The Kroger Co. (KR) 10-K 31 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Aug. 16, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	KROGER CO
Entity Central Index Key	56873
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$24.60
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		953,668,959
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and temporary cash investments	$268	$401
Store deposits in-transit	988	958
Receivables	1,266	1,116
FIFO inventory	6,933	6,801
LIFO reserve	-1,245	-1,150
Prepaid and other current assets	701	704
Total current assets	8,911	8,830
Property, plant and equipment, net	17,912	16,893
Intangibles, net	757	702
Goodwill	2,304	2,135
Other assets	672	721
Total Assets	30,556	29,281
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	1,885	1,657
Trade accounts payable	5,052	4,881
Accrued salaries and wages	1,291	1,150
Deferred income taxes	287	248
Other current liabilities	2,888	2,769
Total current liabilities	11,403	10,705
Long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations
Face-value of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	9,771	9,654
Adjustment to reflect fair-value interest rate hedges		-1
Long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	9,771	9,653
Deferred income taxes	1,209	1,381
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	1,463	901
Other long-term liabilities	1,268	1,246
Total Liabilities	25,114	23,886
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred shares, $100 par per share, 5 shares authorized and unissued
Common shares, $1 par per share, 1,000 shares authorized; 959 shares issued in 2014 and 2013	959	959
Additional paid-in capital	3,707	3,549
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-812	-464
Accumulated earnings	12,367	10,981
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 472 shares in 2014 and 451 shares in 2013	-10,809	-9,641
Total Shareholders' Equity - The Kroger Co.	5,412	5,384
Noncontrolling interests	30	11
Total Equity	5,442	5,395
Total Liabilities and Equity	$30,556	$29,281

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Preferred shares, per share (in dollars per share)	$100	$100
Preferred shares, shares authorized	5	5
Preferred shares, shares unissued	5	5
Common shares, par per share (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common shares, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Common shares, shares issued	959	959
Common shares in treasury, shares	472	451

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Sales	$25,207	$24,987	$25,310	$23,222	$22,470	$22,686	$32,961	$29,997	$108,465	$98,375	$96,619
Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	19,547	19,764	20,136	18,397	17,866	18,059	26,065	23,817	85,512	78,138	76,726
Operating, general and administrative	4,119	3,954	3,920	3,558	3,537	3,506	5,168	4,593	17,161	15,196	14,849
Rent	162	162	166	147	138	139	217	189	707	613	628
Depreciation and amortization	467	456	444	402	395	387	581	519	1,948	1,703	1,652
Operating profit	912	651	644	718	534	595	930	879	3,137	2,725	2,764
Interest expense	115	114	112	107	108	99	147	129	488	443	462
Earnings before income tax expense	797	537	532	611	426	496	783	750	2,649	2,282	2,302
Income tax expense	274	172	182	184	125	176	274	266	902	751	794
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	523	365	350	427	301	320	509	484	1,747	1,531	1,508
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	3	3	5	2	3	8	3	19	12	11
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$518	$362	$347	$422	$299	$317	$501	$481	$1,728	$1,519	$1,497
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$1.06	$0.74	$0.71	$0.82	$0.58	$0.61	$0.99	$0.93	$3.49	$2.93	$2.78
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	486	486	485	511	515	515	501	514	490	514	533
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$1.04	$0.73	$0.70	$0.81	$0.57	$0.60	$0.98	$0.92	$3.44	$2.90	$2.77
Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	493	492	491	517	521	521	507	520	497	520	537
Dividends declared per common share	$0.19	$0.19	$0.17	$0.17	$0.17	$0.15	$0.17	$0.15	$0.70	$0.63	$0.53

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Feb. 01, 2014		Feb. 02, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	$1,747		$1,531		$1,508
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of income tax	5	[1]	5	[1]
Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, net of income tax	-329	[2]	295	[2]	75	[2]
Unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax	-25	[3]	-12	[3]	13	[3]
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax	1	[4]	1	[4]	3	[4]
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-348		289		91
Comprehensive income	1,399		1,820		1,599
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19		12		11
Comprehensive income attributable to The Kroger Co.	$1,380		$1,808		$1,588
[1]	Amount is net of tax of $3 in 2014 and 2013.
[2]	Amount is net of tax of $(193) in 2014, $173 in 2013 and $45 in 2012.
[3]	Amount is net of tax of $(14)B in 2014, $(8) in 2013 and $7 in 2012.
[4]	Amount is net of tax of $1 in 2013 and $2 in 2012.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, income tax	$3	$3
Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, income tax	-193	173	45
Unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, income tax	-14	-8	7
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, income tax		$1	$2

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	$1,747	$1,531	$1,508
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,948	1,703	1,652
Asset impairment charge	37	39	18
LIFO charge	147	52	55
Stock-based employee compensation	155	107	82
Expense for Company-sponsored pension plans	55	74	89
Deferred income taxes	73	72	176
Other	72	47	23
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from acquisitions of businesses:
Store deposits in-transit	-27	25	-169
Inventories	-147	-131	-78
Receivables	-141	-8	-126
Prepaid and other current assets	2	-49	-257
Trade accounts payable	135	196	188
Accrued expenses	197	77	67
Income taxes receivable and payable	-68	-47	164
Contribution to Company-sponsored pension plans		-100	-71
Other	-22	-15	-367
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,163	3,573	2,954
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts	-2,831	-2,330	-2,062
Proceeds from sale of assets	37	24	49
Payments for acquisitions	-252	-2,344	-122
Other	-14	-121	-48
Net cash used by investing activities	-3,060	-4,771	-2,183
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	576	3,548	863
Payments on long-term debt	-375	-1,060	-1,445
Net borrowings (payments) of commercial paper	25	-395	1,275
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock	110	196	110
Treasury stock purchases	-1,283	-609	-1,261
Dividends paid	-338	-319	-267
Other	49		4
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	-1,236	1,361	-721
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	-133	163	50
Cash and temporary cash investments:
Beginning of year	401	238	188
End of year	268	401	238
Reconciliation of capital investments:
Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts	-2,831	-2,330	-2,062
Payments for lease buyouts	135	108	73
Changes in construction-in-progress payables	-56	-83	-1
Total capital investments, excluding lease buyouts	-2,752	-2,305	-1,990
Disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for interest	477	401	438
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$941	$679	$468

