Kroger Pivots on Category Management Plans

Facing regulatory and industry pushback, Kroger Co. has decided not to partner with Southern Wine & Spirits for its bev alc planogram services. Recall, Kroger announced in October a new plan that would make SWS the primary coordinator of its entire adult beverage set [see WSD 10-27-2015] and have suppliers voluntarily pay for the service, a move both the TTB and its home state have insinuated would violate federal and state "tied house" laws [see WSD 02-11-2016].In a note to