Final Post

Kroger actually released its third quarter results today (12/2/10).  Investors were hoping for better news after heightened expectations helped push Kroger stock to a 52-week high Wednesday of $24.14. On Thursday, its shares fell $2.23, or 9 percent, to close at $21.63. They have traded as low as $19.08 the past year.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Grocer-Kroger-rings-up-3Q-apf-2055133968.html?x=0&.v=9
I am not sure I would invest in Kroger stock.  It seems to have been fairly consistent over the past year (trading within a $5 range), but I would probably invest somewhere else.

Although Kroger seems to have a good organizational culture in place I don't think I would want to work there.  Maybe its just me, but at places like Kroger and Wal-Mart it seems that people never stay at the same store for very long.  At our Kroger in Madisonville it seems like manager changes frequently (there is a picture of the current manager by the door).  For advancement in this type of company the employee would probably have to be willing to relocate.

I am a customer of Kroger, a frequent one.  Although sometimes you can find really good deals and lower prices at Kroger, on average Wal-Mart's prices will be a little lower (especially on non-food items).  The Kroger in Madisonville is about 1 1/2 miles from my house while Wal-Mart is about 4 miles.  Even though its just a few minutes extra to get to Wal-Mart than Kroger, I would much rather pay a few cents more and and go to Kroger and not have to hassle with Wal-Mart.  Kroger is where I do my main grocery shopping and I usually just go to Wal-Mart when I need household items.  Although there are some Kroger's that are big in size, they do not compare to Wal-Mart.  I don't want to have to deal with the people and lines at Wal-Mart for a gallon of milk when I can get in and out of Kroger in allot faster time.