Social media has been buzzing with criticisms aimed at Kroger after a video featuring some of their cakes went viral. The clip, shared by a TikTok user from a Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia, showcased several cakes commemorating Juneteenth to mark the anniversary of General Gordon Granger’s arrival in Galveston, Texas in 1865, when he declared that enslaved people were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.
The TikTok user expressed disbelief, saying, “This is some bulls—. Who created this ugly cake?” They previously referred to another cake as “cute,” but were baffled by the lack of creativity in this one. Some commenters echoed the frustration, suggesting, “I should have turned the table over.” One user even remarked, “Fire the whole bakery for intentionality,” while another joked, “It was the last day at the bakery.”
Amidst the backlash, another TikTok user posted a response, calling it “absolute laziness” and expressing disappointment in Kroger for “slapping” something together instead of putting in a true effort. They felt that people would still appreciate nothing at all over what was showcased.
In reaction to the criticism, Kroger issued a statement acknowledging that the cakes and cookies featured were not aligned with the quality they aim to deliver. They mentioned that the items had been removed and that they were addressing the matter directly with their store team and the customers involved in the video.
Despite the cakes being taken down, the original TikTok poster voiced lingering dissatisfaction during a follow-up visit, noting, “Even so, I feel that they didn’t replace it with a better Juneteenth cake.”
