Kroger Named One Of "100 Best Corporate Citizens" By Business Ethics Magazine For Third Consecutive Year

Kroger is Only U.S. Grocery Company Selected To The List This Year

CINCINNATI, OH, April 22, 2002 - For the third consecutive year, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has been named one of America's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Business Ethics, a national publication that highlights corporate social responsibility.

Kroger ranked 99th on the list, which honors companies that do the best job of serving seven groups: employees; stockholders; customers; women and minorities; the community; the environment; and overseas stakeholders. Kroger was the only U.S. grocery company selected for the list this year.

The magazine analyzed a variety of data - including volunteer and community activities, philanthropy, workforce diversity, employee benefits and safety issues - at 650 U.S. companies. Statistical analysis for the list was performed by researchers at Boston College's Carroll School of Management. Social ratings were provided by KLD Research & Analytics, a Boston research firm serving socially responsible investors.

A recent study indicates that socially responsible behavior actually pays off on the bottom line. The overall financial performance of the "100 Best" was "significantly better" than other companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, according to researchers at DePaul University.

"It is an honor to be recognized among the most socially responsible companies in America for the third consecutive year, particularly in light of the stricter criteria used by the researchers this year," said Joseph A. Pichler, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. "This award reflects the strong emphasis that Kroger has always placed on community involvement through charitable giving, volunteer work by our associates, and our support of schools, civic causes and hunger relief programs."

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2001, the Company (either directly or through its subsidiaries) operated 2,418 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillon, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operates 789 convenience stores, 427 fine jewelry stores, 227 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants.

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