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Jan. 28, 2012	$959	$3,427	($8,132)	($844)	$8,571	($15)	$3,966
Balances (in shares) at Jan. 28, 2012	959		398
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			110				110
Stock options exercised (in shares)			-7
Restricted stock issued		-59	40				-19
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			-2
Treasury stock activity:
Treasury stock purchases, at cost			-1,165				-1,165
Treasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares)			51
Stock options exchanged			-96				-96
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			5
Share-based employee compensation		82					82
Other comprehensive gain (loss) net of income tax of $(204), $169 and $54 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively				91			91
Other		1	6			11	18
Cash dividends declared ($0.70, $0.63 and $0.53 per common share for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)					-281		-281
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests					1,497	11	1,508
Balances at Feb. 02, 2013	959	3,451	-9,237	-753	9,787	7	4,214
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 02, 2013	959		445
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			196				196
Stock options exercised (in shares)			-9
Restricted stock issued		-60	26				-34
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			-2
Treasury stock activity:
Treasury stock purchases, at cost			-338				-338
Treasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares)			9
Stock options exchanged			-271				-271
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			8
Share-based employee compensation		107					107
Other comprehensive gain (loss) net of income tax of $(204), $169 and $54 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively				289			289
Other		51	-17			-8	26
Cash dividends declared ($0.70, $0.63 and $0.53 per common share for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)					-325		-325
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests					1,519	12	1,531
Balances at Feb. 01, 2014	959	3,549	-9,641	-464	10,981	11	5,395
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 01, 2014	959		451
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			110				110
Stock options exercised (in shares)			-5
Restricted stock issued		-91	40				-51
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			-2
Treasury stock activity:
Treasury stock purchases, at cost			-1,129				-1,129
Treasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares)			25
Stock options exchanged			-154				-154
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			3				3
Share-based employee compensation		155					155
Other comprehensive gain (loss) net of income tax of $(204), $169 and $54 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively				-348			-348
Other		94	-35				59
Cash dividends declared ($0.70, $0.63 and $0.53 per common share for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)					-342		-342
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests					1,728	19	1,747
Balances at Jan. 31, 2015	$959	$3,707	($10,809)	($812)	$12,367	$30	$5,442
Balances (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2015	959		472

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_CHAN1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other comprehensive gain (loss), income tax	($204)	$169	$54
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.70	$0.63	$0.53

