KROGER CONFIDENT THAT PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF 18 RALEY'S STORES IN LAS VEGAS WILL CLEAR FTC REVIEW

CINCINNATI, OH, October 3, 2002 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today said it is looking forward to the completion of a customary review by the Federal Trade Commission of the Company's planned acquisition of 18 Raley's stores in Las Vegas.

"We are working with the FTC to answer any questions that it may have concerning our plans for the stores," said David B. Dillon, Kroger president and chief operating officer. "We are hopeful that the FTC's review process will be completed as soon as possible so that we can finalize the acquisition and begin converting these stores to our Smith's and Food 4 Less banners. We continue to believe that this transaction will benefit customers and provide job opportunities for Raley's employees, many of whom have already been interviewed by representatives of Smith's and Food 4 Less."

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company (either directly or through its subsidiaries) operated 2,429 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 (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 780 convenience stores, 436 fine jewelry stores and 41 food processing plants. Last year, Kroger contributed $129 million to support education, hunger relief and local non-profit organizations in the communities where the Company operates stores or manufacturing facilities. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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