HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kroger continued a strong fiscal year with the release of its second quarter earnings last week.
Total company sales for the parent company of Dillons totaled $31.7 billion in the second quarter, compared to $30.5 billion for the same period last year. Excluding fuel, sales decreased 0.4% compared to the same period last year.
Gross margin was 21.4% of sales for the second quarter.
Earlier this quarter, Kroger increased the dividend by 17%, marking the 15th consecutive year of dividend increases. Additionally, in the quarter, Kroger repurchased $349 million shares and year-to-date, has repurchased $751 million shares. As of the end of the second quarter, $779 million remains on the board authorization announced on June 17, 2021.
CFO Gary Millerchip said, "We are emerging stronger through the pandemic and are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable earnings growth and total shareholder return."