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Kroger is a mostly Midwestern supermarket chain that is, for reasons unknown, promoting Sarah Palin’s new book, as well as giving her an opportunity to sign books in-store. To me, it is completely inappropriate for a grocery store chain to advocate for any potential political candidate, but especially one as controversial and extreme as Sarah Palin.

A good friend of mine in Ohio has forwarded the following message to me, and I’ve included Kroger contact info after the message, as well as my email to Kroger CEO/Chairman David Dillon.

If you feel as strongly as I do about this, please contact Kroger and let them know it, and then pass this on.

Dear friend, relative or countryman/woman,

Ginny and I heard a rumor on Sunday that a Sarah Palin book promotion was being planned at the Harpers Point Kroger (Cincinnati) store. Today we stopped by to see for ourselves and, sure enough, Sarah will appear for a book-signing on Dec. 3 at that store. A sign was posted on the door and a huge display of books was near the front entrance that you almost had to walk around to get in. We spoke to the store manager with our complaint. She was quite gracious and said that she had no part in it but that it came from “high up”. She understood that this was being done at a number of Kroger stores around the country, like Kansas, etc. She took our name, address and phone no.

To our knowledge, Kroger has never promoted any author before and now Sarah Palin. It is not a book store even though they do sell books. We believe that Kroger is not the place for this activity especially someone as controversial as Sarah Palin but also for any candidate or issue. There are certain things you do not mix with your core business. It is totally inappropriate. I estimate that we spend $900-1,000 per month on groceries, prescriptions and gasoline AND I like shopping at Kroger, but if this continues I will not spend another dime there.

Please join me in expressing your displeasure and applying economic pressure to the Kroger Co. if you are a customer. I welcome any ideas, assistance, or organizational help to mount a campaign to let Kroger know what its losses will be if they continue on this program of promoting Sarah Palin. It is urgent that we move quickly since Dec. 3rd is not far away.

Yours for fairness and peace,
Pete and Ginny

From the Kroger Book of the Month site:

Book of the Month

Save 40% off Sarah Palin’s “America by Heart”

On Sale November 23, 2010

Only $15.99!

Framed by her strong belief in the importance of family, faith, and patriotism, the book ranges widely over American history, culture, and current affairs, and reflects on the key values—both national and spiritual—that have been such a profound part of Governor Palin’s life and continue to inform her vision of America’s future.

If you’d like to object to Kroger promoting the book of a divisive figure such as Sarah Palin, write, email or call below:

Write to:

Mr. David Dillon
CEO/Chairman
Kroger Corporate Offices
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Email (customer comments form):
https://customer.kroger.com/comments/comments.aspx
and address it to Mr. David Dillon, CEO/Chairman

Call: 866-221-4141

My email to Kroger:

To: Mr. David Dillon
CEO/Chairman
Kroger Stores

Dear Mr. Dillon:

I strongly object to Kroger’s featuring Sarah Palin’s “America By Heart” as it’s featured monthly book and I urge you to cancel all future in-store personal appearances by the author.

Gov. Palin is a divisive and extreme figure on the American scene, and a potential presidential candidate in 2012. A supermarket is an inappropriate venue for her book signings or any political event, in my opinion.

I’m sure that Kroger’s is not in the business of endorsing potential candidates, political parties or political points of view.

However, if they now are, I have no choice but to take my family’s future business elsewhere.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

RS Janes