March 5 (Reuters) - Supermarket chain operator Kroger KR.N forecast annual identical sales largely below Wall Street estimates on Thursday, pointing to weaker spending as more Americans turn to cheaper staples and private‑label brands to manage tight budgets.
The retailer expects 2026 identical sales, excluding fuel, to grow in the range of 1% to 2%, compared with expectations of a 2% growth, according to data compiled by LSEG.