Kroger — Local services in Oxford Township

I am writing to share my personal experience with the staff at Kroger on Locust Street, which, unfortunately, involved instances of racism and microaggressions directed toward Asian customers.

During my visits to this store, I was deeply disappointed by the behavior of the employees, particularly at the Starbucks counter and self-checkout area. Instead of providing a welcoming environment, the staff's actions conveyed a clear sense of unwelcoming and discriminatory behavior toward Asian customers.

The instances of racism included the following:

Hostile and disgusted facial expressions directed at us. Ignoring and rejecting communication with Asian customers. Turning their backs on us while we were speaking. Neglecting our requests and showing a lack of attention when we asked for support. Repeatedly asking us to repeat a simple coffee order multiple times.

Unfortunately, I do not recall the names of the specific staff members involved, but the negative atmosphere and hostility were unmistakable and unforgettable.

My intention in writing this review is not to create issues but to highlight a serious concern. Every customer, regardless of race, deserves respect and good customer service, especially in a reputable establishment like Kroger. Given that this branch is located near Miami University, an institution known for its higher education standards, such behavior is particularly disappointing.

It is a shame to see such a low point in customer service, reflecting poorly on the staff's education and training regarding respect for others. I urge Kroger to address and improve this situation, as Asian customers, like all customers, deserve to be treated with dignity...

update on new warning So several days ago (near the end of April) I noticed sale prices on baby wipes and diapers. I looked closer (because you need to read the fine print) and it said you needed the "digital coupon." I didn't have my phone with me so I came back the next day and used it to download the coupon. It was outdated. It expired APRIL 10. Let that sink in. They'd expired weeks ago. How many people grabbed them because they thought they were getting a discount, didn't read the fine print that you need a digital coupon, and didn't notice that they didn't get the discount? Because if they did scan it, they would have notified someone of the expiration date! I've always loved the kind folks who work at Kroger, but something smells fishy. Always check to see if you are getting the discount and if you aren't, find out why.

WARNING: Kroger has found a sneaky way of getting a lot of extra money out of your pocket and it's usually right when you walk in the door. Picked up some asparagus at a table first thing and put it in my cart. $1.49 a lb: good price! Then I remembered a trick they play. If you don't read the small print the asparagus is $3.99 a lb. You must download a digital coupon before you can get the discount, and if I'm not mistaken you must download the app to get the coupon. How many people in a hurry didn't realize this today and put an extra $2.50 in the pocket of the rich shareholders? ...

What can I say? The appearance of the store and employees depends on when the University is in session. The workers are great for the most part! I come from a larger city with a much larger Kroger Marketplace so I'm a bit spoiled. I cannot say much about the hot deli, however, since most of the time the food is very dry and looks as though it has been sitting there for hours. When we asked if anything is fresh, they open a bag in front of you and put a new pan out (if you are lucky enough to get fresh food out of a bag). We were a bit shocked when we saw this and haven't enjoyed the deli since. The workers at the hot deli look miserable, but the rest of the employees throughout the store are always very pleasant and go out of there way to assist you. The shelves are sometimes very bare, so the best time to go is very early in the morning, or later at night when they had a chance to re-stock. When the students are away the store looks to be from a rough neighborhood, parking lot always appears to be dirty with trash throughout, but when it is family weekend or when the students return it is beautiful! A paid critic I am not, just letting others who are not from around here know what to expect :) It is a very safe Kroger, workers are typically always willing to help you, and it is our store of choice when shopping...