KROGER STORES EXPAND FUEL DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Shoppers Can Earn Double Fuel Discounts on Gift Card Purchases and Pharmacy Prescriptions Through the End of the Year

CINCINNATI, Ohio, October 30, 2008 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is making it easier for shoppers to save more and celebrate this holiday season by doubling fuel discounts on gift cards purchased in its stores through the end of the year. Starting November 1, gift cards for popular restaurants, stores and entertainment outlets purchased in Kroger stores will accumulate fuel discounts at double their purchased value, earning customers 10¢ off for every $50 in gift cards.

For the first time, pharmacy customers can now earn fuel discounts on eligible prescriptions.* When customers have two prescriptions filled at a Kroger pharmacy, they can earn 10¢ off per gallon in fuel discounts.

Most of the fuel discount programs offered by Kroger and its family of stores reward customers with a minimum of 10¢ off per gallon of gas for every $100 they spend in a store. Through these expanded holiday fuel discounts, customers can accumulate 10¢ off rewards faster through December 31, 2008.

Customers who use a loyalty card can accumulate and redeem fuel discounts they earn by shopping at Kroger-owned stores and participating gas stations the retailer operates across the country. The fuel discount programs are available and transferable at Kroger stores nationwide under the following banners: Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fry’s, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC and Scott’s stores.**

In addition, shoppers who use Kroger’s 1-2-3 REWARDS® MasterCard can earn discounts up to 15¢ off per gallon of gas in participating markets.

“We are offering our customers another way to help maximize their time, travel and savings this holiday season,” said Don McGeorge, president and chief operating officer of Kroger. “Our expanded fuel discounts are designed to appeal to shoppers on any budget.”

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the number one present people say they want to receive this year is a gift card. More than half – 54.5 percent – of the 7,000 consumers queried in the National Retail Federation’s 2008 Holiday Consumer and Actions Survey said they would like to receive a gift card or gift certificate this holiday season.

Kroger stores carry a variety of gift cards from a broad range of popular retail stores, restaurants, sports and entertainment outlets including iTunes, Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Limited Too, Outback, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Home Depot, Lowe’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Target. Kroger gift cards and select other prepaid gift cards are not included in the special promotion.

Kroger’s holiday fuel discount program is the latest in a series of initiatives the retailer has introduced or expanded to help customers save money on groceries, health care and other household staples in this economy. Other programs include:

    •  Offering generic drugs for $4 and 90-day prescriptions for only $10.

    •  Kroger’s growing line of exclusive, preferred private label products offered at great
        prices that are found only in Kroger’s family of stores. Kroger’s unmatched line of quality
        private label products such as Private Selection, Kroger brand and Value brands are a great
        way to help customers stretch their grocery dollars.

About Kroger

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains, is honored to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2008. The Company’s more than 320,000 associates serve customers in 2,476 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger associates also serve customers in 779 convenience stores, 393 fine jewelry stores and 737 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. The Company also operates 41 food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

*Certain programs and prescriptions are excluded. Please visit a Kroger pharmacy for details.

**Fuel discount programs differ in some areas including Kroger stores in Alabama, Michigan, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio metropolitan areas and Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Smith’s stores.

###

« Go back