Kroger Convenience Stores Loaf ‘N Jug, Fountain, Colo.

In Kroger Convenience’s Loaf ‘N Jug division, testing of a fill-in shop concept began at its store in Fountain, Colo. “We’re trying to provide that one-stop shop for the customer who’s looking for a place for that fill-in shop: fresh produce, meat, meal solutions, whether it be hot meal solutions or expanded grocery, expanded frozen,” said Art Stawski, president of Loaf ‘N Jug.

Freshness is one of the first impressions upon walking into the Colorado Springs Loaf ‘N Jug, with a large produce and meats section greeting customers as soon as they enter. The Kroger convenience store division leans on its relationship with its local supermarket sister, King Soopers, to optimize its produce assortment and assist with training employees on how to maintain the section.

Take-home sizes of cookies, snacks and grocery items serve the fill-in occasion, while six cooler doors are dedicated to frozen dinners. The store runs monthly promotions on Kroger private-label grocery items, tied into the seasons, such as a grilling promotion in the summer and a baking promotion for the winter holidays.

Full-size snack packages maintain a stock-up shopping feel, while the Colorado Springs Loaf ‘N Jug also serves up several healthful options, from an endcap dedicated to bars, nuts and dried fruit to a selection of fresh fruit and salads.

At the Real Time Café in the Colorado Springs Loaf ‘N Jug, pizza has a big presence, with several pies behind the bar, including a breakfast pizza. This site has a large in-store kitchen that provides room for the program and its in-store prep. Also on the menu: Chester’s Fried Chicken, breakfast sandwiches, made-to-order subs, cheeseburgers and sides.

Kroger Convenience has hired a category manager to oversee roller grill for the divisions and examine opportunities that it can take across the banners. This includes a focus on bringing freshness to the category in 2014.

In addition to a full cold-dispensed beverage program, the convenience divisions of Kroger have honed a mix of core blends, seasonal and limited-time-only flavors at the coffee bar. The foodservice team is attempting to bring greater uniformity in 2014 across the banners, particularly in the fountain and coffee equipment.