KROGER ANNOUNCES NEW DIVISION REPORTING ASSIGNMENTS

CINCINNATI, OH, April 10, 2002 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced new division reporting assignments as part of a plan to strengthen its organizational structure and position the Company for continued growth.

Warren F. Bryant, Kroger senior vice president, will be responsible for the following retail divisions: Atlanta, Central, Delta, Fred Meyer Stores, QFC, Mid-Atlantic, and Jay C Food Stores. Mr. Bryant, who currently works at Fred Meyer’s division office in Portland (OR), will relocate to Kroger’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati.

Donald E. Becker, Kroger senior vice president, will be responsible for the following divisions: Cincinnati/Dayton, Mid-South, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Fry's.

James R. Thorne, Kroger senior vice president, will be responsible for Kroger’s Columbus, Michigan, Southwest, Dillon Stores, King Soopers, Smith's and Convenience Store divisions.

All three executives will continue to report to David B. Dillon, Kroger president and chief operating officer.

"This realignment of division reporting assignments reflects the success of Kroger’s merger integration and lays the foundation for continued growth in the years ahead," said Mr. Dillon.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2001, the Company (either directly or through its subsidiaries) operated 2,418 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace, Dillon, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operates 789 convenience stores, 427 fine jewelry stores, 227 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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