FTC CLEARS WAY FOR KROGER TO ACQUIRE 18 RALEY'S STORES IN LAS VEGAS

CINCINNATI, OH, November 13, 2002 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that the Federal Trade Commission has completed its review of the Company's proposed acquisition of 18 Raley's stores in Las Vegas.

With the FTC review completed, Kroger and Raley's expect to close the transaction Friday, November 15, 2002. Smith's and Food 4 Less will begin converting the stores to their banners later this month.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,447 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, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operates (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 782 convenience, 439 fine jewelry stores, 307 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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