Kroger cut its full-year identical-sales forecast excluding fuel to growth of 0.2% to 0.8%, from a previous range of 1% to 2%. Its shares fell about 3% in premarket trading. Second-quarter identical-sales growth slowed to 0.2% from 3.4% a year earlier and missed the 0.9% estimate compiled by LSEG. The revision comes as U.S. consumer sentiment weakened in August and retail sales unexpectedly declined in July for the first time in nine months, with middle- and lower-income households prioritizing essentials and value purchases amid persistent inflation. Kroger said the updated outlook includes a roughly 140-basis-point headwind from the Inflation Reduction Act, which reduced prescription-drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries and affected pharmacy revenue.