The Kroger Company, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1883 by Bernard Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first store, known as the Great Western Tea Company, later became the foundation for Kroger's expansive grocery business. Kroger is known for its commitment to offering a wide variety of grocery and household products, as well as its innovations in the supermarket industry. The company has expanded over the years through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, making it a prominent player in the retail sector. The first trademark for the iconic logo featuring the name "Kroger" was officially registered with the USPTO on May 3rd, 1946.
The Kroger Company has been involved in a number of trademark disputes in the past years. One of the most notable example is its dispute in Lidl that was filed in 2016. Kroger Co. filed a lawsuit against German-based retailer Lidl in U.S. District Court in Virginia, shortly after Lidl's first U.S. stores opened. Kroger alleged that Lidl's "Preferred Selection" private label goods copied Kroger's "Private Selection" brand, which accounted for nearly $2 billion in sales in 2016. Kroger claimed that Lidl deliberately selected a name and logo to confuse consumers and infringe upon Kroger's brand, which had been in use for over 20 years.
