Kroger, one of America’s largest supermarket chains, is making big changes to the way some of its stores look and operate. The company is rolling out its Marketplace store format — a larger, upgraded version of the regular Kroger — in more locations. One of the latest upgrades is happening in Maysville, Kentucky, and shoppers have mixed feelings about it.
Here’s what the new Marketplace stores offer, what changes to expect, and how customers are reacting to the remodels.
What Is a Kroger Marketplace Store?
A Kroger Marketplace is much more than just a grocery store. These stores are bigger than typical Kroger supermarkets, often ranging from 100,000 to 130,000 square feet in size. That’s enough space to include not only expanded food and drink options, but also clothing, homeware, electronics, jewelry, and even imported items.
They also feature a larger floral section, a full-service pharmacy, and more ship-to-home options for natural, organic, and international products. So far, around 191 of Kroger’s 1,241 U.S. locations have been converted to the Marketplace format.
Maysville, KY Store Gets a Marketplace Makeover
Kroger is currently remodeling its Maysville, Kentucky store to become one of the newest Marketplace stores. According to a local shopper named Evan Sutton, the transformation is already halfway complete. He posted updates on Facebook, sharing photos of reorganized aisles, lower prices on 1,000 items, and changes to the grocery pickup area.
Sutton noted that the shampoo and conditioner section had been moved into the main grocery area, and that part of the pickup section was being turned into a clothing and footwear area. He also mentioned that new shopping carts and a freshly repaved parking lot were on the way, along with more spaces for pickup customers.
Not Everyone Is Happy With the Changes
While Kroger hopes the Marketplace model will bring more convenience and options to shoppers, not everyone is on board. Some local customers in Kentucky have voiced their concerns about the remodel.
One shopper complained about the state of the store’s floors, calling them “terrible.” Another said the changes were simply “sad.” This kind of feedback shows that while some people appreciate the wider range of products and services, others miss the simplicity of the old layout.
Ongoing Checkout Complaints at Kroger Stores
The remodeling isn’t the only thing frustrating Kroger shoppers. In recent months, customers have been complaining about long checkout lines and poor customer service. One upset customer posted a picture online of a long line at a store in Mt. DeChantal, saying there was only one staffed register open and threatening to switch to Trader Joe’s instead.
Another incident happened in April when the self-checkout line at a Kroger store stretched all the way to aisle 14. Several shoppers said they had to wait over 30 minutes to pay for their groceries. These complaints have led to many customers asking Kroger to improve its staffing and checkout processes.
Kroger’s shift toward the Marketplace store model is meant to give shoppers more choices and services in one place. While this format adds features like clothing, electronics, and more home goods, not every customer is happy with the changes — especially when combined with complaints about long checkout waits. As Kroger continues to upgrade more stores, it will need to balance new features with customer convenience and quick service.