More than 2,300 Kroger locations move money nationally and internationally in minutes

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, today announced the extension of its more than 30-year relationship with The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest grocery retailer. This agreement gives customers the ability to send and receive Western Union Money Transfer^® transactions across the United States or across the globe to more than 200 countries and territories, in minutes*. In addition, Customers can purchase money orders and pay their bills at more than 2,300 Kroger Family of Store locations across 34 states.

Odilon Almeida, President, Americas and European Union at Western Union, said, “Reinforcing our physical presence here in the U.S. further advances our cross border platform capability to move money across the globe with speed, ease and reliability, while giving our consumers the choice of cash or cashless pay-in and pay-out options.”

Carter Hunt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Western Union U.S., said, “For more than three decades, our successful collaboration with Kroger has allowed us to integrate international and domestic money transfer services, bill payments and money orders as a part of everyday shopping throughout the nation. It has given our customers in these communities peace of mind by simplifying movement of their money or facilitating bill payments with convenience and a high level of customer service.”

“Kroger is an important alliance and the trust between two reliable and service-driven brands is unrivaled,” said Hunt.

Kathleen Kelly, President Kroger Personal Finance, said, “We are very pleased to continue our long-standing collaboration with Western Union and to provide a wide range of Western Union products and services to our customers. Together, both organizations are focused on great service to customers while offering convenience, reliability and a wonderful shopping experience that will keep customers coming back!”

* Date available will be displayed on receipt for international transfers over $15. Service and funds availability depends on certain factors including the Service selected, the selection of delayed delivery options, special terms applicable to each Service, amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, consumer protection issues, identification requirements, delivery restrictions, agent location hours, and differences in time zones (collectively, “Restrictions”).

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of March 31, 2015, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About Kroger

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,626 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 780 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,342 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

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Source: Western Union