<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-18-073348.txt : 20181217
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-18-073348.hdr.sgml : 20181217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20181217163806
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-18-073348
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20181213
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20181217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20181217

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:			0202

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00303
		FILM NUMBER:		181238511

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1014 VINE ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137624000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1014 VINE ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a18-41742_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>


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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report:&#160; <b>December&nbsp;13, 2018</b></font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Date of earliest event reported)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE KROGER CO.</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No.&nbsp;1-303</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">31-0345740</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other   jurisdiction<br>   of incorporation)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File   Number)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer<br>   Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1014 Vine Street</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Cincinnati, OH&nbsp;45202</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:&#160; <b>(513) 762-4000</b></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.2in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&#160; Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.2in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&#160; Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.2in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.2in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule&nbsp;405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Emerging growth company </font><font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act. </font><font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 5.02</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>On December&nbsp;17, 2018, The Kroger Co. announced that J. Michael Schlotman, the Company&#146;s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is retiring effective December&nbsp;28, 2019.&#160; He will remain the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until April&nbsp;3, 2019 and will serve as Executive Vice President thereafter until his retirement on December&nbsp;28, 2019.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>On December&nbsp;17, 2018, The Kroger Co. announced that Gary Millerchip, 47, will be named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April&nbsp;4, 2019.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip is currently the CEO of Kroger Personal Finance, a division of the Company, and Corporate Strategy Integration Lead for The Kroger Co. and has held such position since April&nbsp;2014.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip has been the CEO of Kroger Personal Finance since 2010.&#160;&#160; There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip and any other person pursuant to which he was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip has not engaged in any transaction with the Company during the last fiscal year, and he does not propose to engage in any transaction, that would be reportable under Item 404(a)&nbsp;of Regulation S-K.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip is a current participant in the Company&#146;s executive compensation plans.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 9.01</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Financial Statement and Exhibits</p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Exhibits</p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release dated   December&nbsp;17, 2018</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;Index</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><a href="a18-41742_1ex99d1.htm#Exhibit99_1_103946" title="Click to goto ">Press Release dated December&nbsp;17, 2018</a></font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURE</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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 hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">THE KROGER CO.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">/s/ Christine S. Wheatley</font></i></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Christine S. Wheatley</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Group Vice President,   Secretary and General Counsel</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 99.1<a name="Exhibit99_1_103946"></a></font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="91" height="75" src="g417421mmi001.jpg"></font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Kroger Announces Succession Plan for <br> Chief Financial Officer, J. Michael Schlotman</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman to retire as CFO in April&nbsp;2019 and <br> will remain on through December 2019 to ensure smooth transition;</font></i></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Gary Millerchip, CEO of Kroger Personal Finance, appointed as successor</font></i></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CINCINNATI, December&nbsp;17, 2018</font></b> &#151; The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced its succession plan for Chief Financial Officer.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">J. Michael Schlotman, Kroger&#146;s Chief Financial Officer since 2000, has decided to retire in December&nbsp;of 2019. Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman will continue as CFO through the end of Kroger&#146;s fiscal 2018 and up to April&nbsp;3, 2019. He will then remain an executive vice president of the company and continue to sit on the senior leadership team to support the company during this transition period until December&nbsp;28, 2019.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Gary Millerchip, CEO of Kroger Personal Finance, will succeed Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kroger, effective April&nbsp;4, 2019.