The company also is rapidly expanding a customer tie-in with Shell Oil. In less than a year since their joint pilot program launched in five markets, the program has grown to nearly 5,000 Shell stations in 26 states, including local stations.
As 2010 wound down, Kroger added stations in Dayton. In November, the Cincinnati-based chain opened a station at its Kettering store at 2115 E. Dorothy Lane, and another in Sidney in December, said Rachael Betzler, a company spokeswoman. In the Dayton area, the company has 32 stores, 19 of which have gas stations, she said.
Betzler said the company added gas stations nationally in 1998. The pairing of groceries and gasoline began in the Dayton-Cincinnati market in 2000, she said.
The company launched its fuel business and the program that rewards customers with per-gallon discounts based on the amount they spend at stores as a way to differentiate itself from other retailers, Betzler said. Kroger gives customers a per-gallon discount of 10 cents for every $100 spent at its stores, and offers other discount programs.
Fuel sales account for about 12 percent of Kroger’s revenue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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