I've never had a problem with having a backpack in a store, but I'll never shop at Kroger's ever again just because they treat their employees like crap. For instance, my mom worked there several years ago, and every time she got a raise, they'd cut her hours so she wouldn't make any more money. Plus, they demanded that their employees join a union (and pay dues, of course), but they were only paying minimum wage, so not only were the employees making peanuts, but the union was completely worthless, as my mom soon discovered. That place radiates bad juju!