Kroger to bring 161 jobs to Birmingham with new direct-to-consumer grocery delivery service

The Kroger Co. announced today it will hire 161 new employees in Birmingham this year to introduce its e-commerce grocery delivery service into the region. The national grocery chain has leased a 50,000-square-foot facility at 30 West Oxmoor Road that will serve as a last-mile spoke location for its delivery network, powered by a high-tech customer fulfillment center, also known as a hub, near Atlanta, Ga.

“Kroger today looks very different than it did in 1883 when we opened our first store. But the core principles that made that store successful – service, selection, value, and our commitment to our customers – remain the bedrock of our business,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s Chairman and CEO. “I’m incredibly excited for the future of Kroger, and both thriving physical stores and digital solutions are part of it.”

Kroger said this expansion will create jobs in technology, operations, logistics and transportation, inventory and quality management, and customer service and engagement, while improving access to fresh foods and household essentials. In addition to Birmingham, Kroger also announced the addition of cross-dock spokes in Austin and San Antonio. The grocery chain said the facilities in each city will be customer-centric and operated by friendly and knowledgeable associates.

The Birmingham Business Alliance provided essential economic development support to Kroger’s project team and connected the company to the key governmental departments during their due diligence phase.

“We are proud to welcome a new and innovative Kroger to Birmingham,” said Alex Patrick, a partner at the Birmingham Business Alliance who managed the project. “Kroger is a more than 100-year-old company with its eye on the future that immediately saw how Birmingham could expand its e-commerce network more effectively.”

Kroger’s e-commerce technology is powered by Ocado Group and is a continuation of its successful entry into Florida in 2021 without physical stores. The new Birmingham facility will bring innovation and modern e-commerce to the area and extend Kroger’s reach and ability to provide customers anything, anytime, anywhere. Kroger has 10 brick-and-mortar retail food stores in north and east Alabama but none in the Birmingham area.

Click here to read more about Kroger Delivery and its national expansion.