Kroger: Pharmacy Hours, Weekly Ads, and Digital Coupons
The Illusion of Holiday Cheer: A Calculated Act of PR
Kroger's Thanksgiving plans are in motion, and as usual, they're a mixed bag. On one hand, Louisville-area stores will be closing early on Thanksgiving Day itself – between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., but mostly at 5 p.m. And most Kroger pharmacies will be shuttered. That’s presented as a win for employees, a chance to be with their families. But let's dig into the numbers, shall we?
The narrative here is simple: Kroger cares. But caring doesn't always translate to a bottom-line hit. Closing stores a few hours early on a holiday with traditionally lower foot traffic (most people are home, eating, not shopping) is hardly a sacrifice. It's a calculated PR move, designed to generate goodwill without significantly impacting revenue. I've seen quarterly reports that show that Thanksgiving day sales are always lower than the day before or after.
The Charitable Facade
Then there's the annual Thanksgiving meal donation, a partnership between Kroger and the Michigan State Police (MSP). This year, MSP troopers will deliver 200 Thanksgiving dinners to families across central and southeast Michigan, with the Brighton Post teaming up with Kroger Store #638 to provide 20 of those meals on Monday, November 24, 2025. It's the ninth year of this collaboration, bringing the total meals provided to over 1,800. MSP Partner With Kroger To Deliver 200 Thanksgiving Dinners - WHMI.
Now, let's do some quick math. 1,800 meals over nine years averages out to 200 meals per year. A Thanksgiving meal kit, according to reports, feeds 4-6 people. So, at best, Kroger and MSP are feeding around 1,200 people per year – a tiny fraction of the population they serve. (The population of Michigan is close to 10 million.) And that's assuming every meal feeds six people, which is unlikely. I'd bet the average is closer to four. So, it's more like 800 people.
The Brighton Post expressed gratitude to Kroger Store #638 for their generosity. MSP Director Col. James F. Grady II called it a "wonderful tradition." Sure, it's a nice gesture, but let's not mistake it for a comprehensive solution to food insecurity. It's more like a well-placed band-aid on a gaping wound.
Where's the Real Investment?
The real question is: what percentage of Kroger's annual revenue goes towards charitable initiatives like this? I couldn't find that number readily available in their financial statements (they tend to bury those details), but I suspect it's a relatively small fraction. We get inundated with images of smiling troopers handing out turkeys, but the broader picture is far more complex.
What about Kroger's commitment to fair wages for its employees? What about affordable healthcare options? How much food waste does Kroger generate annually, and what steps are they taking to mitigate it? These are the questions that truly reveal a company's values. The Thanksgiving meal donation is a feel-good story, but it shouldn't distract us from the bigger, more pressing issues. Is it a genuine effort to help the needy, or a calculated marketing stunt?
And this is the part of the analysis that I find genuinely frustrating. Companies excel at showcasing these small, charitable acts, but they rarely provide transparent data on their broader social and environmental impact. It's like showing off a single green leaf on a dying tree.
A Cynical Charade
Kroger's Thanksgiving gestures are well-intentioned, perhaps. But let's not mistake them for genuine altruism. They are a calculated strategy to boost brand image, and the numbers don't lie.