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES

ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	1.ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed in preparing these financial statements.
	Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The Kroger Co. (the “Company”) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of January 31, 2015, the Company was one of the largest retailers in the nation based on annual sales.  The Company also manufactures and processes food for sale by its supermarkets.  The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary.  Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
	Fiscal Year
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31.  The last three fiscal years consist of the 52-week periods ended January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 and the 53-week period ended February 2, 2013.
	Pervasiveness of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities.  Disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period is also required.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally on a last-in, first-out “LIFO” basis) or market.  In total, approximately 95% of inventories in 2014 and 2013 were valued using the LIFO method.  Cost for the balance of the inventories, including substantially all fuel inventories, was determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  Replacement cost was higher than the carrying amount by $1,245 at January 31, 2015 and $1,150 at February 1, 2014.  The Company follows the Link-Chain, Dollar-Value LIFO method for purposes of calculating its LIFO charge or credit.
	The item-cost method of accounting to determine inventory cost before the LIFO adjustment is followed for substantially all store inventories at the Company’s supermarket divisions.  This method involves counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts) of each item and recording the cost of items sold. The item-cost method of accounting allows for more accurate reporting of periodic inventory balances and enables management to more precisely manage inventory.  In addition, substantially all of the Company’s inventory consists of finished goods and is recorded at actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts).
	The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities.  Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts to provide for estimated shortages as of the financial statement date.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value.  Depreciation and amortization expense, which includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual assets.  Buildings and land improvements are depreciated based on lives varying from 10 to 40 years.  All new purchases of store equipment are assigned lives varying from three to nine years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term to which they relate, which varies from four to 25 years, or the useful life of the asset.  Manufacturing plant and distribution center equipment is depreciated over lives varying from three to 15 years.  Information technology assets are generally depreciated over five years.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $1,948 in 2014, $1,703 in 2013 and $1,652 in 2012.
	Interest costs on significant projects constructed for the Company’s own use are capitalized as part of the costs of the newly constructed facilities.  Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in net earnings.  Refer to Note 4 for further information regarding the Company’s property, plant and equipment.
	Deferred Rent
	The Company recognizes rent holidays, including the time period during which the Company has access to the property for construction of buildings or improvements and escalating rent provisions on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  The deferred amount is included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Goodwill
	The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of a triggering event.  The Company performs reviews of each of its operating divisions and variable interest entities (collectively, “reporting units”) that have goodwill balances.  Generally, fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and is compared to the carrying value of a reporting unit for purposes of identifying potential impairment.  Projected future cash flows are based on management’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future.  If potential for impairment is identified, the fair value of a reporting unit is measured against the fair value of its underlying assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, to estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  Goodwill impairment is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value.  Results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized in Note 3.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain triggering events have occurred.  These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset.  When a triggering event occurs, an impairment calculation is performed, comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores.  If the Company identifies impairment for long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company compares the assets’ current carrying value to the assets’ fair value.  Fair value is based on current market values or discounted future cash flows.  The Company records impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value.  With respect to owned property and equipment held for disposal, the value of the property and equipment is adjusted to reflect recoverable values based on previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  Impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal.  The Company recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $37, $39 and $18 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Costs to reduce the carrying value of long-lived assets for each of the years presented have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative” expense.
	Store Closing Costs
	The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the present value of the estimated remaining non-cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income.  The Company estimates the net lease liabilities using a discount rate to calculate the present value of the remaining net rent payments on closed stores.  The closed store lease liabilities usually are paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores, which generally have remaining terms ranging from one to 20 years.  Adjustments to closed store liabilities primarily relate to changes in subtenant income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates.  Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known.  Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs is adjusted to income in the proper period.
	Owned stores held for disposal are reduced to their estimated net realizable value.  Costs to reduce the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are accounted for in accordance with the Company’s policy on impairment of long-lived assets.  Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings, are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Merchandise costs.”  Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.
	The following table summarizes accrual activity for future lease obligations of stores that were closed in the normal course of business and assumed in the merger with Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (“Harris Teeter”):
			Future Lease
			Obligations
	Balance at February 2, 2013		44
	Additions		7
	Payments		(9		)
	Other		(2		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter		18
	Balance at February 1, 2014		58
	Additions		12
	Payments		(11		)
	Other		(6		)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	53
	The current portion of the future lease obligations of stores is included in “Other current liabilities,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Interest Rate Risk Management
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.  The Company’s current program relative to interest rate protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its derivative instruments are described in Note 7.
	Commodity Price Protection
	The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its manufacturing facilities and energy to be used in its stores, manufacturing facilities and administrative offices.  The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of the normal course of business.  The Company’s current program relative to commodity price protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its purchase commitments are described in Note 7.
	Benefit Plans and Multi-Employer Pension Plans
	The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”).  All plans are measured as of the Company’s fiscal year end.
	The determination of the obligation and expense for Company-sponsored pension plans and other post-retirement benefits is dependent on the selection of assumptions used by actuaries and the Company in calculating those amounts.  Those assumptions are described in Note 15 and include, among others, the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality and the rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.  Actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in future periods.  While the Company believes that the assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension and other post-retirement obligations and future expense.
	The Company also participates in various multi-employer plans for substantially all union employees.  Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are funded.  Refer to Note 16 for additional information regarding the Company’s participation in these various multi-employer plans and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (“UFCW”) Consolidated Pension Plan.
	The Company administers and makes contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts.  Contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts are expensed when contributed.  Refer to Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company’s benefit plans.
	Share Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock options under fair value recognition provisions.  Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted.  The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  In addition, the Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.  Refer to Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company’s stock based compensation.
	Deferred Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting basis.  Refer to Note 5 for the types of differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.  Deferred income taxes are classified as a net current or noncurrent asset or liability based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.  A deferred tax asset or liability that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting is classified according to the expected reversal date.
	Uncertain Tax Positions
	The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in its consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 5 for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other related disclosures related to uncertain tax positions.
	Various taxing authorities periodically audit the Company’s income tax returns.  These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions.  In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures.  A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved.  As of January 31, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of the Company’s 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns.  Tax years 2010 through 2013 remain under examination.
	The assessment of the Company’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company’s various filing positions.
	Self-Insurance Costs
	The Company is primarily self-insured for costs related to workers’ compensation and general liability claims.  Liabilities are actuarially determined and are recognized based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The liabilities for workers’ compensation claims are accounted for on a present value basis.  The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis.  The Company is insured for covered costs in excess of these per claim limits.
	The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s self-insurance liability through January 31, 2015.
			2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance		$	569		$	537		$	529
	Expense		246			220			215
	Claim payments		(216		)	(215		)	(207		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter					27			
	Ending balance		599			569			537
Less: Current portion		(213		)	(224		)	(205		)
Long-term portion		$	386		$	345		$	332
The current portion of the self-insured liability is included in “Other current liabilities,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company maintains surety bonds related to self-insured workers’ compensation claims.  These bonds are required by most states in which the Company is self-insured for workers’ compensation and are placed with third-party insurance providers to insure payment of the Company’s obligations in the event the Company is unable to meet its claim payment obligations up to its self-insured retention levels.  These bonds do not represent liabilities of the Company, as the Company has recorded reserves for the claim costs.
The Company is similarly self-insured for property-related losses.  The Company maintains stop loss coverage to limit its property loss exposures including coverage for earthquake, wind, flood and other catastrophic events.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale.  Discounts provided to customers by the Company at the time of sale, including those provided in connection with loyalty cards, are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold.  Discounts provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the coupons are redeemable at any retailer that accepts coupons.  The Company records a receivable from the vendor for the difference in sales price and cash received.  Pharmacy sales are recorded when product is provided to the customer.  Sales taxes are recorded as other accrued liabilities and not as a component of sales.  The Company does not recognize a sale when it sells its own gift cards and gift certificates.  Rather, it records a deferred liability equal to the amount received.  A sale is then recognized when the gift card or gift certificate is redeemed to purchase the Company’s products.  Gift card and certificate breakage is recognized when redemption is deemed remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card.  The amount of breakage has not been material for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Merchandise Costs
The “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes product costs, net of discounts and allowances; advertising costs (see separate discussion below); inbound freight charges; warehousing costs, including receiving and inspection costs; transportation costs; and manufacturing production and operational costs.  Warehousing, transportation and manufacturing management salaries are also included in the “Merchandise costs” line item; however, purchasing management salaries and administration costs are included in the “Operating, general and administrative” line item along with most of the Company’s other managerial and administrative costs.  Rent expense and depreciation and amortization expense are shown separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Warehousing and transportation costs include distribution center direct wages, transportation direct wages, repairs and maintenance, utilities, inbound freight and, where applicable, third party warehouse management fees.  These costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred.
The Company believes the classification of costs included in merchandise costs could vary widely throughout the industry.  The Company’s approach is to include in the “Merchandise costs” line item the direct, net costs of acquiring products and making them available to customers in its stores.  The Company believes this approach most accurately presents the actual costs of products sold.
The Company recognizes all vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs when the related product is sold.  When possible, vendor allowances are applied to the related product cost by item and, therefore, reduce the carrying value of inventory by item.  When the items are sold, the vendor allowance is recognized.  When it is not possible, due to systems constraints, to allocate vendor allowances to the product by item, vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction in merchandise costs based on inventory turns and, therefore, recognized as the product is sold.
Advertising Costs
The Company’s advertising costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred and are included in the “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company’s pre-tax advertising costs totaled $648 in 2014, $587 in 2013 and $553 in 2012.  The Company does not record vendor allowances for co-operative advertising as a reduction of advertising expense.
Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Book Overdrafts
Cash and temporary cash investments represent store cash and short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months.  Book overdrafts are included in “Trade accounts payable” and “Accrued salaries and wages” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deposits In-Transit
Deposits in-transit generally represent funds deposited to the Company’s bank accounts at the end of the year related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with debit cards, credit cards and checks, to which the Company does not have immediate access but settle within a few days of the sales transaction.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments.
The net increase (decrease) in book overdrafts previously reported in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are now reported within operating activities.  Prior year amounts have been revised to the current year presentation.  These revisions were not material to the prior periods.
Segments
The Company operates retail food and drug stores, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.  The Company’s retail operations, which represent over 99% of the Company’s consolidated sales and EBITDA, are its only reportable segment.  The Company’s retail operating divisions have been aggregated into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long-term financial performance.  In addition, the Company’s operating divisions offer to its customers similar products, have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the Company’s merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location.  The Company’s operating divisions reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, who act as the Company’s chief operating decision makers, assess performance internally.  All of the Company’s operations are domestic.
The following table presents sales revenue by type of product for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
		2014					2013					2012
		Amount			% of total		Amount			% of total		Amount		% of total
Non Perishable(1)		$	54,392		50.1	%	$	49,229		50.0	%	$	48,663	50.4	%
Perishable(2)		24,178			22.3	%	20,625			21.0	%	19,761		20.5	%
Fuel		18,850			17.4	%	18,962			19.3	%	18,896		19.5	%
Pharmacy		9,032			8.3	%	8,073			8.2	%	8,018		8.3	%
Other(3)		2,014			1.9	%	1,486			1.5	%	1,281		1.3	%
Total Sales and other revenue		$	108,465		100.0	%	$	98,375		100.0	%	$	96,619	100.0	%
	-1		Consists primarily of grocery, general merchandise, health and beauty care and natural foods.
	-2		Consists primarily of produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli and bakery.
	-3		Consists primarily of sales related to jewelry stores, manufacturing plants to outside customers, variable interest entities, a specialty pharmacy, in-store health clinics and online sales by Vitacost.com.

MERGERS

MERGERS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
MERGERS
MERGERS	2.MERGERS
	On August 18, 2014, the Company closed its merger with Vitacost.com, Inc. (“Vitacost.com”) by purchasing 100% of the Vitacost.com outstanding common stock for $8.00 per share or $287.  Vitacost.com is a leading online retailer of health and wellness products, which are sold directly to consumers through the website vitacost.com.  This merger affords the Company access to Vitacost.com’s extensive e-commerce platform, which can be combined with the Company’s customer insights and loyal customer base, to create new levels of personalization and convenience for customers.  The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and was financed through the issuance of commercial paper (see Note 6).  In a business combination, the purchase price is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values, with any excess of purchase price over fair value recognized as goodwill. In addition to recognizing the assets and liabilities on the acquired company’s balance sheet, the Company reviews supply contracts, leases, financial instruments, employment agreements and other significant agreements to identify potential assets or liabilities that require recognition in connection with the application of acquisition accounting under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805. Intangible assets are recognized apart from goodwill when the asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or are separable from the acquired entity such that they may be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged either on a standalone basis or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.
	Pending finalization of the Company’s valuation and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger with Vitacost.com:
		August 18,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	79
	Property, plant and equipment	28
	Intangibles	81
	Total Assets, excluding Goodwill	188
	LIABILITIES
	Total current liabilities	(54		)
	Deferred income taxes	(7		)
	Total Liabilities	(61		)
	Total Identifiable Net Assets	127
	Goodwill	160
	Total Purchase Price	$	287
	Of the $81 allocated to intangible assets, the Company recorded $49, $26 and $6 related to customer relationships, technology and the trade name, respectively.  The Company will amortize the technology and the trade name, using the straight line method, over 10 and three years, respectively, while the customer relationships will be amortized over five years using the declining balance method.  The goodwill recorded as part of the merger was attributable to the assembled workforce of Vitacost.com and operational synergies expected from the merger, as well as any intangible assets that did not qualify for separate recognition.  The transaction was treated as a stock purchase for income tax purposes.  The assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger did not result in a step up of the tax basis and goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  The above amounts represent the preliminary allocation of the purchase price, and are subject to revision when the resulting valuations of property and intangible assets are finalized, which will occur prior to August 18, 2015.  The results of operations of Vitacost.com were not material in 2014.
	On January 28, 2014, the Company closed its merger with Harris Teeter by purchasing 100% of the Harris Teeter outstanding common stock for $2,436.  The merger allows us to expand into the fast-growing southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets and into Washington, D.C.  The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and was financed through a combination of commercial paper and long-term debt (see Note 6).
	The fair value step up adjustment to Harris Teeter inventory as of the merger date is recorded in the LIFO reserve.  This resulted in a $52 decrease in LIFO reserve.
	The Company’s purchase price allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014. The changes in the fair values assumed from the preliminary amounts determined as of February 1, 2014 were an increase in goodwill of $9, an increase in accrued salaries and wages of $13, a decrease in current deferred income tax liabilities of $4, an increase in other current liabilities of $5 and a decrease in long-term deferred income tax liabilities of $5.  The table below summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
		January 28,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Cash and temporary cash investments	$	92
	Store deposits in-transit	28
	Receivables	41
	FIFO inventory	426
	Prepaid and other current assets	31
	Total current assets	618
	Property, plant and equipment	1,328
	Intangibles	558
	Other assets	238
	Total Assets, excluding Goodwill	2,742
	LIABILITIES
	Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	(7		)
	Trade accounts payable	(202		)
	Accrued salaries and wages	(60		)
	Deferred income taxes	(16		)
	Other current liabilities	(164		)
	Total current liabilities	(449		)
	Fair-value of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	(252		)
	Deferred income taxes	(280		)
	Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	(98		)
	Other long-term liabilities	(137		)
	Total Liabilities	(1,216		)
	Total Identifiable Net Assets	1,526
	Goodwill	910
	Total Purchase Price	$	2,436
	Of the $558 allocated to intangible assets, $430 relates to the Harris Teeter trade name, to which we assigned an indefinite life and, therefore, will not be amortized.  The Company also recorded $53 and $75 related to pharmacy prescription files and favorable leasehold interests, respectively.  The Company will amortize the pharmacy prescription files and favorable leasehold interests over seven and 24 years, respectively.  The goodwill recorded as part of the merger was attributable to the assembled workforce of Harris Teeter and operational synergies expected from the merger, as well as any intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition.  The transaction was treated as a stock purchase for income tax purposes.  The assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger did not result in a step up of the tax basis and goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Harris Teeter transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2012 and the Vitacost.com transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2013, are included in the following table.  The pro forma information includes historical results of operations of Harris Teeter and Vitacost.com and adjustments for interest expense that would have been incurred due to financing the mergers, depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired and excludes the pre-merger transaction related expenses incurred by Harris Teeter, Vitacost.com and the Company.  The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions, synergies or investments in lower prices for our customers expected to result from the mergers.  The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the Harris Teeter merger been completed at the beginning of 2012 or the Vitacost.com merger completed at the beginning of 2013.
		Fiscal year ended			Fiscal year ended
		January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014
	Sales	$	108,687		$	103,584
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	1,736			1,624
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19			12
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	1,717		$	1,612

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	3.GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s net goodwill balance through January 31, 2015.
			2014			2013
	Balance beginning of year
	Goodwill		$	4,667		$	3,766
	Accumulated impairment losses		(2,532		)	(2,532		)
			2,135			1,234
	Activity during the year
	Acquisitions		169			901
	Balance end of year
	Goodwill		4,836			4,667
	Accumulated impairment losses		(2,532		)	(2,532		)
			$	2,304		$	2,135
	In 2014, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Vitacost.com, an online retailer, resulting in additional goodwill of $160.
	In 2013, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Harris Teeter, a supermarket retailer in southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets and Washington, D.C., resulting in additional goodwill totaling $910.  Goodwill of $9 and $901 was recorded in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	See Note 2 for additional information regarding the Harris Teeter and Vitacost.com mergers.
	Testing for impairment must be performed annually, or on an interim basis upon the occurrence of a triggering event or a change in circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  The annual evaluations of goodwill performed during the fourth quarter of 2014, 2013 and 2012 did not result in impairment.
	Based on current and future expected cash flows, the Company believes goodwill impairments are not reasonably likely.  A 10% reduction in fair value of the Company’s reporting units would not indicate a potential for impairment of the Company’s remaining goodwill balance.
	In 2014, the Company acquired definite and indefinite lived intangible assets totaling approximately $81 as a result of the merger with Vitacost.com.
	In 2013, the Company acquired definite and indefinite lived intangible assets totaling approximately $558 as a result of the merger with Harris Teeter.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets balance through January 31, 2015.
			2014						2013
			Gross carrying			Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
			amount			amortization(1)			amount		amortization(1)
	Definite-lived favorable leasehold interests		$	101		$	(26	)	$	144	$	(61	)
	Definite-lived pharmacy prescription files		98			(41		)	95		(28		)
	Definite-lived customer relationships		87			(17		)	38		(4		)
	Definite-lived other		74			(13		)	40		(6		)
	Indefinite-lived trade name		430			—			430		—
	Indefinite-lived liquor licenses		64			—			54		—
	Total		$	854		$	(97	)	$	801	$	(99	)
		-1		Favorable leasehold interests are amortized to rent expense, pharmacy prescription files are amortized to merchandise costs, customer relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense and other intangibles are amortized to operating, general and administrative (“OG&A”) expense and depreciation and amortization expense.
	Amortization expense associated with intangible assets totaled approximately $41, $18 and $13, during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets for the years subsequent to 2014 is estimated to be approximately:
	2015		$	47
	2016		38
	2017		31
	2018		28
	2019		26
	Thereafter		93
	Total future estimated amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets		$	263

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_N

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	4.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	Property, plant and equipment, net consists of:
		2014			2013
	Land	$	2,819		$	2,639
	Buildings and land improvements	9,639			8,848
	Equipment	11,587			11,037
	Leasehold improvements	8,068			7,644
	Construction-in-progress	1,690			1,520
	Leased property under capital leases and financing obligations	737			691
	Total property, plant and equipment	34,540			32,379
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(16,628		)	(15,486		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	17,912		$	16,893
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization for leased property under capital leases was $332 at January 31, 2015 and $339 at February 1, 2014.
	Approximately $260 and $175, net book value, of property, plant and equipment collateralized certain mortgages at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.

TAXES_BASED_ON_INCOME

TAXES BASED ON INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
TAXES BASED ON INCOME
TAXES BASED ON INCOME	5.TAXES BASED ON INCOME
	The provision for taxes based on income consists of:
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal
	Current	$	847		$	638		$	563
	Deferred	(15		)	81			154
	Subtotal federal	832			719			717
	State and local
	Current	59			42			46
	Deferred	11			(10		)	31
	Subtotal state and local	70			32			77
	Total	$	902		$	751		$	794
	A reconciliation of the statutory federal rate and the effective rate follows:
		2014		2013		2012
	Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.7	%	0.9	%	2.2	%
	Credits	(1.2	)%	(1.3	)%	(1.4	)%
	Favorable resolution of issues	(0.4	)%			(0.5	)%
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(0.7	)%	(1.1	)%	(0.5	)%
	Other changes, net	(0.3	)%	(0.6	)%	(0.3	)%
		34.1	%	32.9	%	34.5	%
	The 2014 effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of tax credits, the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction and other changes, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes. The 2013 rate for state income taxes is lower than 2014 and 2012 due to an increase in state tax credits, including the benefit from filing amended returns to claim additional credits.  The 2013 benefit from the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction differed from 2014 and 2012 due to additional deductions taken in 2013, as well as the amendment of prior years’ tax returns to claim the additional benefit available in years still under review by the Internal Revenue Service.
	The tax effects of significant temporary differences that comprise tax balances were as follows:
		2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$	5		$	4
	Compensation related costs	88			103
	Other	14			15
	Subtotal	107			122
	Valuation allowance	(7		)	(9		)
	Total current deferred tax assets	100			113
	Current deferred tax liabilities:
	Insurance related costs	(99		)	(96		)
	Inventory related costs	(288		)	(265		)
	Total current deferred tax liabilities	(387		)	(361		)
	Current deferred taxes	$	(287	)	$	(248	)
	Long-term deferred tax assets:
	Compensation related costs	$	721		$	464
	Lease accounting	129			115
	Closed store reserves	50			54
	Insurance related costs	77			66
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	115			103
	Other	2			
	Subtotal	1,094			802
	Valuation allowance	(42		)	(38		)
	Total long-term deferred tax assets	1,052			764
	Long-term deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization	(2,261		)	(2,128		)
	Other				(17		)
	Total long-term deferred tax liabilities	(2,261		)	(2,145		)
	Long-term deferred taxes	$	(1,209	)	$	(1,381	)
	At January 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $1,286.  These net operating loss carryforwards expire from 2015 through 2033.  The utilization of certain of the Company’s state net operating loss carryforwards may be limited in a given year.  Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against some of the deferred tax assets resulting from its state net operating losses.
	At January 31, 2015, the Company had state credit carryforwards of $48, most of which expire from 2015 through 2027.  The utilization of certain of the Company’s credits may be limited in a given year.  Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against some of the deferred tax assets resulting from its state credits.
	At January 31, 2015, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $54.  The net operating loss carryforwards expire from 2030 through 2033.  The utilization of certain of the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards may be limited in a given year. Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting from its federal net operating losses.
	At January 31, 2015, the Company had federal capital loss carryforwards of $25. These capital loss carryforwards expire at the end of 2015.  The utilization of certain of the Company’s capital loss carryforwards may be limited in a given year. Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of the deferred tax assets resulting from its capital losses.
	The Company regularly reviews all deferred tax assets on a tax filer and jurisdictional basis to estimate whether these assets are more likely than not to be realized based on all available evidence.  This evidence includes historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversal of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies.  Projected future taxable income is based on expected results and assumptions as to the jurisdiction in which the income will be earned.  The expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences is based on current tax law and the Company’s tax methods of accounting.  Unless deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized, a valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of the deferred tax asset until such time that realization becomes more likely than not.  Increases and decreases in these valuation allowances are included in “Income tax expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including positions impacting only the timing of tax benefits, is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	325		$	299		$	310
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	17			23			45
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	(6		)	(10		)	(9		)
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	9			17			1
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(36		)	(4		)	(27		)
	Settlements	(63		)				(21		)
Ending balance	$	246		$	325		$	299
The Company does not anticipate that changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months will have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position.
As of January 31, 2015, February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $90, $98 and $70 respectively.
To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and classified as a component of income tax expense.  During the years ended January 31, 2015, February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the Company recognized approximately $3, $10 and $(8), respectively, in interest and penalties (recoveries).  The Company recorded charges for interest and penalties of approximately $30, $41 and $33 as of January 31, 2015, February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.
As of January 31, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of our 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns and is currently auditing tax years 2010 through 2013. The 2010 and 2011 audits are expected to be completed in 2015.
On September 13, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released final tangible property regulations that provide guidance on the tax treatment regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property.  These regulations are effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and will be implemented by the Company on its 2014 tax return to be filed no later than October 15, 2015.  The Company believes adoption of these regulations will not have an effect on net income and will not have a material effect on the reclassification between long-term deferred tax liabilities and current income tax liabilities.

DEBT_OBLIGATIONS

DEBT OBLIGATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEBT OBLIGATIONS	6.DEBT OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term debt consists of:
		2014			2013
	0.76% to 8.00% Senior notes due through 2043	$	9,283		$	9,083
	5.00% to 12.75% Mortgages due in varying amounts through 2027	73			64
	0.27% to 0.37% Commercial paper due through February 2015	1,275			1,250
	Other	454			383
	Total debt	11,085			10,780
	Less current portion	(1,844		)	(1,616		)
	Total long-term debt	$	9,241		$	9,164
	In 2014, the Company issued $500 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2021 bearing an interest rate of 2.95% and repaid $300 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 4.95% upon maturity.
	In 2013, the Company issued $600 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2023 bearing an interest rate of 3.85%, $400 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2043 bearing an interest rate of 5.15%, $500 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2016 bearing an interest rate of 3-month London Inter-Bank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 53 basis points, $300 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2016 bearing an interest rate of 1.20%, $500 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2019 bearing an interest rate of 2.30%, $700 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2021 bearing an interest rate of 3.30% and $500 in senior notes due in fiscal year 2024 bearing an interest rate of 4.00%.  In 2013, the Company repaid $400 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 5.00% and $600 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 7.50% upon their maturity.
	On June 30, 2014, the Company amended, extended and restated its $2,000 unsecured revolving credit facility.  The Company entered into the amended credit facility to amend, extend and restate the Company’s existing credit facility that would have terminated on January 25, 2017.  The amended credit facility provides for a $2,750 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”), with a termination date of June 30, 2019, unless extended as permitted under the Credit Agreement.  The Company has the ability to increase the size of the Credit Agreement by up to an additional $750, subject to certain conditions.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s option, at either (i) LIBOR plus a market rate spread, based on the Company’s Leverage Ratio or (ii) the base rate, defined as the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate, and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus a market rate spread based on the Company’s Leverage Ratio.  The Company will also pay a Commitment Fee based on the Leverage Ratio and Letter of Credit fees equal to a market rate spread based on the Company’s Leverage Ratio.  The Credit Agreement contains covenants, which, among other things, require the maintenance of a Leverage Ratio of not greater than 3.50:1.00 and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.70:1.00.  The Company may repay the Credit Agreement in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.  The Credit Agreement is not guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries.
	As of January 31, 2015, the Company had $1,275 of borrowings of commercial paper, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.37%, and no borrowings under its Credit Agreement.  In addition to the Credit Agreement, the Company maintained two uncommitted money market lines totaling $75 in the aggregate as of February 1, 2014.  The money market lines allowed the Company to borrow from banks at mutually agreed upon rates, usually at rates below the rates offered under the credit agreement.  As of February 1, 2014, the Company had $1,250 of borrowings of commercial paper, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.27%, and no borrowings under its Credit Agreement and money market lines.
	As of January 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $233, of which $10 reduces funds available under the Company’s Credit Agreement.  The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of the Company.
	Most of the Company’s outstanding public debt is subject to early redemption at varying times and premiums, at the option of the Company.  In addition, subject to certain conditions, some of the Company’s publicly issued debt will be subject to redemption, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder upon the occurrence of a redemption event, upon not less than five days’ notice prior to the date of redemption, at a redemption price equal to the default amount, plus a specified premium.  “Redemption Event” is defined in the indentures as the occurrence of (i) any person or group, together with any affiliate thereof, beneficially owning 50% or more of the voting power of the Company, (ii) any one person or group, or affiliate thereof, succeeding in having a majority of its nominees elected to the Company’s Board of Directors, in each case, without the consent of a majority of the continuing directors of the Company or (iii) both a change of control and a below investment grade rating.
	The aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt, as of year-end 2014, and for the years subsequent to 2014 are:
	2015	$	1,844
	2016	1,299
	2017	736
	2018	1,008
	2019	773
	Thereafter	5,425
	Total debt	$	11,085

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	7.DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	GAAP defines derivatives, requires that derivatives be carried at fair value on the balance sheet, and provides for hedge accounting when certain conditions are met.  The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as “cash flow” hedges, to the extent the hedges are highly effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax effects.  Ineffective portions of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized in current period earnings.  Other comprehensive income or loss is reclassified into current period earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as “fair value” hedges, along with corresponding changes in the fair values of the hedged assets or liabilities, are recorded in current period earnings.  Ineffective portions of fair value hedges, if any, are recognized in current period earnings.
	The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether derivatives used as hedging instruments are highly effective in offsetting the changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged items.  If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or ceases to be highly effective, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.
	Interest Rate Risk Management
	The Company is exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of a commercial paper program, interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) and forward-starting interest rate swaps (cash flow hedges).  The Company’s current program relative to interest rate protection contemplates hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt attributable to changes in interest rates.  To do this, the Company uses the following guidelines: (i) use average daily outstanding borrowings to determine annual debt amounts subject to interest rate exposure, (ii) limit the average annual amount subject to interest rate reset and the amount of floating rate debt to a combined total of $2,500 or less, (iii) include no leveraged products, and (iv) hedge without regard to profit motive or sensitivity to current mark-to-market status.
	The Company reviews compliance with these guidelines annually with the Financial Policy Committee of the Board of Directors.  These guidelines may change as the Company’s needs dictate.
	Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps
	The table below summarizes the outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014.
		2014						2013
		Pay			Pay			Pay			Pay
		Floating			Fixed			Floating			Fixed
	Notional amount	$	100		$	—		$	100		$	—
	Number of contracts	2			—			2			—
	Duration in years	3.94			—			4.94			—
	Average variable rate	5.83		%	—			5.83		%	—
	Average fixed rate	6.80		%	—			6.80		%	—
	Maturity	December 2018						December 2018
	The gain or loss on these derivative instruments as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings as “Interest expense.”  These gains and losses for 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Year-To-Date
		January 31, 2015						February 1, 2014
	Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification	Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on
		Swaps			Borrowings			Swaps			Borrowings
	Interest Expense	$	2		$	(2	)	$	(3	)	$	4
	The following table summarizes the location and fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
		Asset Derivatives
		Fair Value
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments	January 31,			February 1,			Balance Sheet Location
		2015			2014
	Interest Rate Hedges	$	—		$	(2	)	(Other long-term liabilities)/Other assets
	Cash Flow Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps
	As of January 31, 2015, the Company had four forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of October 2015 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $300 and seven forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of August 2017 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $400.  A forward-starting interest rate swap is an agreement that effectively hedges the variability in future benchmark interest payments attributable to changes in interest rates on the forecasted issuance of fixed-rate debt.  The Company entered into these forward-starting interest rate swaps in order to lock in fixed interest rates on its forecasted issuances of debt in October 2015 and August 2017.  Accordingly, the forward-starting interest rate swaps were designated as cash-flow hedges as defined by GAAP.  As of January 31, 2015, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was recorded in other long-term liabilities for $39 and accumulated other comprehensive loss for $25 net of tax.
	As of February 1, 2014, the Company did not maintain any forward-starting interest rate swap agreements.
	The following table summarizes the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for 2014 and 2013:
		Year-To-Date
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging	Amount of Gain/(Loss) in						Amount of Gain/(Loss)						Location of Gain/(Loss)
		AOCI on Derivative						Reclassified from AOCI into						Reclassified into Income
		(Effective Portion)						Income (Effective Portion)
	Relationships	2014			2013			2014			2013			(Effective Portion)
	Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps, net of tax*	$	(49	)	$	(25	)	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	Interest expense
	*The amounts of Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on derivatives include unamortized proceeds and payments from forward-starting interest rate swaps once classified as cash flow hedges that were terminated prior to end of 2014.
	For the above fair value and cash flow interest rate swaps, the Company has entered into International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts.  Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the Company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions.  These master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event.
	Collateral is generally not required of the counterparties or of the Company under these master netting agreements. As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, no cash collateral was received or pledged under the master netting agreements.
	The effect of the net settlement provisions of these master netting agreements on the Company’s derivative balances upon an event of default or termination event is as follows as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014:
								Net Amount			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
											Balance Sheet
	January 31, 2015	Gross Amount			Gross Amounts Offset			Presented in the			Financial			Cash Collateral			Net Amount
		Recognized			in the Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Instruments
	Liabilities
	Cash Flow Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps	$	39		$	—		$	39		$	—			$	—	$	39
								Net Amount			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
											Balance Sheet
	February 1, 2014	Gross Amount			Gross Amounts Offset			Presented in the			Financial			Cash Collateral			Net Amount
		Recognized			in the Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Instruments
	Liabilities
	Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps	$	2		$	—		$	2		$	—			$	—	$	2
	Commodity Price Protection
	The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its manufacturing facilities and energy to be used in its stores, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and administrative offices.  The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of normal business.  Those commitments for which the Company expects to utilize or take delivery in a reasonable amount of time in the normal course of business qualify as normal purchases and normal sales.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	8.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined in the standards are as follows:
	Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	Level 2 — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable;
	Level 3 — Unobservable pricing inputs in which little or no market activity exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
	For items carried at (or adjusted to) fair value in the consolidated financial statements, the following tables summarize the fair value of these instruments at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014:
	January 31, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other			Significant		Total
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		for Identical		(Level 2)			Inputs
		Assets					(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Trading Securities	$	47	$	—		$	—	$	47
	Available-for-Sale Securities	36		—			—		36
	Warrants	—		26			—		26
	Long-Lived Assets	—		—			22		22
	Interest Rate Hedges	—		(39		)	—		(39		)
	Total	$	83	$	(13	)	$	22	$	92
	The table above includes Harris Teeter assets at fair value as of January 31, 2015.
	February 1, 2014 Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other			Significant		Total
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		for Identical		(Level 2)			Inputs
		Assets					(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-Sale Securities	$	36	$	—		$	—	$	36
	Warrants	—		16			—		16
	Long-Lived Assets	—		—			29		29
	Interest Rate Hedges	—		(2		)	—		(2		)
	Total	$	36	$	14		$	29	$	79
	In 2014 and 2013, unrealized gains on the Level 1 available-for-sale securities totaled $8.
	The Company values warrants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is classified as a Level 2 input.
	The Company values interest rate hedges using observable forward yield curves.  These forward yield curves are classified as Level 2 inputs.
	Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of goodwill, other intangible assets, long-lived assets and in the valuation of store lease exit costs.  The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and as circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment.  See Note 3 for further discussion related to the Company’s carrying value of goodwill.  Long-lived assets and store lease exit costs were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 1 for further discussion of the Company’s policies and recorded amounts for impairments of long-lived assets and valuation of store lease exit costs.  In 2014, long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $59 were written down to their fair value of $22, resulting in an impairment charge of $37.  In 2013, long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $68 were written down to their fair value of $29, resulting in an impairment charge of $39.
	Mergers are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that the purchase price paid for an acquisition be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the effective date of the acquisition, with the excess of the purchase price over the net assets being recorded as goodwill.  Harris Teeter assets and liabilities were valued as of January 28, 2014 and Vitacost.com assets and liabilities were valued as of August 18, 2014.  Harris Teeter was excluded in the above table for February 1, 2014 due to all acquired assets and assumed liabilities in the Harris Teeter merger being recorded at fair value as of January 28, 2014.  See Note 2 for further discussion related to the mergers with Harris Teeter and Vitacost.com.
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
	Current and Long-term Debt
	The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, was estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues adjusted for illiquidity based on available market evidence.  If quoted market prices were not available, the fair value was based upon the net present value of the future cash flow using the forward interest rate yield curve in effect at respective year-ends.  At January 31, 2015, the fair value of total debt was $12,378 compared to a carrying value of $11,085.  At February 1, 2014, the fair value of total debt was $11,547 compared to a carrying value of $10,780.
	Cash and Temporary Cash Investments, Store Deposits In-Transit, Receivables, Prepaid and Other Current Assets, Trade Accounts Payable, Accrued Salaries and Wages and Other Current Liabilities
	The carrying amounts of these items approximated fair value.
	Other Assets
	The fair values of these investments were estimated based on quoted market prices for those or similar investments, or estimated cash flows, if appropriate.  At January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the carrying and fair value of long-term investments for which fair value is determinable was $133 and $51, respectively.  The increase in fair value of long-term investments for which fair value is determinable is mainly due to the Company’s merger with Harris Teeter.  At January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the carrying value of notes receivable for which fair value is determinable was $98 and $87, respectively.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	9.  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The following table represents the changes in AOCI by component for the years ended February 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015:
			Cash Flow			Available for sale			Pension and			Total(1)
			Hedging			Securities(1)			Postretirement
			Activities(1)						Defined Benefit
									Plans(1)
	Balance at February 2, 2013		$	(14	)	$	7		$	(746	)	$	(753	)
	OCI before reclassifications(2)		(12		)	5			233			226
	Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3)		1			—			62			63
	Net current-period OCI		(11		)	5			295			289
	Balance at February 1, 2014		(25		)	12			(451		)	(464		)
	OCI before reclassifications(2)		(25		)	5			(351		)	(371		)
	Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3)		1			—			22			23
	Net current-period OCI		(24		)	5			(329		)	(348		)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	(49	)	$	17		$	(780	)	$	(812	)
		-1		All amounts are net of tax.
		-2		Net of tax of $(8), $3 and $137 for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of February 1, 2014.  Net of tax of $(14), $3 and $(206) for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of January 31, 2015.
		-3		Net of tax of $1 and $36 for cash flow hedging activities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of February 1, 2014.  Net of tax of $13 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, as of January 31, 2015.
	The following table represents the items reclassified out of AOCI and the related tax effects for the year ended January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014:
			For the year ended			For the year ended
			January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014
	Gains on cash flow hedging activities
	Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities(1)		$	1		$	2
	Tax expense		—			(1		)
	Net of tax		1			1
	Pension and postretirement defined benefit plan items
	Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense(2)		35			98
	Tax expense		(13		)	(36		)
	Net of tax		22			62
	Total reclassifications, net of tax		$	23		$	63
		-1		Reclassified from AOCI into interest expense.
		-2		Reclassified from AOCI into merchandise costs and OG&A expense.  These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (see Note 15 for additional details).

