The Kroger Item API (KIA) — now live — is here to revolutionize how suppliers interact with Kroger's ecosystem and submit product data, replacing the Vendor Item Portal (VIP).
“KIA is a more streamlined, unified approach to product data submission … helping to improve data quality, speed to market, and overall efficiency,” says Porschea Bethea-Kirby, digital product manager at Kroger.
Jeff Mitchell, senior network success manager at Salsify, and Bethea-Kirby unpacked everything you need to know about making the move to KIA.
How Does Kroger Item API (KIA) Benefit Customers?
KIA reflects Kroger’s commitment to improving the data submission experience for consumer packaged goods (CPG) suppliers. It also delivers significant advantages for CPG suppliers and retailers transitioning from VIP.
- Reduced manual efforts: Automating the review and submission process means products can go live faster, now taking as little as 48 hours instead of two weeks.
- Flexibility for suppliers: CPGs retain control over product branding and storytelling while ensuring alignment with Kroger’s product detail page (PDP) guidelines.
- Simplified requirements: Kroger has reduced the attributes suppliers need for item setup and maintenance, streamlining workflows.
Kroger is also actively expanding KIA’s functionality.
“We value our CPGs’ voice and are constantly working toward process improvement based on supplier feedback,” she says. These enhancements aim to make the transition more inclusive and beneficial for all categories and suppliers.
Salsify Is Here To Help With the Transition
Salsify is a designated syndication provider for KIA. As a Salsify customer, you can choose Salsify to ensure your data continues to flow seamlessly to Kroger without interruption.
“A direct connection to Kroger was the number one … request from our customer community prior to launch,” Mitchell says. “We’ve already begun to see greater efficiency for those brands that use KIA, with some extremely high data quality and a reduced time to PDP.”
Please don’t hesitate to contact your Salsify account team to discuss your specific capabilities and support needs regarding the KIA connection.
Important Migration Deadlines and Resources
Noting that the migration is mandatory, Bethea-Kirby encourages suppliers to start migration conversations now and keep the dates below in mind.
- March 1, 2026: VIP will become read-only.
- April 1, 2026: VIP access is disabled.
- April 30, 2026: VIP is fully sunsetted.
If you would like additional support and resources:
Make the Migration Today
Transitioning to KIA isn’t just a necessity — it’s a significant opportunity for brands to accelerate speed to market, improve data quality, and gain control over product content.
“We know that exciting things are happening on the roadmap and can’t wait to see how KIA positively impacts the way our customers interact with Kroger,” Mitchell says.
Make sure your team is prepared for the March and April 2026 deadlines. Connect with Kroger’s support channels, consult with your Salsify rep, and start migrating today.
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