
                          EXHIBIT 99.1



CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 9, 1996) -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR)
said today that, although the performance by Company units was
generally strong in the second quarter, a six week strike at
its King Soopers division in Colorado had a significant
negative effect on quarterly sales and earnings.  Kroger will
report final second quarter results next week.

On a preliminary basis and excluding the effect of the strike,
fully diluted earnings per share before extraordinary items in
the 1996 second quarter would have been on target with
analysts' estimates.

Operations at King Soopers are returning to normal following
settlement of the strike and the ratification of a new three-
year contract at the 68-store division.

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