Reputable outlets only (Reuters, WSJ, CNBC, Barron's, and peers). More on Google News ↗
What Changed
Risk factors · Apr 1, 2025 → Mar 31, 2026
13 added · 8 removed between the two most recent 10-Ks. The risks a company starts — or stops — disclosing are often the story.
Newly disclosed
If we are not successful in reducing or offsetting the cost of fulfilling orders outside of our in-store channel through efficiencies, expense reductions, or alternative revenues, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. The emergence of artificial intelligence-powered agentic shopping tools, in which AI agents autonomously research, compare and purchase products on behalf of consumers could further disrupt traditional grocery retail.
If customers increasingly delegate purchasing decisions to AI agents that prioritize price, speed or other factors over retailer preference or brand loyalty, we could become disintermediated from the customer relationship.
In addition, if we are not able to execute our plan to significantly increase our investment in major store projects, including new stores to accelerate sales growth and improve share, while supporting our long-term growth model, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. 10 We are continuing to enhance our connection with our customers with investments in our top priorities – Fresh, Our Brands , Personalization and eCommerce.
Our failure to adapt our digital capabilities to address the growth of agentic shopping could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, if we do not successfully develop and maintain a relevant digital experience for our customers, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.
If we do not develop and maintain our eCommerce plan and profitability improvements of our customer fulfillment centers, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. PRODUCT SAFETY Customers count on Kroger to provide them with safe food, drugs and other merchandise.
Failure to protect this information, or failure to comply with applicable data protection and privacy laws, could result in legal, regulatory, reputational, and financial harm. Our technology systems have been, and may be in the future, disrupted from circumstances beyond our control, as we regularly defend against and respond to data security related attacks.
We may face criticism as a result of Thriving Together, our responsible business strategy, from certain stakeholders, including governmental authorities, regulators, shareholders and customers.
Under certain circumstances, we may share information with third parties that assist us in conducting our business, as required by law, or otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy.
If we fail to meet the evolving needs of our customers, our ability to compete and our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.
This could result in reduced visibility into customer behavior, increased margin pressure and a weakened ability to influence purchasing decisions.
We believe that continuing to focus on these top priorities will enable us to meet the wide-ranging needs and expectations of our customers.
In addition, certain states have adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (“EPR”) packaging legislation with which we must comply.
No longer disclosed
If we fail to meet the evolving needs of our customers, our ability to compete and our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. 10 We are continuing to enhance the customer connection with investments in our four strategic pillars – Seamless, Personalization, Fresh, and Our Brands .
If we are not successful in reducing or offsetting the cost of fulfilling orders outside of our in-store channel with efficiencies, cost-savings, expense reductions, or alternative revenues, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. In addition, if we do not successfully develop and maintain a relevant digital experience for our customers, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.
Under certain circumstances, we may share information with third parties that assist us in conducting our business, as required by law, or otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy. 12 Our technology systems have been, and may be in the future, disrupted from circumstances beyond our control, as we regularly defend against and respond to data security related attacks.
The recent change to the United States administration and changes in investor perspectives could also affect our ability to pursue our sustainability goals and could lead to increased criticism and associated reputational harm.
In addition, we may face criticism as a result of ‘anti-ESG’ sentiment among certain stakeholders, including governmental authorities, regulators, shareholders and customers.
For example, we recently experienced several key executive changes.
We believe our plans to continue to improve these four strategic pillars will enable us to meet the wide-ranging needs and expectations of our customers.
In addition, we have been designated as the named fiduciary of these funds with sole investment authority of the assets of these funds.