With a better-than-expected year and a positive outlook, Kroger Co. is reinvesting in its Smith's Food & Drug division. While Kroger's same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, are expected to rise by 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent this year, the company has implemented new technology and lowered prices throughout all Smith's stores. The company is looking to shore up its customers' loyalty while it continues to gain strength in the competitive grocery industry. "Our sales are robust and our customers seem very satisfied. So we're reinvesting in Las Vegas," said Marsha Gilford, Smith's vice president public affairs. "We've reinvested profits and lowered prices throughout the stores." In March, Kroger reported a year-end net profit of $1.4 billion, up 5 percent from the year prior.