
                                                  Exhibit 5.2
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE      DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
P.O. BOX 2508
CINCINNATI, OH 45201
                               Employer Identification Number:
Date: JAN 18 1996                            31-0345740
                                   DLN:
THE KROGER CO.                          315087003
C/0 WILLIAM M. FREEDMAN, ESQ.      Person to Contact:
DINSMORE & SHOHL                        STEVEN C. NIEBERDING
1900 CHEMED CENTER, 255 EAST FIFTH Contact Telephone Number:
CINCINNATI, OH 45202                         (513) 684-3866
                                   Plan Name:
                                   THE KROGER CO. SAVINGS PLAN
                                   Plan Number: 004


Dear Applicant:  

     We have made a favorable determination on your plan,
identified above, based on the information supplied.  Please
keep this letter in your permanent records.  

     Continued qualification of the plan under its present
form will depend on its effect in operation.  (See section
1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations.)  We will review
the status of the plan in operation periodically.  

     The enclosed document explains the significance of this
favorable determination letter, points out some features that
may affect the qualified status of your employee retirement
plan, and provides information on the reporting requirements
for your plan.  It also describes some events that
automatically nullify it.  It is very important that you read
the publication.  

     This letter relates only to the status of your plan under
the Internal Revenue Code.  It is not a determination
regarding the effect of other federal or local statutes.  

     This determination is subject to your adoption of the
proposed amendments submitted in your letter dated December
20, 1995.  The proposed amendments should be adopted on or
before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code
section 401(b).  

     This determination letter is applicable for the
amendment(s) adopted on December 31, 1994.  

     This plan has been mandatorily disaggregated,
permissively aggregated, or restructured to satisfy the
nondiscrimination requirements.  

     This plan satisfies the nondiscrimination in amount
requirement of section 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) of the regulations
on the basis of a design-based safe harbor described in the
regulations.  

     This letter is issued under Rev. Proc. 93-39 and
considers the amendments required by the Tax Reform Act of
1986 except as otherwise specified in this letter.  

     This plan satisfies the nondiscriminatory current
availability requirements of section 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) of the
regulations with respect to those benefits, rights, and
features that are currently available to all employees in the
plan's coverage group.  For this purpose, the plan's coverage
group consists of those employees treated as currently
benefiting for purposes of demonstrating that the plan
satisfies the minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b)
of the Code.  

     This plan also satisfies the requirements of section
1.401(a)(4)-4(b) of the regulations with respect to the
specific benefits, rights, or features for which you have
provided information.  

     This letter may not be relied upon with respect to
whether the plan satisfies the qualification requirements as
amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465.  

     We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative
as indicated in the power of attorney.  

     If you have questions concerning this matter, please
contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown
above.  

                                   Sincerely yours,


                                   (C. Ashley Bullard)
                                   C. Ashley Bullard
                                   District Director
Enclosures:
Publication 794
Reporting & Disclosure Guide
   for Employee Benefit Plans

