties. The Houston area was forecast to have its coldest temperatures in 30 years.

Kroger offering $100 incentive to employees who receive COVID-19 vaccine

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Kroger is joining the ever-growing list of companies offering an incentive to its employees who get the COVID-19 vaccine. Kroger announced that it will provide a one-time payment of $100 to all store associates who become fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. According to a press release, all Kroger associates who receive the full manufacturer-recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and present appropriate proof of vaccination to their human resources representative will receive a one-time payment of $100. AdThe company will also offer the same incentive to its associates who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons. These associates will have the option to complete an educational health and safety course in place of being vaccinated to receive the payment.

Nearly a year into the pandemic, grocery workers in Texas are more fatigued than ever as they await vaccine access

AdNearly a year into the pandemic, Ryan’s experience that day reflects the challenges that grocery store workers across Texas are facing in their stores every day. But Texas decided not to include any essential employees like grocery store workers in the state’s current vaccine priority groups. Without any guarantee of vaccine prioritization, grocery workers now find themselves overwhelmed and continually exposed to the virus with no end in sight. “I wasn’t aware that other states had added grocery store workers to Phase 1B, and I think maybe it’s something to point out to the EVAP committee and see if they would reconsider adding grocery store workers to Phase 1B,” Goodwin said. Patrick specifically asked for teachers to be prioritized, but he did not mention grocery store workers.

Michigan Mega Millions ticket wins $1.05 billion jackpot

The jackpot for the Mega Millions lottery game has grown to $1 billion ahead of Friday night's drawing after more than four months without a winner. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)DES MOINES, Iowa – Someone in Michigan bought the winning ticket for the $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot, which is the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger store in the Detroit suburb of Novi, the Michigan Lottery said. The Mega Millions top prize had been growing since Sept. 15, when a winning ticket was sold in Wisconsin. Three tickets for a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot were sold in January 2016, and one winning ticket sold for a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in October 2018.

Some in Houston area eligible to get vaccinated frustrated with lack of access to coronavirus shot

HOUSTON – Some Houston-area residents are frustrated with the current vaccination process and the availability of appointments. “As I remember, the number was 80, but they said they were holding them in reserve for healthcare workers,” Hall said. People who were scheduled to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine were able to do so through Tuesday. After that, we unfortunately had to postpone previously scheduled first shots. Individuals who were previously scheduled to receive their second dose at this time will still receive that shot in order to properly complete the vaccination process in a timely manner.”

Did you wake up richer? 2 winning lottery tickets sold in Houston area

HOUSTON – Two lucky people woke up at least a million dollars richer, thanks to two winning lottery tickets sold in the Houston-area. On Christmas Day, the Texas Lottery Commission reported that a Mega Millions ticket with a prize amount of $1 million was sold at a Kroger in Katy located at 2700 W. Grand Parkway N. The winning numbers were 17, 23, 36, 69 and 70. On Dec. 26, it was announced that there was a winner of a Powerball ticket sold at a Fiesta Mart located at 11006 Airline Dr. The winning numbers: 10, 24, 27, 35 and 53. A Powerball ticket with a prize amount of $1 million was also sold at a Tiger Mart located in Cleburne.

Analyzing 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic

Kroger pharmacists conducting COVID-19 tests at a testing site in the Fifth Ward in Houston on June 27, 2020. Here are a few of my columns from the long, long months of COVID-19, from the government responses to the human toll. But more are issuing advisories as the new coronavirus pandemic spreads in Texas. Muted holidays in Texas, as pandemic threatens and vaccines raise hopesVaccines and antibody therapies raise hopes of combatting the coronavirus. COVID-19 vaccines are coming to Texas, along with a ranking of who’s most essentialGreat news: The COVID-19 vaccines are coming.

Differences between Pfizer and Moderna vaccines

HOUSTON – Earlier this week we watched as the Pfizer vaccinations began locally and nationally and the FDA said both vaccines are almost equal at being effective. Pfizer administered 21 days apart, Moderna will be 28 days. Pfizer can only thaw to refrigerated temps for five days before it expires. However, Kroger said their pharmacies are actually planning to get the Pfizer vaccine next week. “They’re over 900 vaccines per case, they can stay in that case for over two weeks.

Local pharmacies prepare for first vaccines

HOUSTON – Local pharmacies were getting prepared to start COVID-19 immunizations. The CDC has partnered with Walgreens and CVS to vaccinate residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. When vaccines are available for wider distribution, all CVS pharmacies will have them. “We have 285 pharmacies, we have over 800 people who can give shots and we can give our a flu shot today,” said McClelland. Pharmacies said they have qualified people to give vaccinations and they’ve visited nursing and long-term care facilities in the past to vaccinate patients.

