Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxAccumulated other comprehensive loss Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash AcquiredPayments for acquisitions Additional Paid in Capital, Common StockAdditional paid-in capital Payments to Acquire Productive AssetsPayments for capital expenditures CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Cash and temporary cash investments: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying ValueCash and temporary cash investments End of quarter Beginning of year Interest PaidCash paid during the year for interest Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank OverdraftsDecrease in book overdrafts Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes PayableIncome taxes receivable and payable Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid ExpensePrepaid expenses Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in ReceivablesReceivables Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, TradeTrade accounts payable Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from acquisitions of businesses: Increase (Decrease) in Accrued LiabilitiesAccrued expenses Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Common Stock, Shares AuthorizedCommon stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Value, IssuedCommon stock, $1 par per share, 1,000 shares authorized; 955 shares issued in 2009 and 955 shares issued in 2008 Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block]COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Cost of RevenueMerchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below Current liabilities Liabilities, CurrentTotal current liabilities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, CurrentCurrent portion of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations Long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations Long-term Debt and Capital Lease ObligationsFace-value long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations Debt Disclosure [Text Block]DEBT OBLIGATIONS Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, NonproductionDepreciation and amortization Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Earnings Per Share, DilutedNet earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share (in dollars per share) Share-based CompensationStock-based employee compensation FIFO Inventory AmountFIFO inventory CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]INCOME TAXES Interest ExpenseInterest expense Inventory, LIFO ReserveLIFO credit Operating Leases, Rent ExpenseRent LIABILITIES LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' EquityTotal Liabilities and Equity LiabilitiesTotal Liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling InterestNoncontrolling interests Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing ActivitiesNet cash used by financing activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing ActivitiesNet cash used by investing activities Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating ActivitiesNet cash provided by operating activities Net Income (Loss) Attributable to ParentNet earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Operating Profit Operating Income (Loss)Operating profit Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, NetOther Other Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, net of income tax Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, income tax Realized loss on hedging activities, net of income tax Additional minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax Additional minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax Additional minimum pension liability adjustment, income tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxOther comprehensive gain net of income tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), TaxOther comprehensive gain, income tax Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, net of income tax Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, income tax Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing ActivitiesOther Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing ActivitiesOther Payments of DividendsDividends paid Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]BENEFIT PLANS Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by EmployerContribution to Company-sponsored pension plans Preferred Stock, Shares AuthorizedPreferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares IssuedPreferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Proceeds from Issuance of Common StockProceeds from issuance of capital stock Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term DebtProceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Sale of Productive AssetsProceeds from sale of assets Property, Plant and Equipment, NetProperty, plant and equipment, net Receivables, Net, CurrentReceivables Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital SecuritiesPayments on long-term debt Payments for Repurchase of Common StockTreasury stock purchases Treasury stock purchases Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)Accumulated earnings Sales Revenue, Goods, NetSales Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block]SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Text Block]STOCK OPTION PLANS Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY STOCK Disclosure of cash flow information: Income Taxes PaidCash paid during the year for income taxes Current assets Assets, CurrentTotal current assets Treasury Stock Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, DilutedAverage number of common shares used in diluted calculation (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, BasicAverage number of common shares used in basic calculation (in shares) Common Stock PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET AssetsTotal Assets Other Liabilities, CurrentOther current liabilities Other Liabilities, NoncurrentOther long-term liabilities DividendsCash dividends declared Cash dividends declared ($0.18 per common share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, DeclaredDividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) STOCK OPTION PLANS Deferred Tax Liabilities, CurrentDeferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, NoncurrentDeferred income taxes Statement [Table] ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) Treasury Stock, ValueCommon stock in treasury, at cost, 309 shares in 2009 and 306 shares in 2008 Earnings Per Share, BasicNet earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share (in dollars per share) Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing ActivitiesExcess tax benefits on stock-based awards Increase (Decrease) in Shareowners Equity Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per SharePreferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares, IssuedCommon stock, shares issued (in shares) Other Assets, NoncurrentOther assets Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling InterestEarnings before income tax expense Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per ShareCommon stock, par value per share (in dollars per share) Treasury Stock, SharesCommon stock in treasury, shares (in shares) Earnings before income tax expense Stockholders' Equity Attributable to ParentTotal Shareowners' Equity - The Kroger Co. Income Tax Expense (Benefit)Income tax expense Preferred Stock, Value, IssuedPreferred stock, $100 par per share, 5 shares authorized and unissued Comprehensive income Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments Increase (Decrease) in Retail Related InventoriesInventories Inventories Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] GoodwillGoodwill Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based CompensationShare-based employee compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options ExercisedStock options exercised Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options ExercisedStock options exercised (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, AcquiredTreasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares) Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block]GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES Comprehensive Income Treasury stock purchases, at cost Treasury stock purchases, at cost Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 11) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based CompensationTax benefits from exercise of stock options Shares, IssuedBeginning balance (in shares) Ending Balance (in shares) Earnings Per Share [Text Block]EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling InterestNet earnings including noncontrolling interests Net earnings including noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling InterestNet earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling InterestTotal Equity Beginning balance Ending Balance Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, NoncurrentPension and postretirement benefit obligations Noncontrolling Interest Commitments and ContingenciesCommitments and contingencies (see Note 11) Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, OtherOther Accounts Payable, Trade, CurrentTrade accounts payable Accrued Salaries, CurrentAccrued salaries and wages Stockholders' Equity, OtherOther Other SFAS No. 158 adjustment net of income tax Net earnings including noncontrolling interests Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. Document and Entity Information NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Deposits In-Transit Deposits in-transit Generally represents funds deposited to bank accounts, as of the balance sheet date, related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with credit cards and checks, to which the depositor does not have immediate access. Prefunded Employee Benefits Prefunded employee benefits Amount represents prepaid funds, as of the balance sheet date, in a Voluntary Employee Benefit Arrangement, used to pay employee medical expenses. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Current Prepaid and other current assets Aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of expenditures made in advance of the timing of recognition of expenses which are expected to be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations, which are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Operating, General and Administrative Expense Operating, general and administrative The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line, excluding rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses. Increase (Decrease) in Store Deposits In-Transit Deposits in-transit The net change during the reporting period in the amount of funds deposited to bank accounts related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with credit cards and checks, to which the depositor does not have immediate access. Payments on credit facility Borrowings Payments on Bank Revolver The cash inflow or outflow related specifically to borrowings under a Credit Facility, money market lines and commercial paper. Reconciliation of Capital Expenditures [Abstract] Reconciliation of capital expenditures: Capital Expenditures Total capital expenditures The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets, plus net change in construction in progress payables during the reporting period. Issuance of common stock: Treasury stock activity: Stock Options and Restricted Stock Exchanged, Shares Stock options exchanged (in shares) Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period using proceeds received from exercises of stock options and the tax benefits associated therewith. Variable Interest Entity, Net Cash Inflows (Outflows) Cash from Consolidated Variable Interest Entity Represents the inflow of cash due to the consolidation of a variable interest entity. These amounts were the initial investment in or loan to a consolidated variable interest entity, recognized upon consolidation of the variable interest entity. Long-Term Debt Including Obligations under Capital Leases and Financing Obligations Long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date, plus unamortized proceeds from discontinued fair value hedges and the fair value, as of the balance sheet date, of all derivatives designated as interest rate fair value hedging instruments. LIFO Charge LIFO charge Net change in LIFO Inventory reserve, which has no impact on cash. Changes in construction-in-progress payables Increase (Decrease) in Construction in Progress Payables Net change in construction in progress payables during the reporting period. Adjustment to reflect fair-value interest rate hedges Adjustment to Reflect Fair Value Interest Rate Hedges Represents unamortized proceeds from discontinued fair value hedges and the fair value, as of the balance sheet date, of all derivatives designated as interest rate fair value hedging instruments. Expense for Company-sponsored pension plans Represents the amount recognized for certain defined benefit pension benefit costs during the period. Pension expense includes the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss on plan assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments. Pension Expense, Defined Benefit Plans Stock Options and Restricted Stock Exchanged, Value Stock options exchanged Stock options exchanged Cost of common stock repurchased during the period using proceeds received from exercises of stock options and the tax benefits associated therewith. Recorded using the cost method. Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Text Block] RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Disclosure of new accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet adopted, including description of (1) the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement (for example, technical violations of debt covenant agreements and planned or intended changes in business practices.) Purchase of Non-Wholly Owned Entity Purchase of non-wholly owned entity The amount recorded for noncontrolling interest due to the purchase of a non-wholly owned entity. Restricted Stock Awards, Value Restricted stock issued Value of common stock surrendered / repurchased during the period to withhold for employee taxes due to the lapsing and issuance of restricted stock from common stock and treasury stock, respectively. Restricted Stock Awards, Shares Restricted stock issued (in shares) Shares of common stock surrendered / repurchased during the period to withhold for employee taxes due to the lapsing and issuance of restricted stock from common stock and treasury stock, respectively. Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)