BURGON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM KROGER AFTER 33 YEARS

CINCINNATI, OH, February 16, 2006 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today said Senior Vice President John Burgon has announced his retirement, effective February 25, after 33 years in the grocery business.

Mr. Burgon, 59, has served in his current role, in which he is responsible for five retail divisions, since September 2004. Prior to that, he was president of Ralphs Grocery Co. in southern California. He also spent four years as president of King Soopers in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Burgon began his retail career with King Soopers in 1973 as a produce clerk. He later held a variety of upper-level management positions within several Kroger divisions, including executive vice president of Fry's and later vice president of Dillon Companies.

“John’s focus on fulfilling the needs of our customers through better service, selection and value has played an important role in Kroger’s growth over the years,” said Don McGeorge, Kroger president and chief operating officer.

Mr. Burgon’s successor will be announced at a later date.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,510 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s and Smith’s Marketplace, Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 792 convenience stores, 431 fine jewelry stores, 567 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.thekrogerco.com.

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