Kroger (KR) will increase its quarterly dividend by 30.4 percent to $0.15 per share in 2012. Last year Kroger hiked its dividend by 9.5 percent.
The Kroger Co. operates supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the United States. Kroger operates supermarkets under a variety of local banner names, including pharmacies, fuel centers and jewelry stores. The company's brands include Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Jay C Food Store, Kroger, Owens Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's Food and Drug. The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.