CINCINNATI, OH - As it looks to broaden its digital reach and prepare for offerings to come, Kroger announced it is expanding its cloud computing portfolio with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

"The adoption of Google Cloud Platform signals our commitment to positioning Kroger as an industry leader for digital programs such as ship-to-home and home delivery," said Chris Hjelm, Chief Information Officer. "Kroger Technology has been working to accelerate our ability to deliver our business the tools and technology-enabled services that support growth as outlined in our Restock Kroger Plan. The expansion of our cloud computing portfolio will be a foundational cornerstone to current and future initiatives that will drive measurable business value by advancing Kroger's ability to offer the digital and e-commerce services our customers want most."

Hjelm also told CNBC in an interview that the choice to go with Microsoft and Google was an obvious one, choosing not to go the Amazon route, as the recent buyer of Whole Food's home turf is in the cyberspace of retail.

"For obvious reasons competitively, it doesn't make sense for us to do a ton to help grow that business for them," Hjelm told the news source.

Competitively speaking, GCP's portfolio of products, services, and tools, enable its customers to modernize their operations for today's digital world, according to a press release.

Furthermore, Kroger is creating a cloud-enablement team to manage the portfolio. It will focus on different aspects like:

• Product management
• Private and public cloud engineering and operations
• Cloud architecture
• Code infrastructure
• Automation
• Security architecture

Comprised of specialized talent, including Kroger Technology associates and external recruits, the retailer did not give further details on the team itself. For more information about Kroger Technology, as well as possible career opportunities, click here.

Kroger