The grandfather of grocers Founded in 1883, Kroger (NYSE: KR) is one of the oldest and largest food retailers around. As the top dog, Kroger has decided to keep doing what it does best: sell food. However, it's also creating a one-stop-shop experience by integrating pharmacies and fuel stations into almost half of its stores. Throw in a reasonably navigable website supporting its rewards program and online coupons, and Kroger seems to be maintaining a healthy balance between traditional and innovative.