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3d ago

Investigation Reveals Kroger Overcharging Customers Due to Expired Sale Tags

Shoppers were charged an average of 18.4% more for sale items, with some tags outdated by up to 90 days, sparking legal scrutiny and consumer criticism.

Aisle of grocery store in Iowa.
Assistant produce manager Dylan Lund organizes merchandise Monday, March 25, 2019 at the King Soopers on Sheridan Boulevard. UFCW Local 7 union, which represents about 12,200 King Soopers workers, tentatively agreed to terms Monday morning. Details have not been released, and a union vote is required to become ratified. "These kids are scraping by just like I am," he said.
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Overview

  • A months-long investigation by Consumer Reports, The Guardian, and FERN found systematic overcharges at Kroger stores nationwide due to expired and incorrect sale tags.
  • Undercover shoppers identified over 150 items with outdated pricing, including some tags that had expired as long as 90 days earlier.
  • Customers were overcharged an average of $1.70 per sale item, equating to an 18.4% markup over the advertised price.
  • Kroger has implemented a 'Make It Right' policy, weekly price audits, and is testing digital price tags to address pricing inaccuracies, while disputing claims of staffing cuts.
  • Legal experts suggest the pricing errors may violate federal and state consumer protection laws, intensifying scrutiny of the grocery chain's practices.