A coalition of 80 Ohio pastors from Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and other churches have delivered a firm message to Kroger’s leadership. In a letter addressed to interim CEO Ronald Sargent, they urged the grocery giant to step back from political and cultural stances—particularly its visible support for LGBT causes—or risk a consumer backlash. This comes at an especially sensitive moment, as Kroger prepares to close 60 underperforming stores over the next 18 months.
The pastors pointed to specific examples of what they see as Kroger’s overt cultural positioning, including the “PRIDE: Fresh for Everyone” page on the company website that promotes LGBT‑owned businesses, rainbow-themed products, and pride merchandise. They noted that Kroger even scored perfectly on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index, further signaling deep institutional alignment with LGBT initiatives.
In their letter, the pastors emphasized Kroger’s original roots and the values of its founder, Bernard “Barney” Kroger, who credited his Christian upbringing—particularly his mother’s influence—with instilling the principles that guided the company’s growth. With store closures looming, the pastors believe Kroger would do well to avoid polarizing its customer base and instead return to its foundational, community-focused identity.
The letter also stresses that Kroger’s current direction could cost the company dearly, citing examples of other brands like Target that suffered after embracing controversial social policies. The pastors urged Kroger to protect the loyalty of its core customers, warning that alienating them could have serious business consequences.
Ultimately, the pastors’ appeal is straightforward: Kroger should focus on serving families and communities rather than wading into divisive cultural battles. By choosing to return to its roots and to common sense, the company could preserve its broad appeal and support long-term stability.
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