Kroger invests $17M in expansion aspirations

Kroger is shoring up its supply chain for further expansion on the East Coast with a new $17 million investment in Kentucky.

The grocery chain is expanding a distribution center in Florence, Ken., which will ramp up production at the facility and create 250 new jobs.  

The 674,000-square-foot ambient distribution center currently employs 80 associates. It opened in October 2017 after Kroger's $60 million investment in the replenishment center to service the company's direct-to-store distribution centers across the eastern half of the country, as well as Kroger's growing ecommerce and digital business.  

"This significant investment in the distribution facility and our associates will allow us to more efficiently reach our customers and help to deliver on new ways to shop with Kroger, as we redefine the grocery customer experience through Restock Kroger," said Frank Bruni, Kroger's vice president of supply chain and logistics. "We have long appreciated the support from Boone County and the state of Kentucky, and look forward to growing together."

The distribution facility will start to expand its team in September, and candidates can apply at jobs.Kroger.com.

Kroger currently employs more than 21,000 associates in Kentucky.

Kroger operates 2,779 retail food stores under a variety of banner names.