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KROGER ENTERS AGREEMENT WITH NEW YORK'S MURRAY'S CHEESE

CINCINNATI, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR - News) today announced it has entered into an agreement with Murray's Cheese, based in New York City, to expand Kroger's specialty cheese program.

"We're thrilled to be pairing with Kroger," says Rob Kaufelt, President of Murray's Cheese. "As one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains, this opportunity gives Murray's an unprecedented chance to fulfill our mission, which is, simply, to bring great cheese to everyone."

"Our partnership with Murray's allows us to build on their expertise as we expand our cheese offerings for our customers," said Jeff Burt, Vice President of Deli Bakery Merchandising for Kroger.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The companies expect to begin offering Murray's Cheese in select Kroger stores in early 2008.

Murray's Cheese, founded in 1940 and based in Greenwich Village, is the oldest cheese shop in New York City. It has been named Best Cheese Shop in the World by Forbes.com and msnbc.com, and Best Cheese Shop in New York by Time Out New York. Murray's Zagat Marketplace rating is 29, making it the highest ranked of all gourmet stores in New York.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. In 2006, the Company donated $150 million to help hunger relief efforts across the country, raise awareness of breast cancer, and support local schools and organizations in the communities it serves. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 779 convenience stores, 408 fine jewelry stores, 652 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.