technology

Innovation & Investment Driving Results

Using cutting-edge apps and proprietary algorithms to execute with excellence at 2,500+ Kroger stores nationwide.

Abstract geometric design with four light purple triangular shapes forming an X pattern with black triangular cutouts.

6M+

Units stocked in '24

8M+

Retail Photos taken in '24

1M+

Voids/out of stocks filled in '24

Data-driven

Advanced technology driving real‑time insights

Purpose-driven

Handheld devices with image recognition for real‑time shelf analysis. Less time on device = more time executing.

AI‑automated

Enabling capabilities to suggest tasks, auto‑prioritize routes, send new item alerts and surface root causes for retail specialists.

Integration

Tech tied to Kroger, 84.51° and in‑store systems to show balance on hand and make an immediate impact on shelf.

Proprietary Prognostic Platform

Predicting velocity risks and optimizing corrective actions.

solutions

Advanced Tools

From shelf to pantry, we have insights on products and their customers as well as what's happening across the rest of the market.

GoSpotCheck

Ingenious

Power BI Analytics

GoSpotCheck

Real-time Store Intelligence

Our partnership with GoSpotCheck enables our retail specialists to verify execution at scale, capture shelf data, resolve issues quickly and ensure accurate pricing and promotion.

Woman in denim jacket selects a bottle from a liquor store shelf with an app interface overlay showing a task to photograph the endcap and enter a sale price.

Woman wearing glasses and a denim jacket inspecting a store shelf with an overlaid mobile task interface for taking a photo and adding a sales price.

Verified Execution at Scale

Instant photo reporting confirms product availability, display execution, and shelf placement.

Category Insights

In-depth market trends & competitive analysis.

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Issue Resolution

Automated alerts trigger immediate action when compliance or out-of-stock issues are found.

Pricing & Promo Accuracy

Validate in-store pricing and promotions to protect investments, optimize spend & compliance.

Verified Execution at Scale

Instant photo reporting confirms product availability, display execution, and shelf placement

Category Insights

In-depth market trends & competitive analysis

Issue Resolution

Automated alerts trigger immediate action when compliance or OOS issues are found

Pricing & Promo Accuracy

Validate in-store pricing and promotions to protect investments, optimize spend & compliance

InGenious

Intelligent Void & Phantom Detection

Our exclusive algorithm identifies and prioritizes out-of-stocks, voids and phantoms before they impact sales, achieving a high alert closure rate.

Person holding a smartphone displaying a store report app named Ingenious in a grocery store aisle.

Person in a store aisle using a smartphone displaying an Ingenious app with store details and a download report button.

Reporting & Alerts

Balance on hand, weekly sales opportunity and continued alerts.

Understanding

Voids, phantoms and out of stocks.

Efficiency

Higher frequency insights without increased cost through mobile.

Transparency

Detailed, unbiased reports show brand impact.

Reporting & Insights

Balance on hand, weekly sales opportunity and continued alerts

Space Planning & Optimization

Voids, phantoms and out of stocks

Efficiency

Higher frequency insights without increased cost through mobile

Transparency

Detailed, unbiased reports show brand impact

Power BI Analytics

Retail Reporting & ROI

Our business intelligence team builds custom Power BI solutions that give you clear visibility into performance and ROI across Kroger departments.

Dashboard screen of GoSpotCheck app showing scorecard options and category metrics overlay on background of person stocking store shelves.

KPI Measurement

Post-promotional, supply chain, new item tracking and retail pricing analyses.

Space Planning & Optimization

Space to sales analysis, Kompass recap, POG proposals and distribution opportunity reporting.

Rest of Market Data

Market share reporting, Circana data on Total US and all Kroger divisions and competitive markets with data on 300+ categories.

Shopper Insights

Circana and Stratum shopper panels/profiles, category & brand loyalty, promo behavior and thought leadership.

Reporting & Insights

Post-promotional, supply chain, new item tracking and retail pricing analyses

Space Planning & Optimization

Space to sales analysis, Kompass recap, POG proposals and distribution opportunity reporing

Rest of Market Data

Market share reporting, Circana data on Total US and all Kroger divisions and competitive markets with data on 300+ categories

Shopper Insights

Circana and Stratum shopper panels/profiles, category & brand loyalty, promo behavior and thought leadership

hands-on

Retail Store Execution

Empire isn’t just another broker. We operate from within Kroger’s ecosystem, giving brands direct access, insight, and influence where decisions
are made.

The only broker with offices inside Kroger headquarters

Dedicated retail specialists providing local support in all
Kroger divisions

Industry-leading associate retention

Direct relationships from department VP's to store managers

Four men posing inside a store next to a refrigerated meat display case with packaged grocery items.

4M+

Cases stocked in '24

2,500+

Stores covered monthly

85%+

of our Reps are full-time

Nationwide

Retail Division Execution

Purpose-driven

Dedicated to Kroger by Center Store/Grocery, Deli/Bakery, Meat/Seafood, Produce departments in each store.

A map marker icon with a checkmark in a purple box

On-Premise

At any given time, we may have up to 3 retail specialists present in
a store.

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Tenured

Retail specialists average 5 or more years, an industry-low turnover rate.

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Invested

Over 85% of our retail reps are full-time employees.

Testimonials

Hear It From Them

“Empire’s deep Kroger relationships and flawless execution have been instrumental in our growth. They’re not just a broker - they’re a true strategic partner who understands how to win at Kroger”

Senior Category Manager

Leading CPG Brand

A dried pasta display at a grocery store

“I love the new dashboard - thanks for all the great work on this! It's very easy to use and I love the different data points and visuals that serve both the sales and marketing teams."

Senior Customer Marketing Manager

Leading Sauces Brand

"You have exhibited your cross-functional commitment and individual expertise across Sales, Marketing, Operations & Insights. We were led by our Empire partners who played value-added roles to get this over the finish line"

Advisor & Board Member

Produce Brand

"You continue to be a major driver of our growth and a shining example of what great partnership and execution look like. Your impact is felt across the business, and we’re so grateful for the excellence you bring every day"

Senior Account Manager

Leading Snack Brand