KROGER TEAMS UP WITH CMS TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO SENIORS INTERESTED IN NEW MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

CINCINNATI, OH, July 25, 2005 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is partnering with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help enroll some of the more than 8 million lower-income individuals who are eligible for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit that takes effect January 1, 2006.

Kroger’s 1,900+ pharmacies are working with CMS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to target lower-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities eligible for this program who will not be enrolled automatically by CMS and SSA.

The Company has launched outreach programs designed both to enroll these individuals and to help educate them about the new Medicare drug program. The outreach includes assisting customers in the application process and training pharmacy staff to answer customers’ questions about the Medicare Part D program.

“Our trusted pharmacists are committed to providing customers with the information they need to make informed decisions about this important new prescription drug benefit program,” said Lincoln Lutz, Kroger corporate vice president of pharmacy.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,524 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, 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) 793 convenience stores, 432 fine jewelry stores, 552 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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