Asian stocks mixed after Wall St slips near record high

In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, specialist James Denaro works at his post on the trading floor, Thursday Dec. 3, 2020. U.S. stocks are inching further into record heights Thursday, as Wall Street continues to coast following its rocket ride last month powered by hopes for coming COVID-19 vaccines. The company told The Wall Street Journal testing and setting up a supply chain took longer than expected. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 slipped to 3,666.72. Brent crude, used to price international oils, was 91 cents higher to $49.62 per barrel in London.

Rockets and Second Servings of Houston host ‘Thanksgiving’s on Us’ Food Distribution presented by Kroger

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets and Second Servings of Houston came together to serve over 1,000 families Thursday. Presented by Kroger, “Thanksgiving’s on Us” is a contactless drive-thru distribution that focuses on providing perishable and non-perishable Thanksgiving-themed items to Houstonians in need for the holiday. “We know Thanksgiving will look different for so many Houstonians this holiday season,” said Rockets Community Relations Director Sarah Joseph. “This is like a blessing for the community and to give a Thanksgiving meal to a family means so much,” said Sharon Houston. This year marked the third food distribution between the Houston Rockets and Second Servings of Houston.

Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as virus surges

NEW YORK – Looking for toilet paper? Supermarket chains Kroger and Publix are limiting how much toilet paper and paper towels shoppers can buy after demand spiked recently. And Amazon is sold out of most disinfectant wipes and paper towels. The biggest supply issue seems to be paper products: 21% of shelves that stock paper towels and toilet paper are empty, the highest level in at least a month, according to market research company IRI. Amazon said its working with manufacturers to get items such as disinfecting wipes, paper towels and hand sanitizer in stock.

Grocery stores limiting some products again

HOUSTON – Have you been trying to stay stocked with household necessities in 2020? Several grocery stores are limiting the number of products customers can purchase per visit. At all HEB stores, customers can purchase a maximum of two items for brisket, disinfecting and antibacterial sprays and wipes, Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol and first aid and cleaning Gloves. While Kroger has instituted limits of two for products like bath tissue, paper towels, disinfecting wipes and hand soap, according to CNN. These product limits are to ensure all customers have access to the products they need.

Kroger promises Houston workers raises, health benefits in $56M company investment

HOUSTON – Kroger announced it is investing $56 million in wage increases and health care benefits for its Houston associates. “Kroger’s commitment to increase wages and ensure our associates have access to world-class affordable, secure and reliable health care benefits is a core priority for the company,” said Joe Kelley, president of Kroger’s Houston Division. “Our plan removes any uncertainty frontline associates experience with their current health and welfare trust fund plan,” Kelley said. “We believe this is the right path forward for our associates.”Here are the following facts about Kroger’s investment in Houston associates, per a company news release:Every frontline Houston associate will receive an increase in pay over the next six months. Kroger Houston associates will pay just $32 for individual coverage or $172 for family coverage each month in a company-administered plan.

Which grocery delivery service is least expensive with the fewest errors?

HOUSTON – The coronavirus pandemic pushed many families to try grocery delivery services for the first time. For instance, we wanted 1 pound of bananas but not every service makes it easy to specify 1 banana or 1 pound of bananas. When one store delivered far more bananas and 18 eggs instead of a dozen, it messed up the sample. In these instances, we threw those items out of our test, counting only the same items from store to store. This makes it easier for you to see which store charges more for certain items as well as the varying delivery fees.

Scaled-back Thanksgiving plans leave turkey farmers in limbo

Many turkey farmers are worried their biggest birds won't end up on Thanksgiving tables. Fewer people at Thanksgiving tables means many families will buy smaller turkeys, or none at all. That leaves anxious turkey farmers and grocers scrambling to predict what people will want on their holiday tables. It’s a gamble, because the birds gain a lot of fat and flavor in their final few weeks, but she figures customers will want smaller birds. Butterball — which typically sells 30% of America’s 40 million Thanksgiving turkeys — said it’s expecting more gatherings, but it’s not convinced people will want smaller turkeys.

Texas officials blame coding errors and a system update for recent COVID-19 testing data issues

Local media reported that a similar data dump happened in Florida this week, with around 14,000 tests added from one lab in Miami. The sudden increase in the number of tests made Texas seven-day positivity rate drop from a record-high 24.5% to 16%. The number of reported tests has gone down quicker than the number of new infections reported. State and local officials in Texas have also described a drop in demand for COVID-19 tests. Almost every major data point has come with caveats, sometimes blurring for days the big picture of the pandemic in Texas.

Kroger donates food to community hit hard by loss of grocery store

HOUSTON – Kroger and partners kicked off a grocery donation event Wednesday morning for the community surrounding Jim’s Supermarket, which burned down last month. The partnership is with Kroger, the City of Houston, the Houston Food Bank and METRO to deliver groceries directly to Houstonians in need. “Usually we are in the business of transporting people, but today we are in the business of transporting food to people in need, so we are excited for the opportunity,” said METRO’s Senior Director of Contracted, Paratransit and Micro Transit Services, Art Jackson. Metro vehicles and drivers delivered the groceries directly to the homes of identified families in need. Representatives from Kroger said they are doing a similar grocery donation in the area next month.