LEASES_AND_LEASEFINANCED_TRANS

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS	10.LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
	While the Company’s current strategy emphasizes ownership of store real estate, the Company operates primarily in leased facilities. Lease terms generally range from 10 to 20 years with options to renew for varying terms. Terms of certain leases include escalation clauses, percentage rent based on sales or payment of executory costs such as property taxes, utilities or insurance and maintenance.  Rent expense for leases with escalation clauses or other lease concessions are accounted for on a straight-line basis beginning with the earlier of the lease commencement date or the date the Company takes possession.  Portions of certain properties are subleased to others for periods generally ranging from one to 20 years.
	Rent expense (under operating leases) consists of:
		2014			2013			2012
	Minimum rentals	$	795		$	706		$	727
	Contingent payments	16			13			13
	Tenant income	(104		)	(106		)	(112		)
	Total rent expense	$	707		$	613		$	628
	Minimum annual rentals and payments under capital leases and lease-financed transactions for the five years subsequent to 2014 and in the aggregate are:
		Capital			Operating			Lease-
		Leases			Leases			Financed
								Transactions
	2015	$	63		$	837		$	7
	2016	60			773			7
	2017	58			699			8
	2018	49			629			8
	2019	45			554			9
	Thereafter	409			2,877			79
	Total	684			$	6,369		$	118
	Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases	—
	Net minimum lease payments under capital leases	684
	Less amount representing interest	231
	Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases	$	453
	Total future minimum rentals under noncancellable subleases at January 31, 2015 were $219.

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	11.EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share equals net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. less income allocated to participating securities divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share equals net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. less income allocated to participating securities divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, after giving effect to dilutive stock options.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. and shares used in calculating net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share to those used in calculating net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share:
		For the year ended					For the year ended					For the year ended
		January 31, 2015					February 1, 2014					February 2, 2013
	(in millions, except per share amounts)	Earnings		Shares	Per		Earnings		Shares	Per		Earnings		Shares	Per
		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share
					Amount					Amount					Amount
	Net earnings attributable to The	$	1,711	490	$	3.49	$	1,507	514	$	2.93	$	1,485	533	$	2.78
	Kroger Co. per basic common share
	Dilutive effect of stock options			7					6					4
	Net earnings attributable to The	$	1,711	497	$	3.44	$	1,507	520	$	2.90	$	1,485	537	$	2.77
	Kroger Co. per diluted common share
	The Company had combined undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities totaling $17, $12 and $12 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company had options outstanding for approximately 2.3 million, 2.3 million and 12.2 million shares, respectively, for the years ended January 31, 2015, February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, which were excluded from the computations of net earnings per diluted common share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect on net earnings per diluted share.

