CUMMINS PROMOTED TO FOOD 4 LESS PRESIDENT

CINCINNATI, OH, October 19, 2004 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Jay A. Cummins has been promoted to president of Food 4 Less, which operates 137 price-impact, warehouse-format supermarkets under the banners Food 4 Less in Southern California, Nevada, Illinois and Indiana, and Foods Co in Northern California.

Mr. Cummins has 32 years of experience in the grocery business. Prior to his promotion, he served as group vice president and general manager of Food 4 Less’ Midwest division in the Chicago area. Mr. Cummins directed the division’s successful expansion into Illinois and Indiana two years ago. During his career he has held a variety of management positions within the organization, including store director, grocery and general merchandising specialist, director of operations and administration, and district management.

“Jay brings a wealth of operations and merchandising experience to this position, and we are confident that under his leadership, Food 4 Less will continue to be the premier price-impact format in the nation,” said Don McGeorge, Kroger president and chief operating officer.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,536 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fry’s, Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 794 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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