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Consistent with Kroger&#146;s governance history of thoughtful succession planning, Gary and Mike have a deliberate and thorough CFO transition plan with a singular focus &#151; a seamless transition to successfully deliver on the <i>Restock Kroger</i> financial commitments and then beyond in the role of Kroger&#146;s Chief Financial Officer,&#148; said Rodney McMullen, Kroger&#146;s chairman and CEO.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Michael Schlotman to Retire as Chief Financial Officer, The Kroger Co.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Mike is one of retail&#146;s most respected executives and has served Kroger for over thirty years. Mike is also one of the chief architects of <i>Restock Kroger</i>, our plan to create shareholder value by serving America through food inspiration and uplift,&#148; said Mr.&nbsp;McMullen. &#147;He and I have personally worked side by side for several decades. I deeply value Mike&#146;s contributions, the credibility he has earned with the financial community, and his leadership as a key member of our most-senior management team.&#148;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman started his career with </font>Coopers&nbsp;&amp; Lybrand accounting firm in Louisville, transferring to Cincinnati before joining Kroger in 1985. He was elected Vice President and Corporate Controller in 1995 and then elected Chief Financial Officer in January&nbsp;2000.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman is a member of the CNBC Global CFO Council. He sits on the board for The Ohio National Financial Services,&nbsp;Inc. and The Ohio National Life Insurance Company. He is Chairman of the Board for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport and a member of the University of Kentucky&#146;s Gatton College Accounting Advisory Board. In 2016, Mr.&nbsp;Schlotman was elected to the Gatton College of Business and Economics Hall of Fame.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Gary Millerchip to Lead the Finance Function, serving as Chief Financial Officer, The Kroger Co.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Gary&#146;s deep finance and business background, coupled with a successful track record of creating long-term shareholder value for The Kroger Co., make him an excellent choice for Kroger&#146;s Chief Financial Officer of the future,&#148; said Mr.&nbsp;McMullen.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip currently serves as CEO for Kroger Personal Finance, the division of Kroger that delivers financial and retail services through the Kroger family of brands and stores. He is also responsible for several retail grocery divisions and leads the integration of Kroger&#146;s corporate strategic initiatives. Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip has been at the table with the senior management team for five years, playing an essential role in driving strategy and partnerships that have contributed to Kroger&#146;s emergence from traditional grocer to growth company.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip came to Kroger in 2010 from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to lead Kroger Personal Finance, which has delivered double digit growth year-on-year, making it a valuable alternative profit stream for Kroger. Prior to that, Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip was responsible for the Royal Bank of Scotland Personal Credit Card business in the UK. Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip joined RBS in 1987 and held leadership positions in multiple disciplines during his time there. Mr.&nbsp;Millerchip earned a bachelor&#146;s degree in Financial Services from the University of Central England and a post-graduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He and his wife Gita live in Cincinnati with their two children.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">S</font></b><b>upporting <i>Restock Kroger</i> &#151; Creating Shareholder Value</b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Restock Kroger</font></i> is the blueprint for Kroger&#146;s business model transformation to offer customer&#146;s anything, anytime, anywhere, and asset-light, high-margin alternative partnerships and services. The Kroger ecosystem is benefitting from reduced costs with savings invested in associates, technology, and price to grow units, traffic and share. The new Kroger growth model will be a virtuous cycle, leveraging stores, logistics and data assets to create incremental new profit streams, which in turn further redefines the customer experience. Kroger&#146;s Chief Financial Officers of both today and tomorrow have played a major role in architecting this business transformation and remain committed to delivering on the 2020 <i>Restock Kroger</i> financial targets.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To download headshots of Mr. Schlotman and Mr. Millerchip, visit here (https://spaces.hightail.com/space/7RoxDxDYq1).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to&nbsp;<b>Feed the Human Spirit</b></font><b><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:bold;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">TM</font></b>. We are nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,765 retail food stores under a variety of banner names (https://parsley.kroger.com/PoliteMail/default.aspx?page=Kc3H67kEOUK7ipsbS6omcw&amp;ref_id=3seNi9AmRk6ablSQG3rfCw), serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom (https://parsley.kroger.com/PoliteMail/default.aspx?page=VCKUvjm6Ukinx_vQAyYIbg&amp;ref_id=3seNi9AmRk6ablSQG3rfCw) and investor relations site (https://parsley.kroger.com/PoliteMail/default.aspx?page=cwy9kr707ESe8s_bSDoxYA&amp;ref_id=3seNi9AmRk6ablSQG3rfCw).</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Kroger&#146;s ability to achieve its Restock Kroger financial commitments may be affected by Kroger&#146;s ability to manage labor negotiations or disputes; pricing and promotional activities of competitors; the state of the economy, including interest rates and inflationary and deflationary trends; changes in tariffs; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; the success of Kroger&#146;s future growth plans; the ability to execute on Restock Kroger; and the successful integration of merged companies and new partnerships. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#151;30&#151;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Contacts: Media: Kristal Howard (513) 762-1304; Investors: Rebekah Manis (513) 762-4969</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
