Kroger shoppers thrilled as retailer announces first ever ‘mega-sales event’ with deals starting at just 99 cents

Kroger shoppers are excited after the supermarket giant announced its first-ever “mega sale.”

From today (October 1), the supermarket is hosting a ‘Customer Appreciation Week’, where shoppers can get discounts, with prices as low as 99 cents.

The discounts apply to a wide range of both private label and branded products.

The deals include two pints of Kroger orange juice for $5 and a 24-ounce jar of Kroger pasta sauce for 99 cents.

Starbucks coffee bags will also be available: buy one, get one free, and Coca-Cola, Pepsi and 7UP cans will be buy two, get two free.

Grocery giant Kroger is hosting a ‘Customer Appreciation Week’ in October

The promotional event is intended to show shoppers that Kroger is “so grateful for the trust” it has from its customers and that the chain is committed to creating value for them, said senior vice president Stuart Aitken of the retailer.

This is the first time Kroger has hosted such a price-cutting event.

It comes as the retailer awaits a decision on its legal battle with regulators who have tried to halt its multibillion-dollar plan to merge with rival Albertsons.

The Federal Trade Commission and several states say the planned $24.6 billion takeover would eliminate competition, leaving price controls untouched.

Kroger has argued that the plan would actually lead to lower grocery prices because it would allow them to compete with conglomerates like Amazon and Walmart.

The chain has not linked Customer Appreciation Week to the merger and the arguments for lower prices.

However, last month the company said it will release $1 billion for price cuts if the merger gets the green light.

Kroger claims it is already trying to be competitive in “everyday essentials,” including milk, eggs, sugar, bananas and iceberg lettuce.

The company compares its prices for these items weekly with competitors such as Walmart and Aldi, the company said in a statement during the proceedings last month.

Kroger shoppers can get discounts, with some prices as low as 99 cents

Kroger shoppers can get discounts, with some prices as low as 99 cents

“Reducing margins to lower prices over time so that more customers shop with us is our business strategy, and the strategy we will implement at Albertsons following our merger.”

However, during legal proceedings it turned out to be ‘price gouging’ on everyday essential matters.

Kroger is also under investigation for its use of electronic price tags on store shelves across the country.

U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey announced they would investigate the practice to see if the chain was engaging in price gouging.

In a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen earlier this month, senators expressed concern that the technology could be used to rob customers and raise grocery prices during peak hours.