Kroger shares climbed more than 1% on Monday after Home Chef revealed a partnership with Giada De Laurentiis to launch a series of Italian-inspired meal kits.
Home Chef, which offers meal solutions both online and in stores, said it collaborated with the Emmy award-winning chef, cookbook author and restaurateur on a limited-time collection that will be offered exclusively on the Home Chef menu.
De Laurentiis commented on the partnership, saying: "I’ve always believed that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to taste good. I love showing people how simple it can be to cook quality meals, and so much of my inspiration comes from Italy, where classic flavors and straightforward techniques make unforgettable dishes. Partnering with Home Chef is such a natural fit because it gives me the chance to bring that Italian influence into elevated, everyday dishes that are simple to make at home."
The collaboration spans eight weeks and includes eight rotating recipes, with each recipe repeating once during the run. Each offering in the Giada De Laurentiis collection is supplied with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients, a format intended to cut down on prep time and help make weeknight cooking more approachable for consumers.
Home Chef described the collection as a way to take home cooks on a tour of Italy while still fitting into everyday schedules. The set of meals will be available only through Home Chef’s menu during the limited engagement.
Context and market reaction
The announcement coincided with a modest share-price increase for Kroger on Monday, reflecting investor attention to product partnerships and branded collaborations in the consumer grocery space. Kroger operates Home Chef as part of its meal-solutions offerings available to shoppers both online and in physical stores.
What is clear from the release - the program is time-limited, exclusive to Home Chef, and structured around a fixed set of rotating recipes that prioritize convenience through pre-portioned fresh ingredients.