KROGER COMPLETES PURCHASE OF 17 ALBERTSON’S STORES PRIMARILY IN HOUSTON

CINCINNATI, OH, May 10, 2002 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has completed the previously announced purchase of 17 supermarkets primarily in the Houston area from Albertson’s Inc.

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

“We’re delighted to welcome these stores to the Kroger family and we’re looking forward to offering our customers additional convenience, selection and value,” said Bob Zincke, president of Kroger’s Southwest Division.

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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