The Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced this week that an agreement has been reached in principle with Kroger that will require the grocery chain to pay $1.37 billion to participating state and local governments for its role in the opioid crisis.
The agreement would only be applicable to states in which Kroger operates, both under its own name or under the name of other subsidiaries. In Arizona, Kroger owns Fry’s and Smith’s. The company also owns and operates other stores across the nation, including Dillons, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, Harris Teeter, QFC, City Market, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, and Mariano’s.
In addition to the financial terms, a final settlement remains contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes.
The bipartisan negotiations were led by Attorneys General from North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia.