THRASHER APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF FRED MEYER STORES

PORTLAND, OR, December 6, 1999 - Fred Meyer today announced that Kenneth Thrasher has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. He succeeds Mary F. Sammons, who has resigned to join Rite Aid Corp. as president and chief operating officer.

Mr. Thrasher, 50, has 17 years of experience with Fred Meyer. He most recently served as a senior vice president of The Kroger Co., focused on facilitating the merger between Fred Meyer and Kroger that was completed earlier this year. Prior to that, he was executive vice president of administration for Fred Meyer.

Mr. Thrasher has held a variety of management positions with Fred Meyer since joining the company in 1982 as vice president and treasurer. He was promoted to vice president of finance in 1987. Two years later, Mr. Thrasher was named senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. In 1997, he was appointed executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

Mr. Thrasher is a Portland native and graduated from Oregon State University in 1971 with bachelor's degrees in business administration and accounting. He is very active in the local community, most recently being honored with the 1998-99 William S. Naito Outstanding Service Award for his community leadership. He serves on the board of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Oregon Halfway House and the Albertina Kerr Centers. He also is a member of the advisory committees of the Oregon Business Council and Portland State University.

Fred Meyer Stores is based in Portland, Oregon and features 139 large, multi-department stores in six western states that offer one-stop shopping for a wide range of food, apparel, and general merchandise. Fred Meyer is part of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), which is the largest food retailer in the United States.

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