<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-22-039532.txt : 20220329
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-22-039532.hdr.sgml : 20220329
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20220329172103
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-22-039532
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20220329
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20220329

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:			0129

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00303
		FILM NUMBER:		22782077

	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
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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a)
of&nbsp;the </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Amendment No. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;)</B></P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed by the Registrant </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed by a party other than the Registrant
</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Check the appropriate box:</P>

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    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Preliminary Proxy Statement</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</B></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Definitive Proxy Statement</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Definitive Additional Materials</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>

<P STYLE="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>The Kroger Co.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant) </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):</P>

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    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">No fee required.</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
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    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.</FONT></TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11</FONT></TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Kroger Issues Statement Regarding Carl Icahn&rsquo;s
Intent to Nominate Two Director Candidates</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><I>Company highlights long-standing commitment
to responsible sourcing of pork products</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">CINCINNATI, March&nbsp;29, 2022 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today
announced that Carl Icahn has submitted an intent to nominate two director candidates &ndash; Alexis C. Fox and Margarita Pal&aacute;u-Hern&aacute;ndez
 &ndash; to stand for election to the Kroger Board of Directors at the Company&rsquo;s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The date for
the Annual Meeting has not been announced. Kroger shareholders are not required to take any action at this time.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Company issued the following statement:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in">The Kroger Board and management team maintain regular communications
with shareholders and other stakeholders on a range of matters, including those related to environmental, social and governance (ESG)
matters, and welcome open engagement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in">Kroger noted that it heard from Mr.&nbsp;Icahn for the first
time on Friday, March&nbsp;25, 2022, only days before he submitted his intent to nominate two director candidates. During this conversation,
Mr.&nbsp;Icahn voiced his concerns regarding animal welfare and the use of gestation crates in pork production.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in">As America&rsquo;s grocer, Kroger is committed to providing
fresh, affordable food for everyone. Responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain is embedded in how we operate and is of the highest
importance to our company. While Kroger is not directly involved in raising or the processing of any animals, we are committed to helping
protect the welfare of animals in our supply chain. Kroger has an established Responsible Sourcing Framework to clearly define our policies,
requirements and practices, including our Animal Welfare Policy, which articulates our expectation that all suppliers will have transitioned
away from gestation crates by 2025.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in">Our Board of Directors prioritizes ESG matters that affect
people, our planet and the food systems on which we all depend. Our Board and its committees have direct oversight of key ESG topics,
including animal welfare, which is overseen by our Public Responsibilities Committee (PRC). The PRC regularly discusses the topic of animal
welfare, given the Company&rsquo;s commitment to source gestation crate-free pork and the need to provide affordable, fresh food to our
customers. Kroger&rsquo;s Animal Welfare strategy and implementation is overseen by a multi-disciplinary internal Animal Welfare Management
Committee with representation from our Corporate Food Technology, Ethics and Compliance, Meat, Dairy and Egg Sourcing, and ESG teams.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Kroger</FONT>
regularly engages with key animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States. In early 2021, Kroger joined the
Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW), the world&rsquo;s first industry-led collaboration aimed at advancing animal welfare standards
throughout the global food supply chain.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Kroger
</FONT>works closely with our key suppliers to understand animal welfare topics and make progress together toward our commitments. We
also engage and solicit feedback from internal and third-party animal welfare subject matter experts, advocacy groups, and customers
to support our goals.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">The
Corporate Governance Committee of Kroger&rsquo;s Board </FONT>will review the proposed nominees in accordance with its governance policies
and practices, and the Board will present its formal recommendations in its preliminary proxy statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>About Kroger</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone&trade; and
dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit&reg;. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who
serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names. We are committed to creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the goals of our animal welfare policy. These statements
are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated
by the words &quot;expect,&quot; &ldquo;commit,&rdquo; &quot;continues,&quot; &ldquo;will,&rdquo; &quot;strategy,&quot; and &quot;goals.&quot;
These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially.
We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein. Please refer to Kroger's reports and filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Important Additional Information and Where to Find It</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A and WHITE
proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (&ldquo;SEC&rdquo;) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for its 2022
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE COMPANY&rsquo;S 2022 PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS
OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the 2022 proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy
statement and other documents that the Company files with the SEC from the SEC&rsquo;s website at www.sec.gov or the Company&rsquo;s website
at http://ir.kroger.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Certain Information Regarding Participants in Solicitation</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Company, its directors, its executive officers and its nominees
for election as director may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the matters to
be considered at the Company&rsquo;s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules&nbsp;of
the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of shareholders in connection with the Company&rsquo;s 2022 annual meeting, and
their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, which may be different from those of the Company&rsquo;s shareholders
generally, will be set forth in the Company&rsquo;s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders and the other
relevant documents to be filed with the SEC.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Contacts</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Media</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Kristal Howard</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Director of Media Relations / Corporate Communications</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Kroger Co.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">(513) 762-1304</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Andi Rose / Mahmoud Siddig / Allison Sobel</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">(212) 355-4449</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Investors</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Rob Quast</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Director of Investor Relations</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Kroger Co.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">(513) 762-4969</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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