Kroger recalls 17 types of cheese spreads and dips over salmonella fears

HOUSTON – Kroger is recalling 17 different cheese spreads and dips because they may contain onions at the center of a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened 640 people. The products were sold in Kroger stores between May 15 and Aug. 6. They are in plastic containers under the following brands and labels and with the following UPC numbers. Murray’s Chads Smoked Gouda dip 207083-00000Murray’s Jalepeno Jarlsberg dip 207181-00000Murray’s Bacon Chive Jarlsberg dip 207182-00000Murray’s Southwestern Jarlsberg dip 207185-00000Jarlsberg dip 207201-00000Jarlsberg Cheese spread 216407-20000Pimento Cheese dip 226481-60000Deli Jarlsberg Jalapeno dip 236293-70000Deli Bacon Chive Jarlsberg dip 236294-70000Deli Southwestern Jarlsberg dip 236295-70000Deli Jarlsberg dip 237462-40000Jarlsberg dip 247199-00000Deli Jarlsberg Cheese dip 286292-70000Deli Applewood Cheddar dip 286462-20000Deli Buffalo Blue Cheese spread 295095-50000Deli Southwest Cheese spread 295408-50000Deli Ranch Cheese spread 295409-50000If you have any of these products, you can take them back to the store for a full refund or replacement. Do not eat them.

COVID-19 at-home test: What you need to know about the Kroger test just approved by the FDA

HOUSTON The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the Kroger brands COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit, the grocery chain announced Wednesday. Heres how Kroger Healths COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit works, as described by the company:The home collection is performed under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Upon receipt of the home collection kit, a healthcare professional guides the home collection process via telehealth a two-way video chat. The direct observation helps to ensure the proper technique is used for sample collection. If test results are negative for an active infection, results are released to the patients electronic medical record portal.

Man saves woman’s life at Kroger while shopping for milk for his twins

LEAGUE CITY – A quick trip to Kroger turned into a life-saving situation for a League City man Thursday. Justin Thomas said he was at the store off East League City Parkway to buy milk for his twins. “I heard someone scream out,” Thomas said. “So, I moved toward the direction of the scream then I saw a lady splayed out on the floor.”Thomas said he jumped into action. “The doctors told her that if it wasn’t for the quick actions, she wouldn’t have made it,” Thomas said.

Kroger opens self-serve salad bars against health authority guidelines

HOUSTON While we try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, health officials are advising restaurants and customers against dining and eating from self-serve buffets and salad bars. Still, KPRC 2 found Kroger stores opening self-serve salad bars where you can scoop up your own greens with all the fixings. Salad bars and self-serve buffets in grocery stores have followed suit, some repurposing the salad bar areas entirely. Harris County health inspectors told KPRC 2 what they want to see at these types of salad bars. Bottom lineThe health department says self-serve salad bars and buffets are not a good idea right now.

Kroger Senior Yearbook Giveaway Rules

Official Contest RulesGeneral. By submitting an entry to this contest, brought to you by KPRC (“Station”) and Kroger (the “Sponsor”), the entrant acknowledges and agrees to all of these official contest rules (“Official Rules”). Failure to comply with these Official Rules or any contest specific rules may result in disqualification from the contest. Failure to comply with the Official Rules of the contest may result in an entrant’s disqualification and/or forfeiture of any prize or prizes. By accessing these Official Rules or entering the contest on Click2Houston.com, you are deemed to agree to Click2Houston.com’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

See all of our 2020 high school seniors from our Kroger Senior Yearbook

HOUSTON – Calling all proud families, classmates and teachers — KPRC 2 and Kroger want to recognize your high school senior. Help us celebrate the class of 2020 and your soon-to-be graduate with KPRC 2′s Senior Yearbook! In May, viewers had the opportunity to snap a photo of their high school students with one of our Kroger Senior Yearbook signs. This was perfect for any high school graduation party! Meet the winner of KPRC 2’s Senior Yearbook ContestView our gallery belowCongrats seniors!

Kroger provides free COVID-19 testing sites in Houston, Montgomery areas

HOUSTON – Kroger announced five free COVID-19 testing sites across the Houston and Montgomery areas. Kroger has partnered with the city of Houston, Harris County and Montgomery County to provide free testing for all priority groups, including healthcare workers, first responders and symptomatic groups. “There is a critical need for testing across our city, and it’s important that we step up to meet that need,” said Joe Kelley, president of Kroger Houston. “The residents of Montgomery County are in need of this critical testing, and Kroger has always been a valued partner in Montgomery County. Houston Health Department and partner agencies set up four free COVID-19 test sites in vulnerable communities.