Kroger drops free publications

Kroger, America’s largest grocery chain, will no longer distribute free newspapers and magazines in its stores, the Memphis Business Journal reported. The change started Oct. 15.

Kroger has been carrying the publications for two decades.

“We are removing the publication racks from our stores because more publications continue to shift to digital formats, resulting in less customers using the products,” a Kroger rep told the Memphis Business Journal.

Local publishers were working with distributor DistribuTech to get the publications in Kroger stores. The Association of Alternative News Media is pushing back against the decision with its “Don’t Lose Local News” campaign. The group is encouraging people to call and voice their unhappiness with the move.

Meanwhile, Press Gazette reported that Aldi planned to stop selling papers in all its UK stores as of Sept. 30.

The move stems from a spat with distributor Fore UK, according to betterretailing.com.

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