-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LS/HKtZrFEdCvK72RpHQc9vEez505VwdwIPsINSMuXAVzTLjfmyryPqNVYu0gHrB
 Je13uzBuJNbvi0/IceMEdQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001021408-02-012472.txt : 20021011
<SEC-HEADER>0001021408-02-012472.hdr.sgml : 20021011
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20021011132311
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001021408-02-012472
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20021011
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20021011

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:			0102

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00303
		FILM NUMBER:		02787237

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1014 VINE ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137624000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K DATED OCTOBER 11, 2002
<TEXT>
<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       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: October 11, 2002



                                 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

<PAGE>

Item 9.           Regulation FD Disclosure

                  In response to a question, a Company spokesperson noted that
                  Kroger's labor agreements currently in effect provide for no
                  material future increases in required pension contributions.
                  The spokesperson added that asset values in pension plans
                  generally have declined and, in the absence of a recovery in
                  the securities markets, pension contributions are likely to be
                  a topic of discussion in future labor contract negotiations.
                  Pension costs in company-sponsored plans also are likely to
                  increase. This disclosure will not be deemed to be filed
                  pursuant to Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise
                  subject to the liabilities of that section unless we expressly
                  incorporate it by reference into a filing made under the
                  Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

<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.



October 11, 2002                            By: (Paul Heldman)
                                                Paul Heldman
                                                Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                                and General Counsel


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
