CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger is sourcing innovation from a spring outpouring with fresh ideas, as it steps into its new partnership with the University of Cincinnati (UC) to operate a creative-drive lab at the institution’s 1819 Innovation Hub. The new collaboration includes a 12,000-square-feet makerspace and micro-factory, as well as state-of-the art classrooms and multi-purpose rooms.

"Kroger's new partnership with the University of Cincinnati is one more way we are investing to create the now and future of retail," Kroger's Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Chris Hjelm said. "This innovative collaboration is driven by Restock Kroger and provides the Kroger Technology team another creative space to partner and develop solutions to redefine the grocery customer experience."

The hub, a recently-opened state-of-the-art facility, is situated in the Uptown Innovation Corridor, symbolizing the community’s innovation and impact with higher education. The addition of this space is the region’s newest destination for thinking, making, doing, discovering, and delivering, according to a press release.

The retailer will staff the hub with resources, including R&D engineers and software developers, in addition to the working UC faculty on site. There will also be a student co-op and internship program in conjunction with the partnership.

"The 1819 Innovation Hub is a coworking community where we will build and discover the next generation of technology and talent," Hjelm said. "Our vision is to create a talent pipeline that supports our business and positions the region as a place for digital and technology students and professionals."

The creation of the 1819 Innovation Hub aims to provide a space for people and companies to come together to create advancements for the rapidly evolving economy and fast-paced industry. Through these efforts, Cincinnati will become a top choice location.

"As the anchor tenant of our burgeoning innovation district, UC's 1819 Innovation Hub is a microcosm of the bigger picture," UC’s Chief Innovation Officer David J. Adams shared. "Companies are choosing to co-locate here with us for proximity and access to the talent that a major research university provides. As the district comes to life with residential and retail options, the mix of students, faculty, industry, and community that you see in our knowledge action center today will spill out into the surrounding neighborhood, making innovation a visual place in Cincinnati."

The partnership shares a special bond because of the communities they jointly know and service on a daily basis.

"Working with a hometown company and one of the world's largest retailers gives our university an opportunity to make an impact not only locally but also globally,” Pinto expressed. “This is the kind of partnership that allows our students and faculty to work on real-world challenges in a cross-disciplinary way, while offering our corporate partners added value with access to talent, expertise, research, creativity, and specialized equipment and technology."

As students head back to school, they will head into the new hub, which opened earlier this week for the fall term. Kroger’s innovation lab sits in a 2,500-square-foot space on the third floor of the four-story building. Construction for Kroger’s lab is expected to be completed in October.

Kroger’s digital headquarters is also located in downtown Cincinnati, and it plans to double its digital team of 500 to 1,000 by 2020.

How will Kroger’s new partnership boost interest in its innovative approach to retail? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.

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