Kroger arrives in San Antonio
Retailer to launch grocery delivery service in region, create 160 new jobs
SAN ANTONIO – Kroger announced plans to offer more Texans grocery delivery through the addition of a last-mile spoke facility in San Antonio, powered by a high-tech customer fulfillment center, also known as a hub, in Dallas.
As part of the expansion, the national grocery chain will create 160 new jobs for San Antonians in technology, operations, logistics and transportation, inventory and quality management, and customer service and engagement.
“Kroger today looks very different than it did in 1883 when we opened our first store. But the core principles that made that store successful – service, selection, value, and our commitment to our customers – remain the bedrock of our business,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman, and CEO. “I’m incredibly excited for the future of Kroger, and both thriving physical stores and digital solutions are part of it.”
The 67,000-square-foot spoke facility in northeast San Antonio, pending finalization of lease negotiation, will collaborate with the hub in Dallas, serving as a last-mile cross-dock location to expand Kroger’s grocery delivery services. greater:SATX partnered with Kroger’s Economic Development team to provide support and resources for the company’s location evaluation.
“We’re proud to welcome Kroger’s e-commerce-focused delivery model into San Antonio. The facility will be part of a high-tech network that serves the region and employs more than 160 people in our community,” said Tom Long, Managing Director for Industrial with greater:SATX.
This expansion represents an extension of a partnership between Kroger and Ocado, a world leader in technology for grocery e-commerce.
In 2018, the companies announced a collaboration to establish a delivery network that combines artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and automation.
Through the hub-and-spoke delivery network, the organization now serves customers without traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
San Antonio joins new geographies including Austin, Birmingham, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Orlando, South Florida, and the East Coast through a flexible network of high-tech facilities.
The San Antonio facility is expected to become operational later this year.
