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In reality, this wouldn't be a difficult project to make a reality. A couple college students with pretty basic access to Kroger's tech infrastructure could make this a reality in a relatively short amount of time.

So why isn't it a thing? The idea that not all emoloyees have or have access to a smartphone with necessary capabilities is the first drawback. The minute Kroger expects employees to bring their own device to access company networks and systems is the minute Kroger would be, at least ethically, required to subsidize at least the percentage of the device and its service fees that are required to accomplish work tasks. That alone would easily surpass the costs associated with supplying 15 to 20 RF handhelds per store.
Next, data integrity and privacy are a concern. By limiting all network and system access to a few internal applications, Kroger can manage what happens inside their own buildings. Giving employees access to company-sensitive information opens all sorts of vulnerabilities, even if access is onu granted on a quarantined network within range of each building's network range. There's far too many vulnerabilities to list here, but just use your imagination as to what a few tech-savvy, disgruntled employees could do.
My last point revolves around the past success that Kroger has experienced. By providing 15-20 RF handhelds to each store across the country, they have managed to become one of the most profitable retailers in the nation. Providing employees the capability of accessing company networks and systems on personal smartphones isn't going to increase productivity enough to counter the costs and risks of doing so, and "employee convenience" doesn't come with an associated profitability increase. At least not in a retail environment.