Frequently Asked Questions
General Overview
What makes Empire different from other Kroger brokers?
Empire is privately owned, full-service from store level execution through top-to-top strategy meetings, dedicated exclusively to Kroger over the last 45 years. We are the only broker with an office in the Kroger headquarters and we have an industry-low turnover rate for our in-store retail reps. We do everything from new item introduction to assisting brands with understanding KPI performance such as market share.
How does Empire work with smaller brands?
Empire takes a personalized approach in working with you to determine how to maximize your budget, leverage insights opportunities and best ways to make the right connections with relevant Kroger leaders for your brands
How can I apply for a role at Empire?
Visit our Careers page and apply. If you don't see a role that fits, feel free to apply through the "General App"
Does Empire work with other retailers?
No, Empire Marketing Strategies is a dedicated grocery broker to the Kroger Co Family of Stores
What types of brands does Empire work with?
Empire Marketing Services works with brands of all types across center store, meat/seafood, deli/bakery and produce from smaller, regional start-ups to global brands that have been established for over a century.
Where is Empire headquartered?
Empire Marketing Services has offices on the 25th floor of the Kroger HQ, as well as Newport, KY and Blue Ash.
What is Empire Marketing Strategies?
Empire Marketing Strategies is a Kroger exclusive broker and insights provider servicing the headquarter support and retail needs of our CPG and grocery clients across all Kroger categories
Measurable Results
How does Empire's Insights support help grow my brand's sales?
Empire Marketing Strategies works collaboratively to complete new item presentations and business review decks, track new item launches, and offer Insights-driven planogram proposals. We also support our retail teams with actionable void reporting.
What regular reporting does Empire provide for clients?
All of Empire's Insights clients receive a sales dashboard leveraging 84.51° POS and Loyalty Card data. We also provide regular market share, post promotional analysis, void and supply chain reporting as needed
How effective is Empire at the store level?
Empire store reps have closed over 97% of the alerts they have received around things like out of stocks, balance on hand, printing tags, resettings POGs, etc.
What metrics and performance insights does Empire provide?
Empire can work with you to determine the best insights approach for your brand including trackers for new item launches, void & out of stock reporting, assortment & space optimization, ROI analysis, promotional and pricing analysis, gap analysis, market share reporting, etc.
Services and Pricing
Does Empire handle paperwork like retailer forms?
Yes, Empire handles admin tasks such as deductions and post audits, EDI and order tracking, Kroger contracts and New Item setup
Does Empire provide in-store sales support and how often are in-person visits made?
Yes, Empire has over 800 division employees and at any give time, we may have multiple reps in a Kroger store to ensure display, stock and planograms are built and meeting store as well as customer needs.
How does Empire work with Kroger?
Empire Marketing Services has a retail model where reps and business development managers are dedicated by department, giving brands specific access in-store as well as all levels of Kroger management, at Divisions and In-store.
What services does Empire Marketing Strategies offer?
Empire provides sales support, category insights, customer service for your brand team as well as retail execution in-store.
How much does it cost to use Empire's services?
Empire's rates are based on your business as well as your strategies and objectives at Kroger. Depending on your size and goals, rates can look something like a % of your annual sales at Kroger or gross shipping weight. Contact one of our sales VPs to have a discussion on what that could look like for your brand
Retail Services
How does Empire Retail Go To Market Strategy work in Kroger?
Empire has a retail model where reps and business development managers are dedicated by department, (Meat/Seafood, Produce, Deli Bakery, Center Store), giving brands specific access in-store as well as all levels of each Kroger Division. At any given time, Empire could have multiple reps in a Kroger store working in their department.
What regions or geographic areas does Empire serve?
Empire has representation in all 23Divisions across the Kroger Co Family of Stores including banners such as Smith's, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, etc
What are the Empire Retail Innovation Investments to drive ROI?
Strategic innovation enabling reps to focus on most important tasks to keep product on shelf and drive sales. Rep Hand Held Device upgrades: Efficiency in store. GoSpotCheck App: How we communicate tasks to drive ROI. Power BI Reporting: Real time execution results showcasing rep actions in store. Proprietary Void/Phantom algorithms and App vehicle: Communicate real time alerts for strategic rep execution by store.
How many Empire employees are dedicated to Kroger Division and store sales support?
Empire has over 800 division employees working in Kroger only stores executing the Kroger Sales Plan, ensuring display, shelf in stocks and planogram integrity. 85% of our Reps are full time with 401K, Medical, Dental, Car Reimbursement, Mileage. Leading in Industry low turnover in this space.
What kind of results can I expect if I work with Empire?
Empire's team will work with you to Quantify an ROI with retail support (cases stocked, OOS filled, Voids filled, etc.), align on key selling events for display, provide best in class collaboration and Mandatory GoSpotCheck Missions with weekly photos, shelf placements, voids, tags, etc. to see how your brand is growing at Kroger
Data Analytics and Technology
How much experience does your insights team have?
Empire Marketing Strategies Insights team has over 25 people who have over 300+ collective years of experience, are all Members of Category Management and Shopper Insights Management Associations, as well as certified in tools like 84.51 Stratum
Do you buy or use syndicated data and how do you leverage it?
Empire leverages our clients’ 84.51° OnDemand & Stratum data as well as Kantar, Circana Market Share and Trend Data, Kantar Category IQ for Category Trends and growth projections as well as Retailer Insights to support Project Blueprint, Kompass decks, Business Reviews & Kroger top to top meetings
Does Empire use other tools besides Kroger sales data?
Empire Marketing Strategies purchases Circana Syndicated access, Blue Yonder (JDA) space management services, POG images from The Vision Group and industry insights from Kantar.
How does Empire work with GoSpotCheck?
Empire has partnered with GoSpotCheck for the last 5 years to use their app as a tool for retail reps around communicating priorities and tasks as well as a tool for capturing execution results such as images of displays, answering brand questions, etc.
What data analytics tools does Empire use?
Empire uses Power BI for many of our client reports as well as proprietary tools for KPI scorecards, post-promotional analysis, void reporting, etc.
What if our company already has access to tools like Stratum, Circana, etc?
Empire's Insights team will collaborate with you to see how you are already pulling data and understand your levels of access to data relative to how we work with other brands that are similar in size or budget
