KROGER REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Identical Supermarket Sales Rose 5.6% without Fuel Company Confirms Fiscal 2008 Identical Supermarket Sales Guidance; Raises Fiscal 2008 Earnings Per Share Guidance and Outlines Fiscal 2009 Identical Supermarket Sales Guidance of 3% to 5% without Fuel

CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 9, 2008 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today reported total sales of $17.6 billion for the third quarter ended November 8, 2008, an increase of 9.0% over the same period last year. Identical supermarket sales increased 5.6% without fuel and 7.8% with fuel compared with the same quarter last year.

Net earnings in the third quarter totaled $237.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. These results include an after-tax charge of $15.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to Kroger’s $25 million insurance deductible for disruption and damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Excluding this charge from Hurricane Ike, third quarter net earnings were $253.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share (Table 6).

Net earnings in the same period last year were $253.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share. Those results included a tax benefit that was partially offset by low fuel margins and incremental investments in Kroger’s Customer 1st strategy. This benefit increased net earnings by approximately $0.02 to $0.03 per diluted share.

“Kroger’s sales continue to be strong in this tough economy. We know our customers are increasingly feeling pressured in today’s environment. Kroger’s focus on low prices, quality products and providing a convenient, one-stop solution for their daily needs is resonating with our customers,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. “Our associates continue to build customer loyalty through our Customer 1st strategy, which allows us to create a solid return for our shareholders even as the economy presents new challenges.”

FIFO Gross Margin
Including Kroger’s retail fuel operations, FIFO gross margin (Table 1) was 23.30% of sales, a decline of 8 basis points compared to the third quarter last year. Excluding retail fuel operations, FIFO gross margin declined 15 basis points and supermarket selling gross margin declined 27 basis points. Kroger continued its strategy of providing savings to customers through strategic price reductions.

LIFO
The Company recorded a $68.8 million LIFO charge during the quarter, an increase of $28.8 million over the prior year. Excluding retail fuel sales, the LIFO charge increased 18 basis points as a rate of sales compared to the prior year. The higher LIFO charge primarily reflects the effect of rising food inflation on the Company’s merchandise inventory valuation.

Operating, General & Administrative (OG&A) Costs
Including Kroger’s retail fuel operations, OG&A costs were 17.42% of sales, a decline of 7 basis points compared to the third quarter last year. Excluding retail fuel operations, the OG&A rate increased 40 basis points. Of this increase, 17 basis points stem from the $25 million charge related to Hurricane Ike, 13 basis points are related to higher health care costs and 5 basis points were associated with expenses affected by higher oil and energy costs.

Rent and Depreciation
Including Kroger's retail fuel operations, rent and depreciation expense was 2.76% of sales, a decrease of 12 basis points compared to the third quarter last year. Excluding retail fuel operations, rent and depreciation expense declined 4 basis points as a rate of sales.

Financial Strategy
“Kroger’s balance sheet is strong. Our company’s financial strength has been a competitive advantage for several years, and is even more so in the current environment,” Mr. Dillon said. “Kroger’s strong financial position gives us the flexibility to continue investments in our successful Customer 1st strategy and store base that will create value for our shareholders in the future while delivering near-term financial results.”

Kroger is using its cash flow to leverage its financial strength and support an appropriate level of liquidity under current economic conditions. Currently, cash flow is being allocated primarily to capital investments, debt reduction and dividend payments.

Capital investment, excluding acquisitions, totaled $603.9 million for the third quarter, compared to $555.3 million in the prior year. Capital projects during the third quarter included 14 new, expanded, or relocated stores and 55 remodels. The Company expects to open, expand or relocate approximately 60 stores and complete between 165 and 180 store remodels during fiscal 2008.

Total debt was $8.0 billion, an increase of $553.0 million from a year ago. On a rolling four-quarters basis, Kroger's net total debt (Table 5) to EBITDA ratio was 1.96 compared with 2.02 during the same period last year. Kroger expects continued improvement in its leverage metrics.

During the third quarter, Kroger repurchased 3.1 million shares of stock at an average price of $27.89 per share for a total investment of $86.6 million. At the end of the quarter, $492.8 million remained under the $1 billion stock repurchase program announced in January 2008.

Fiscal 2008 Year-to-Date Results
During the first three quarters of fiscal 2008, total sales increased 10.9% to $58.7 billion over the same period last year. Identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, increased 5.4% compared with the same period a year ago. The Company’s operating margin for the first three quarters of fiscal 2008 decreased 11 basis points from the same period in fiscal 2007. Excluding fuel, charges for labor unrest in the first quarter of 2007 and the effect of Hurricane Ike, Kroger’s operating margin for the first three quarters of fiscal 2008 decreased 21 basis points from the same period last year. Of the 21 basis point decline in fiscal 2008, 10 basis points are related to the higher LIFO charge.

Net earnings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2008 were $900.2 million, or $1.36 per diluted share. Net earnings for the same period last year were $857.6 million, or $1.22 per diluted share.

Guidance
Kroger confirmed its identical supermarket sales guidance for fiscal 2008 and said it expects full-year identical supermarket sales growth of 4.5% to 5.5%, excluding fuel.

The Company raised its fiscal 2008 earnings per share guidance and said it expects full-year earnings of $1.88 to $1.91 per diluted share, excluding the $0.03 per diluted share charge related to Hurricane Ike. This equates to an annual growth rate of 11% to 13% over fiscal 2007 earnings of $1.69 per diluted share and implies a fourth quarter earnings range of $0.49 to $0.52 per diluted share. Kroger’s dividend yield of more than 1% further enhances shareholder return. This guidance range considers the cautious mindset of many consumers this holiday season.

“Kroger’s third quarter performance demonstrates the strength of our Customer 1st strategy, which continues to benefit customers, associates and shareholders in this uncertain economy. We are on track to deliver another year of solid results and we believe our approach is the right path to generate sustainable growth well into the future,” Mr. Dillon said. “Looking ahead to 2009, we are currently projecting identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel, of 3% to 5%. This will enable Kroger to generate earnings per share growth that, combined with Kroger’s dividend, will create a favorable return for shareholders even in a difficult economic environment.”

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 2,477 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 778 convenience stores, 392 fine jewelry stores and 750 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.

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This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by words such as “projecting,” “guidance” and “expects.” Increased competition, weather, economic conditions, interest rates, goodwill impairment, the success of programs designed to increase our identical supermarket sales without fuel, and labor disputes, particularly as the Company seeks to manage increases in health care and pension costs, could materially affect our expected identical supermarket sales growth, earnings per share, and earnings per share growth. Earnings per share and earnings per share growth also will be affected by the number of shares outstanding and volatility in the Company’s fuel margins. The number of store projects that we complete could vary from our expectations if we are unsuccessful in acquiring suitable sites for new stores or store projects are not completed in the time frame expected. Our ability to reduce our ratio of net total debt to EBITDA could be affected by unanticipated increases in net total debt, our inability to generate free cash flow at the levels anticipated, and our failure to generate expected earnings. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein. Please refer to Kroger’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.

Note: Kroger's quarterly conference call with investors will be broadcast live via the Internet at 10 a.m. (ET) on December 9, 2008 at www.kroger.com and www.streetevents.com. An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available from approximately 1 p.m. (ET) today through December 19, 2008..

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View 3rd Quarter 2008 Reports - PDF Format:
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES INFORMATION
RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL DEBT TO NET TOTAL DEBT
HURRICANE IKE

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