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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000056873-96-000011.txt : 19960710
<SEC-HEADER>0000056873-96-000011.hdr.sgml : 19960710
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000056873-96-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19960709
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		19960709
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KROGER CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000056873
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				310345740
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00303
		FILM NUMBER:		96592281

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1014 VINE ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137624000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>8-K FILED 7/9/96
<TEXT>






               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                      Washington, DC  20549





                            FORM 8-K

                         CURRENT REPORT




             Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                 Securities Exchange Act of 1934





                  Date of Report:  July 9, 1996


                   
                         THE KROGER CO.
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


An Ohio Corporation           No. 1-303          31-0345740
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                 Number)         Number)

1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH  45201
(Address of principal
executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number:  (513) 762-4000





Item 5.   Other Events
- -------   ------------

          On July 9, 1996, the Company released its press
          release regarding second quarter 1996 performance in
          the form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

          
Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -------   ---------------------------------

          (c)  Exhibits 

               99.1 Other Exhibits--Press Release Regarding
                    Second Quarter 1996 Performance
<PAGE>


                            SIGNATURE
                           ---------




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized.  


                              THE KROGER CO.


July 9, 1996                  By (Paul W. Heldman)
                                  Paul W. Heldman           
                                  Vice President, Secretary
                                    and General Counsel
















                          EXHIBIT INDEX
                        --------------


Exhibit                                      
- --------

99.1      Other Exhibits--Press Release Regarding Second
          Quarter 1996 Performance       

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

                          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.

                              # # #

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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