KROGER TO HELP CUSTOMERS REACH OUT TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS THROUGH DONATIONS TO AMERICAN RED CROSS RELIEF EFFORT

CINCINNATI, OH, January 4, 2005 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today said it would accept donations from customers throughout the month of January for the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

Beginning this week, customer donations will be accepted at all of the Company’s more than 3,300 supermarkets, multi-department stores, and convenience stores. All monies collected will be forwarded directly to the Red Cross for the international relief efforts in southern Asia and eastern Africa.

Kroger also will offer its 300,000 associates a convenient way to help, and the company’s foundations (The Kroger Co. Foundation, Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation, and The Fred Meyer Foundation) will match donations from Company associates up to a total of $300,000.

“Our customers and associates have a long history of responding generously to help those in need,” said Lynn Marmer, Kroger group vice president of corporate affairs. “Every contribution will help and Kroger is pleased to assist our local communities in reaching out to the survivors of this terrible disaster.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,531 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fry’s, Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 792 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, 520 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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