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MidOcean Partners and Kroger Establish Strategic Collaboration to Bring More Emerging Brands to Customers Across America

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Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Announces Formation of MPearlRock to Introduce Emerging CPG Brands to New Customers
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The formation of MPearlRock represents a strategic move by Kroger and MidOcean Partners to leverage their respective strengths in retail and private equity to capitalize on the growing consumer packaged goods (CPG) market. This initiative underscores a trend within the retail sector towards fostering innovation and providing support to emerging brands, which could potentially disrupt traditional market dynamics. By incorporating 84.51°'s data science capabilities, MPearlRock is positioned to offer unique insights into consumer behavior, allowing for more targeted investment and marketing strategies.

From a market research perspective, the ability to identify and scale emerging CPG brands is crucial. The collaboration is likely to enhance the product mix available to consumers, potentially driving increased foot traffic and customer loyalty for Kroger. Furthermore, the data-driven approach to brand selection and investment could result in higher success rates for new products, minimizing the risk associated with introducing new brands to the market.

Investors should take note of Kroger's strategic partnership as it could have significant implications for the company's growth trajectory and competitive positioning. By aligning with MidOcean's investment acumen and operational expertise, Kroger may be able to accelerate the growth of its CPG offerings, which could, in turn, enhance its revenue streams and margins. The emphasis on data analytics and supply chain support provided by MPearlRock could also lead to cost efficiencies and improved inventory management.

It is important to monitor how MPearlRock's investments in CPG brands translate into financial performance for Kroger. The ability to successfully integrate these brands and leverage Kroger's distribution network could be a key driver of shareholder value. Additionally, the partnership may provide a blueprint for how traditional retailers can innovate and adapt to the evolving consumer landscape, potentially impacting the broader retail industry's investment strategies.

The collaboration between Kroger, PearlRock and MidOcean Partners through MPearlRock is poised to bring significant enhancements to supply chain operations for emerging CPG brands. With the inclusion of services like in-store testing, manufacturing, bulk procurement and back-office support, MPearlRock aims to streamline the path from product development to retail shelves. This could lead to faster market entry times for new products and more efficient inventory turnover.

Furthermore, the use of advanced data analytics by 84.51° could optimize supply chain decisions, such as demand forecasting and replenishment strategies, thereby reducing waste and improving product availability. The long-term potential for success hinges on the ability of MPearlRock to integrate these operational efficiencies with the brands it supports, which could set a new benchmark for supply chain excellence within the CPG industry.

Form MPearlRock to Help Growing Brands Find the Right Customers for Their Unique Products

NEW YORK & CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), its consumer product investment platform PearlRock Partners (“PearlRock”), and MidOcean Partners (“MidOcean”), a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments, today announced the formation of MPearlRock, a strategic collaboration to introduce emerging consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) brands to new customers.

MPearlRock combines MidOcean’s expertise investing in and supporting leading consumer brands with Kroger’s deep retail and CPG experience. MPearlRock will also use 84.51°’s retail data science and insights as it seeks to work with emerging CPG companies to identify exciting brands and the best ways to invest to capitalize on the changing retail landscape. Seasoned CPG executive and investor Brian Kelley will serve as CEO of MPearlRock.

“We are pleased to work with Kroger, PearlRock and 84.51° to establish MPearlRock, which builds upon our commitment to transforming consumer-focused companies through collaborations,” said Erik Oken, Chairman of MidOcean’s Private Equity business. “We believe the strategic pairing of MidOcean’s capabilities with Kroger, robust data science and consumer insights capabilities, and deep industry relationships will create an unrivaled collaboration to support the leading brands of tomorrow. We look forward to working together to capture the pipeline of opportunities we see before us.”

MPearlRock will also provide important insights and value to growing CPG brands, including distribution, in-store testing, manufacturing and bulk procurement, supply chain and back-office support, data analytics, talent acquisition, and operations to accelerate their next stage of growth and enhance their long-term potential for success.

Brian Kelley, Chief Executive Officer of MPearlRock, added, “As consumers look to engage with more personalized, entrepreneurial products, we believe MPearlRock is well positioned to source investment opportunities in innovative CPG brands and deliver the foundational resources these brands require to meaningfully grow. We are confident that the experience and resources of our trusted collaborators, MidOcean and Kroger, will enable MPearlRock to make superior investment decisions across the CPG sector.”

Yael Cosset, Chief Information Officer of Kroger, concluded, “MidOcean has a longstanding track record of successful investing in consumer brands. Combining its investing expertise with customer insights from Kroger and 84.51° will mean brands can introduce the right product to the right customer at the right time. For the customer, it will mean more convenient opportunities to discover new products they love. This collaboration is an important step toward significant, sustainable growth for leading-edge food and beverage companies.”

MidOcean has more than twenty years of experience successfully investing in branded consumer products. The firm is supported by a dedicated network of seasoned operating partners with differentiated sector expertise working alongside founder-led companies and strategic partners to grow their businesses. MidOcean’s consumer investing expertise includes Casper’s Ice Cream, FreshPet, Louisiana Fish Fry, Jenny Craig, and Nutrabolt, among others.

About MidOcean Partners

MidOcean Partners is a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has targeted investments in high-quality middle-market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. MidOcean Credit Partners was launched in 2009 and currently manages a series of alternative credit strategies, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and customized separately managed accounts.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

About MPearlRock

Launched in January 2024, MPearlRock is a strategic partnership between MidOcean Partners, a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments, and PearlRock Partners, the consumer product investment platform for The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). MPearlRock identifies and invests in high-growth, emerging consumer packaged goods brands that are positively disrupting the food and beverage industry. The investment platform targets growing, entrepreneurial consumer businesses with $30 to $100 million in annual revenue. For more information, please visit: https://www.mpearlrock.com.

About 84.51°

84.51° is a retail data science, insights and media company. We help the Kroger company, consumer packaged goods companies, agencies, publishers and affiliated partners create more personalized and valuable experiences for shoppers across the path to purchase. Powered by cutting edge science, we utilize 1st party retail data from over 62 million U.S. households sources through the Kroger Plus loyalty program to fuel a more customer-centric journey utilizing 84.51° Insights, 84.51° Loyalty Marketing and our retail media advertising solution, Kroger Precision Marketing.

MidOcean Investor Relations

Allison Donohue/Delaney Miller/Leslie Tanca

Investorrelations@midoceanpartners.com

MidOcean Media:

Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright/Iain Hughes

Gasthalter & Co.

(212) 257-4170

midocean@gasthalter.com

Source: MPearlRock LP

FAQ

What is the name of the new collaboration formed by Kroger Co. and its partners?

The new collaboration formed by Kroger Co. and its partners is called MPearlRock.

Who will serve as the CEO of MPearlRock?

Seasoned CPG executive and investor Brian Kelley will serve as CEO of MPearlRock.

What are the services provided by MPearlRock to growing CPG brands?

MPearlRock will provide important insights and value to growing CPG brands, including distribution, in-store testing, manufacturing and bulk procurement, supply chain and back-office support, data analytics, talent acquisition, and operations to accelerate their next stage of growth and enhance their long-term potential for success.

What is the expertise of MidOcean in consumer investing?

MidOcean has more than twenty years of experience successfully investing in branded consumer products, including companies like Casper’s Ice Cream, FreshPet, Louisiana Fish Fry, Jenny Craig, and Nutrabolt, among others.

The Kroger Co.

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