HODGE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 40 YEARS IN THE GROCERY INDUSTRY
COMPANY PROMOTES COVERT TO PRESIDENT OF CINCINNATI-DAYTON DIVISION

CINCINNATI, OH, December 23, 2004 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Robert J. Hodge, President of the Cincinnati-Dayton Division, will retire from the company at the end of January 2005 after 40 years in the grocery industry. He will be succeeded by Kroger Senior Vice President Geoffrey J. Covert.

Mr. Hodge, 67, began his long and distinguished career with Kroger in 1964 as a management trainee in St. Louis. He served as a meat buyer and merchandiser for Kroger marketing areas (KMAs) in St. Louis and Cleveland from 1964 until 1974, when he left the company to work for Ralph’s Grocery Company. He returned to Kroger and his hometown of St. Louis in 1977. (Ralph’s Grocery Company was acquired by Kroger in 1999 as part of the Kroger-Fred Meyer merger.)

During the next 27 years, Mr. Hodge held various positions, including President of Kroger operations in Atlanta, St. Louis, and Florida, and Vice President of Dillon Companies. He was corporate Senior Vice President of Kroger merchandising and manufacturing from 1988 until 1992, when he became President of the Cincinnati-Dayton marketing area. As President of the Cincinnati-Dayton KMA, Mr. Hodge increased Kroger’s regional operations from 89 to 108 stores.

“Bob Hodge’s contributions to Kroger are numerous,” said Don McGeorge, Kroger President and COO. “His dedication to serving the customer strengthened our presence in the Cincinnati-Dayton market that has withstood many new competitors. He will be best remembered for his commitment to developing his people to be the leaders of the company.”

Effective immediately, Geoffrey J. Covert is promoted to succeed Mr. Hodge as President of the Cincinnati-Dayton marketing area. Mr. Covert joined Kroger in 1996 after 22 years with The Procter & Gamble Company. He has held several positions with Kroger, including Vice President of grocery products, Group Vice President and President of Kroger manufacturing, and Senior Vice President.

“Geoff brings a wealth of experience to the position of President of the Cincinnati-Dayton Market Area,” said Mr. McGeorge. “We are confident that, under his leadership, Kroger in Cincinnati-Dayton will continue to be the market-leading choice for shoppers.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,531 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, Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 792 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, 520 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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