In a recent financial report, Kroger announced plans to close 60 of its stores within the next 18 months. Kroger’s 60 closing stores are scheduled to begin closing in the first quarter of 2025. This announcement worried many shoppers who depend on these stores for their groceries.
Reasons for Kroger closing 60 stores
A recent investigation by Consumer Reports has revealed an alarming issue: many stores are charging customers more for items that they claim are on sale or discounted. This means you might end up paying more than you should, even when you think you’re getting a great deal.
Consumer Reports primarily focused its investigation on Kroger and its stores across 14 states. Over the course of three months, they recruited shoppers to visit more than 12 stores. The findings were concerning:
- Expired sales labels were a major contributor, resulting in overcharges on more than 150 grocery items.
- The average overcharge was $1.70 per item. While this might seem small, it can add up quickly, especially if you’re buying multiple sale items.
- Over half of the 26 stores examined had pricing issues.
One specific example highlighted a bag of Mission Flour Tortillas at a Harris Teeter in Alexandria, Virginia. It was advertised on sale for $2.99, but customers were charged $4.99 at the checkout. That’s a significant 67% increase!
Kroger’s Response
Kroger has responded to the Consumer Reports investigation, stating that the “claim of widespread pricing issues is simply not true.” “Complaints highlighted by Consumer Reports were just a small number of specific cases over several years, compared to the billions of transactions that take place each year.”
It’s Not Just Kroger: It is a Wider Problem
While Kroger is under scrutiny, the issue of overcharging isn’t limited to one. Walmart and BJ’s have also faced similar allegations. Albertsons, another major grocery store, recently agreed to pay $4 million to settle a lawsuit for selling items at prices higher than those advertised as their lowest. This suggests that the issue of overcharging may be more prevalent among grocery stores than previously thought.
How to Protect Yourself from Overcharges
So, what can you do to avoid being overcharged at the grocery store? It requires a little extra effort on your part, but it’s worth it to ensure you’re paying the correct price.
- Check your receipt carefully: This is the most crucial step. Compare the prices on your receipt to the prices displayed on the sale tags in the aisles.
- Pay attention at the checkout: Watch the screen as the cashier scans your items. If you see a price that doesn’t seem right, speak up immediately.
- Keep an eye on expiration dates: Expired sales labels are a common cause of overcharges.
- Consider using a price scanner (if available): Some stores have price scanners that allow you to check the price of an item yourself.
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