| Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest
retail grocery chains. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the
Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries)
2,447 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, Dillons, QFC and
City Market. Kroger also operates (either directly or through its
subsidiaries) 782 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, 307 supermarket
fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. |