KING SOOPERS AND CITY MARKET ASSOCIATES RATIFY NEW CONTRACT

CINCINNATI, OH, March 7, 2005 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today said associates at its King Soopers and City Market divisions in Colorado have approved a new labor contract. The new agreement covers approximately 8,200 associates.

“We are extremely pleased that the federal mediator’s settlement option has been ratified,” said Don McGeorge, Kroger president and chief operating officer. “Scot Beckenbaugh, acting director of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and his staff played a critical role in the process, and we appreciate their contributions. Our associates will continue to receive good pay, promotional opportunities, affordable health benefits and a secure pension plan, while King Soopers will improve its labor cost competitiveness and financial stability. We thank our associates and customers for their patience during the past eight months.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,532 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) 795 convenience stores, 436 fine jewelry stores, 536 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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