KROGER AGREES TO PURCHASE SEVEN WINN-DIXIE STORES IN DALLAS METROPLEX

CINCINNATI, OH, June 3, 2002 – As part of its continued expansion in Texas, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has reached an agreement to purchase seven Winn-Dixie supermarkets in the Dallas Metroplex, including stores in North Richland Hills, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Hurst, Arlington, the Colony and Mesquite.

The transaction, which is subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory review, is expected to close within 30 days. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The stores, which average approximately 52,000 square feet in size, are located in the following areas:

• 7201 Grapevine Hwy., N. Richland Hills
• 2525 I-20, Grand Prairie
• 6479 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth
• 708 East Pipeline, Hurst
• Hwy. 303 & Fielder, Arlington
• 6805 North Main, The Colony
• NWC Mathis & Lucas, Mesquite

All of the stores will become part of Kroger’s Southwest Division, which currently operates 208 stores in Texas and Louisiana.

“The purchase of these Winn-Dixie stores in the Dallas Metroplex is part of the Kroger expansion plan for 2002,” said Bob Zincke, president of Kroger’s Southwest division. “Kroger has already opened two new Signature stores in the Dallas Metroplex this year, and we plan to open three additional stores before 2003. We look forward to providing our customers in these areas with Signature service and to welcoming the associates of these Winn-Dixie 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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