The company's board responded promptly to internal findings regarding the CEO's personal conduct by initiating an independent investigation and forcing his resignation. This action reinforces corporate accountability and ethical governance, which are essential for resisting authoritarian practices.

Kroger Chairman and CEO resigns following investigation into personal conduct

The article highlights Kroger's use of electronic shelf labels and the potential deployment of facial recognition technology to profile consumers. This intrusive use of technology for surveillance pricing not only violates consumer privacy but also sets a concerning precedent for corporate reliance on invasive tech, which can be further exploited in repressive contexts.

Kroger’s Surveillance Pricing Harms Consumers and Raises Prices, With or Without Facial Recognition – EPIC

The article provides detailed evidence of Kroger's problematic labor practices. Workers report low wages, abusive surveillance of union members, and the strategic use of scab labor, alongside a refusal to meet fair contract negotiations. These practices reveal a deep-seated disregard for worker rights and contribute to broader authoritarian tendencies by undermining democratic labor relations and worker empowerment.

First Skirmish: Ten Thousand Grocery Workers Strike Kroger

The incident at King Soopers reveals severe labor rights violations including unlawful interrogation tactics, punishment for displaying union support through clothing and buttons, and attempts to repurpose retirement funds for wage increases. These actions not only jeopardize the welfare and rights of workers but also align with authoritarian practices by suppressing collective bargaining rights and undermining fair labor practices, making the company's actions particularly concerning from an anti-fascist perspective.

Workers at Kroger-Owned Grocery Chain Start Two-Week Strike

The article details a severe breakdown in labor relations at Kroger, characterized by unfair labor practices, union busting tactics including hiring scabs, understaffing, and neglect of worker safety. These practices undermine the rights and wellbeing of employees, reflecting a business model that sidelines ethical labor practices in favor of aggressive cost-cutting and shareholder returns, thereby contributing to a broader authoritarian approach in the corporate sphere.

Why 10,000 Denver Kroger Workers Are Going On Strike

Kroger’s clear public denial regarding the use of facial recognition technology—despite allegations and political pressure—demonstrates a stance against deploying technologies that could enable invasive surveillance and dynamic pricing practices. This action is in line with anti-fascist principles, emphasizing the protection of consumer privacy and the avoidance of repressive technological tools.

Kroger denies reports of in-store facial recognition devices

The tracking of Kroger’s political contributions by the American Democracy Scorecard hints at potentially problematic financial support that could favor political groups undermining democratic values. This raises red flags over the company’s political spending and its implications for corporate complicity in supporting anti-democratic practices.

Kroger Political Contributions Tracker

Kroger’s proposed use of facial recognition technology poses significant risks. It utilizes surveillance tools that can be exploited for biased, discriminatory practices, such as differential pricing, and may contribute to the commodification of personal data. Lawmakers' concerns highlight the potential for this technology to enable repressive market tactics, effectively aligning with broader authoritarian tendencies.

Kroger’s facial recognition plans draw increasing concern from lawmakers

The scrutiny over Kroger's supply chain ethics centers on its association with suppliers accused of human trafficking and failing to implement robust labor safeguards. This lack of transparency and accountability in sourcing practices compromises worker rights and feeds into broader systemic exploitation.

USA: Supermarket giant Kroger fails to address human rights concerns

The Kroger Co.'s detailed disclosure of political contributions and substantial lobbying expenditures demonstrates a proactive involvement in shaping legislative outcomes. From an anti-fascist perspective, corporate political spending—especially when channeled through PACs like KroPAC—can be seen as complicit in bolstering systems of regulatory capture and corporate influence that undermine democratic accountability. Although contributions are spread across multiple parties, the significant sums devoted to lobbying and trade association dues indicate a prioritization of influencing policymaking that may indirectly support authoritarian policies.

The Kroger Co. 2023 Political Contribution Annual Report

The discovery of forced labor operations in Kroger's supply chain, including the case involving watermelons from Florida, directly points to unethical sourcing practices. Kroger's continued non-participation in initiatives like the Fair Food Program exacerbates these issues, undermining supply chain ethics.

Kroger called out in its hometown newspaper for repeated discoveries of forced labor in its supply chain

Kroger's decision to hire former Speaker John Boehner and other politically connected lobbyists is aimed at influencing policy in favor of its merger with Albertsons. This move, which ignores concerns over potential job losses and price hikes voiced by labor unions and progressive lawmakers, reflects an effort to prioritize corporate consolidation over protecting workers' rights and fair market competition.

Kroger hires Boehner in lobbying push to secure mega-merger

The planned merger with Albertsons is raising red flags among critics, who warn that a resulting grocery monopoly could suppress wages and spur job losses. This potential consolidation of market power represents a detrimental economic influence affecting both competition and worker well-being.

USA: Supermarket giant Kroger fails to respond to human rights concerns or provide transparent information regarding upcoming merger with Albertsons

The investigation reveals severe ethical concerns in Kroger's supply chain management. The company has repeatedly been implicated in modern slavery and forced labor, indicating a systemic failure to enforce responsible sourcing practices.

Grocery giant and Fair Food holdout Kroger linked to yet another modern slavery ring

Kroger's update includes significant improvements in managing human rights risks in its supply chain. By revising its Vendor Code of Conduct and instituting a more robust supply chain risk assessment process, the company is promoting ethical sourcing practices and protecting vulnerable communities involved in its global operations.

PDF Commitment to Respect Human Rights - The Kroger Co.