The summer cyclosporiasis outbreak that afflicted thousands of Americans with severe diarrhea promptedKrogershoppers to avoid the produce section, company executives said on Sept. 11.
In a conference call with investors,CEO Greg Foran said the health crisis shaved 0.35% off its identical store sales excluding fuel, which company financials suggest slashed its sales by more than $100 million.
While health officials blamed the outbreakon iceberg lettuce, Foran said shoppers avoided the entire produce section.
“Customers responded more broadly across produce,” Foran said.
Kroger’s comments came as the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant disclosed its financial results.
Kroger cuts its 2026 sales forecast
Kroger posted a $641 million profit on sales of $24.6 billion. The company’s profit beat
Wall Street analysts’ forecasts, but its sales came in slightly lower. Analysts had predicted Kroger would log sales of $34.7 billion, according to Zacks Investment Research of Chicago.
Kroger also cut its revenue forecast for the year by more than half. The grocer said identical store sales excluding fuel will increase between 0.2% and 0.8% in 2026, down from a previous forecasted range of 1% to 2%, the company said. A key metric, identical store sales excluding fuel measure growth excluding volatile gas prices as well as sales at new or closed stores.
Kroger is the nation’s largest supermarket chain
With $147.6 billion in annual sales, Kroger operates nearly 2,700 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including 77 in Greater Cincinnati. The company employs 403,000 workers, including nearly 20,000 in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The retailer operates stores under the Kroger banner name as well as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Fry’s, QFC and others.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cyclospora outbreak hammers Kroger sales as shoppers avoided produce
