KROGER AGREES TO PURCHASE 17 ALBERTSON’S STORES PRIMARILY IN HOUSTON.

CINCINNATI, OH, April 11, 2002 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has reached an agreement to purchase 17 supermarkets and two vacant parcels of land located primarily in the Houston area from Albertson’s Inc.

Both companies expect to complete the transaction, which is subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory review, within 45 days. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sixteen of the Albertson’s stores that Kroger has agreed to purchase are located in the Houston area, which ranks among the 10 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the nation. One store is located in Sulphur, Louisiana. (Please see attached store list.) All of the stores will become part of Kroger’s Southwest Division, which currently operates 190 stores in Texas and Louisiana.

The 17 stores average approximately 60,000 square feet in size; all of the stores include pharmacies.

“We believe these stores will provide exciting growth opportunities for Kroger as we continue to expand our business in Houston,” said Bob Zincke, president of Kroger’s Southwest Division. “We look forward to welcoming the associates of these Albertson’s stores to the Kroger family. We plan to meet with these associates as soon as possible to discuss career opportunities with Kroger.”

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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