America's Largest Grocery Chain Is Expanding These Perks

Most lists of the top grocery stores in the country always have a spot for Kroger on them. Now the grocery chain operates over 2,800 stores across the country—more than any other supermarket in America

Tons of shoppers head into the store and use its website and app every day, and Kroger is adding on to two shopping perks. The company just announced it will now be expanding its membership program that started last November as well as increasing the number of electric charging stations in its parking lots.

Kroger's Boost membership program is part of its loyalty program and offers two membership tiers for Kroger's delivery service, according to Grocery Dive. For $59 a year, grocery shoppers can get unlimited no-fee delivery within 24 hours on orders over $35. For $99 annually, members can get unlimited no-fee delivery within two hours with the same minimum order amount. It also still allows members to get double the fuel points when they buy groceries.

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Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen announced the perk is now rolling out nationally seven months after its launch during the company's earnings call on June 16 after "encouraging" results. It is already available in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Columbus, with more areas to be added soon. The program intends to compete with similar ones from Walmart and Amazon, which dominates online grocery delivery.

However, when comparing the new Boost membership to Walmart+ benefits, Walmart costs $98 for a year or $12.95 a month—making Walmart more expensive than Kroger's. Although, Walmart+ has more retail perks like electronics and early access to Black Friday deals to sweeten the deal. Both also offer fuel points.

Besides its new Boost membership expansion, Kroger announced it will be expanding the number of electric vehicle charging stations in its parking lots. Over 350 chargers have been installed at stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, according to a press release. The grocer plans on further implementing the eco-friendly stations in Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia, as part of its "commitment to helping customers make sustainable choices."

"Increasing our customers' access to EV charging stations at convenient Kroger locations supports our collective transition to a lower-carbon economy," said Yael Cosset, Kroger's senior vice president and chief information officer. "We are leveraging technology and innovation to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and are offering customers easy ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle."

Besides Kroger, other grocery stores have been looking to "go green." In particular, more charging stations have been popping up over the last year at Costco, according to reports from members on Reddit.

Before you head out the door, check out: This Pet Food Is Being Pulled From Walmart and Target Shelves Amid a Shortage.