KELLY PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF KROGER PERSONAL FINANCE

CINCINNATI, OH, December 10, 2003 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Kathy Kelly has been promoted to Director of Kroger Personal Finance, effective immediately. She previously served as Director of Investor Relations, a post that she had held since 1997.

In this new position, Ms. Kelly will be responsible for enhancing the financial services currently offered within the Company’s stores.

“Kathy will work with our divisions and merchandising teams to design an array of financial products and services that will offer our customers great values and one-stop shopping convenience,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger vice chairman.

Ms. Kelly joined Kroger in 1985 as a Cash Management Specialist. She was promoted to Assistant Treasurer in 1990.

Carin Chabut has been promoted to Manager, Investor Relations. She most recently served as Manager of Retail Operations. Ms. Chabut joined Kroger in 1999 as Manager of Finance. She brings significant accounting experience to her new position and has been responsible for coordinating preparation of the Company’s annual business plan for the past several years.

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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