KROGER COMPLETES PURCHASE OF 16 OMAHA STORES FROM FLEMING

Deal for 15 Baker's Stores and One Food 4 Less Store Marks Kroger's Entry into Nebraska

CINCINNATI, OH, March 27, 2001 - The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has completed the previously announced purchase of 16 supermarkets in Omaha, Nebraska, from Fleming.

Under the agreement, Kroger has acquired 15 Baker's Supermarkets and one Food 4 Less® price-impact warehouse store in the Omaha area. The stores will continue to operate under their existing banners with the current employees as part of Kroger's Dillon Stores division based in Hutchinson, Kansas.

"We're delighted to welcome the Baker's and Food 4 Less employees to the Kroger family, and we look forward to serving customers in the greater Omaha area," said Bob Colvey, president of Dillon Stores.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company operated 2,354 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under nearly two dozen banners, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith's, King Soopers, Dillon, Fry's, City Market, Food 4 Less and Quality Food Centers. Kroger also operates 789 convenience stores, 398 fine jewelry stores, 77 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants.

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