KROGER ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT ON LABOR DISPUTE IN WEST VIRGINIA AREA

CINCINNATI, OH, December 9, 2003 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing labor dispute affecting 44 Kroger stores in the West Virginia area:

“Through the offices of federal mediation, the parties have reached an understanding concerning issues surrounding the work stoppage that will be presented to the employees on Thursday, December 11, for their vote.”

No additional information is available at this time.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,530 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 and Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly, through its subsidiaries or franchise agreements) 798 convenience stores, 445 fine jewelry stores, 442 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. (These store figures include locations affected by ongoing labor disputes.) The Company contributed $106 million last year to local communities and non-profit organizations. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com, where a wide variety of fine jewelry and holiday flowers are available at great prices.

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