KROGER HELPS CUSTOMERS RING IN THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON WITH NEW PREPAID MASTERCARD GIFT CARDS

CINCINNATI, OH, November 23, 2005 – With the official start of the holiday shopping season Friday, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is ready to help customers ring in the season with new prepaid MasterCard gift cards that make the perfect present for family, friends or anyone else on their shopping lists.

Approximately 2,000 Kroger-owned stores around the country are offering “A Gift For You” prepaid MasterCard debit cards in denominations of $25, $50 and $100. The gift cards can be redeemed anywhere MasterCard debit cards are accepted, including online.

“The addition of prepaid MasterCard gift cards means shopping at your local Kroger-owned store is more convenient than ever during the holiday season,” said Kathy Kelly, president of Kroger Personal Finance.

The prepaid gift cards are available at most Kroger-owned stores, except for Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Food 4 Less. A small purchase fee is applied at checkout.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,515 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) 791 convenience stores, 431 fine jewelry stores, 559 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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