KROGER REPORTS STRONG FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2006
Identical Supermarket Sales Rose 7.2% with Fuel and 5.6% without Fuel

CINCINNATI, OH, June 20, 2006 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today reported total sales increased 8.2% to $19.4 billion for the first quarter ended May 20, 2006. Identical supermarket sales increased 7.2% with fuel and 5.6% without fuel. This represents Kroger’s eleventh consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel.

Net earnings in the first quarter totaled $306.4 million, or $0.42 per diluted share. During the quarter, the Company increased its reserves associated with legal proceedings arising from hiring practices at its Ralphs subsidiary during the 2003-2004 labor dispute. The current quarter charge reduced earnings by $0.03 per diluted share.

Current quarter results also include $0.02 per diluted share for stock option expense to reflect the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.

Net earnings in the year-ago period were $294.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share.

“Kroger associates continue to focus on delivering improved service, selection and value to our customers and this has translated into another quarter of impressive identical sales growth. Our associates’ commitment to our Customer 1 st strategy enabled Kroger to pay – for the first time in 18 years – a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer.

Other highlights of the first quarter included:

• FIFO gross margin declined 61 basis points to 24.55% of sales. Excluding the effect of retail fuel operations, FIFO gross margin declined 9 basis points. Kroger continued to invest in lower prices for our customers. These targeted investments were partially funded by improvements in shrink, advertising, and warehousing expenses.
• Operating, general and administrative (OG&A) costs as a percentage of sales declined 19 basis points to 18.17%. Excluding the effect of retail fuel operations, the increase in legal reserves, and stock option expense, OG&A declined 16 basis points.
• Capital investment, including changes in construction-in-progress payables, totaled $449.9 million, compared to $400.6 million a year ago.
• Kroger repurchased 6.7 million shares of stock at an average price of $19.90 for a total investment of $133.5 million. At the end of the first quarter, there was $486.9 million remaining under the $500 million stock buyback announced last month. Since January 2000, Kroger has invested $3.1 billion to repurchase 162.4 million shares at an average price of $19.17 per share. Kroger expects to buy back stock in 2006 in accordance with the Company’s financial strategy of using one-third of free cash flow for debt reduction and two-thirds for share repurchase and cash dividend payments.
• Net total debt was $6.6 billion, a reduction of $829.3 million from a year ago and a reduction of $2.1 billion since January 2000. Net total debt includes a reduction of $526.1 million to reflect temporary cash investments (Table 5). Total debt was $7.2 billion, a reduction of $318.2 million from a year ago .

Kroger now expects identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel sales, to exceed 4.0% for the balance of the year. The Company originally forecasted identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel sales, in excess of 3.5% for fiscal 2006.

Kroger’s original guidance for earnings per share growth in 2006 of 6 – 8% did not contemplate the need to increase legal reserves. Based on first quarter results, the Company’s guidance for earnings per share growth in 2006 remains at 6 – 8%, including the increase in legal reserves. Absent the need to increase these reserves, Kroger’s projected earnings per share growth rate would be 9 – 11% for fiscal 2006.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,483 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s and Smith’s Marketplace, Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 783 convenience stores, 423 fine jewelry stores, 593 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by the words “expects,” “projected,” and “remains.” Increased competition, weather and economic conditions, interest rates, goodwill impairment, the success of programs designed to increase our sales, the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings arising from the hiring practices during the labor dispute at Ralphs, and future labor disputes, particularly as the Company seeks to manage increases in health care and pension costs, could materially affect our expected identical supermarket sales growth and earnings per share growth. The extent to which we are able to repurchase stock in accordance with our financial strategy of using one-third of cash flow for debt reduction and two-thirds for stock repurchase and cash dividends depends primarily on the price at which our stock trades and the availability of debt for repurchase. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein. Please refer to Kroger’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.

Note: Kroger's quarterly conference call with investors will be broadcast live via the Internet at 10 a.m. (ET) on June 20, 2006 at www.kroger.com and www.streetevents.com. An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available from approximately 1 p.m. (ET) today through June 30, 2006.

View 1st Quarter 2006 Reports - PDF Format:
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
COMPARABLE SUPERMARKET SALES
RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL DEBT TO NET TOTAL DEBT

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