STOCK_OPTION_PLANS

STOCK OPTION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
STOCK OPTION PLANS
STOCK OPTION PLANS	12.STOCK OPTION PLANS
	The Company grants options for common shares (“stock options”) to employees under various plans at an option price equal to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant.  The Company accounts for stock options under the fair value recognition provisions.  Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted.  The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  Equity awards may be made at one of four meetings of its Board of Directors occurring shortly after the Company’s release of quarterly earnings.  The 2014 primary grant was made in conjunction with the June meeting of the Company’s Board of Directors.
	Stock options typically expire 10 years from the date of grant.  Stock options vest between one and five years from the date of grant.  At January 31, 2015, approximately 22 million common shares were available for future option grants under these plans.
	In addition to the stock options described above, the Company awards restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors under various plans.  The restrictions on these awards generally lapse between one and five years from the date of the awards.  The Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.  As of January 31, 2015, approximately 12 million common shares were available under the 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plans (the “Plans”) for future restricted stock awards or shares issued to the extent performance criteria are achieved.  The Company has the ability to convert shares available for stock options under the Plans to shares available for restricted stock awards.  Under the Plans, four shares available for option awards can be converted into one share available for restricted stock awards.
	All awards become immediately exercisable upon certain changes of control of the Company.
	Stock Options
	Changes in options outstanding under the stock option plans are summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted-
		subject		average
		to option		exercise
		(in millions)		price
	Outstanding, year-end 2011	31		$	21.8
	Granted	4.1		$	22.04
	Exercised	(6.7	)	$	18.35
	Canceled or Expired	(1.9	)	$	23.28
	Outstanding, year-end 2012	26.5		$	22.61
	Granted	4.2		$	37.68
	Exercised	(8.8	)	$	22.22
	Canceled or Expired	(0.2	)	$	25.47
	Outstanding, year-end 2013	21.7		$	25.66
	Granted	4.2		$	49.42
	Exercised	(5.2	)	$	23.13
	Canceled or Expired	(0.3	)	$	31.05
	Outstanding, year-end 2014	20.4		$	31.13
	A summary of options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2015 follows:
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number		Weighted-		Weighted-		Options	Weighted-average
		outstanding		average		average		exercisable	exercise price
				remaining		exercise price
				contractual life
		(in millions)		(in years)				(in millions)
	15.92 – 21.95	3.2		3.47		$	19.53	3.0	$	19.46
	21.96 – 22.60	4.2		6.4		$	22.09	2.7	$	22.16
	22.61 – 28.26	2.6		6.15		$	24.77	1.8	$	24.79
	28.27 – 37.75	2.8		3.04		$	28.52	2.7	$	28.47
	37.76 – 49.32	3.5		8.46		$	37.96	1.1	$	37.82
	49.33 – 61.89	4.1		9.46		$	49.55	—	$	49.33
		20.4		6.41		$	31.13	11.3	$	24.92
	The weighted-average remaining contractual life for options exercisable at January 31, 2015, was approximately 4.7 years.  The intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2015 was $775 and $500, respectively.
	Restricted stock
	Changes in restricted stock outstanding under the restricted stock plans are summarized below:
		Restricted		Weighted-average
		shares		grant-date
		outstanding		fair value
		(in millions)
	Outstanding, year-end 2011	4.2		$	23.92
	Granted	2.6		$	22.23
	Lapsed	(2.4	)	$	24.34
	Canceled or Expired	(0.1	)	$	23.28
	Outstanding, year-end 2012	4.3		$	22.67
	Granted	3.2		$	37.69
	Lapsed	(2.5	)	$	22.97
	Canceled or Expired	(0.1	)	$	27.31
	Outstanding, year-end 2013	4.8		$	32.31
	Granted	3.1		$	49.51
	Lapsed	(2.6	)	$	33.05
	Canceled or Expired	(0.2	)	$	37.33
	Outstanding, year-end 2014	5.1		$	42.08
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $11.96, $8.98 and $4.39, respectively.  The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the assumptions shown in the table below.  The Black-Scholes model utilizes accounting judgment and financial estimates, including the term option holders are expected to retain their stock options before exercising them, the volatility of the Company’s share price over that expected term, the dividend yield over the term and the number of awards expected to be forfeited before they vest.  Using alternative assumptions in the calculation of fair value would produce fair values for stock option grants that could be different than those used to record stock-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The increase in the fair value of the stock options granted during 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from an increase in the Company’s share price, which decreased the expected dividend yield, and an increase in the weighted average risk-free interest rate.  The increase in the fair value of the stock options granted during 2013, compared to 2012, resulted primarily from an increase in the Company’s share price, an increase in the weighted average risk-free interest rate and a decrease in the expected dividend yield.
	The following table reflects the weighted-average assumptions used for grants awarded to option holders:
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted average expected volatility	25.29%		26.34%		26.49%
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	2.06%		1.87%		0.97%
	Expected dividend yield	1.51%		1.82%		2.49%
	Expected term (based on historical results)	6.6 years		6.8 years		6.9 years
The weighted-average risk-free interest rate was based on the yield of a treasury note as of the grant date, continuously compounded, which matures at a date that approximates the expected term of the options.  The dividend yield was based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts.  Expected volatility was determined based upon historical stock volatilities; however, implied volatility was also considered.  Expected term was determined based upon a combination of historical exercise and cancellation experience as well as estimates of expected future exercise and cancellation experience.
Total stock compensation recognized in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $155, $107 and $82, respectively.  Stock option compensation recognized in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $32, $24 and $22, respectively.  Restricted shares compensation recognized in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $123, $83 and $60, respectively.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $142, $115 and $44 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The total amount of cash received in 2014 by the Company from the exercise of options granted under share-based payment arrangements was $110.  As of January 31, 2015, there was $205 of total unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s equity award plans.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.  The total fair value of options that vested was $26, $20 and $23 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises may be newly issued shares or reissued treasury shares.  Proceeds received from the exercise of options, and the related tax benefit, may be utilized to repurchase the Company’s common shares under a stock repurchase program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.  During 2014, the Company repurchased approximately three million common shares in such a manner.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	13.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company continuously evaluates contingencies based upon the best available evidence.
	The Company believes that allowances for loss have been provided to the extent necessary and that its assessment of contingencies is reasonable.  To the extent that resolution of contingencies results in amounts that vary from the Company’s estimates, future earnings will be charged or credited.
	The principal contingencies are described below:
	Insurance — The Company’s workers’ compensation risks are self-insured in most states. In addition, other workers’ compensation risks and certain levels of insured general liability risks are based on retrospective premium plans, deductible plans, and self-insured retention plans.  The liability for workers’ compensation risks is accounted for on a present value basis.  Actual claim settlements and expenses incident thereto may differ from the provisions for loss.  Property risks have been underwritten by a subsidiary and are all reinsured with unrelated insurance companies.  Operating divisions and subsidiaries have paid premiums, and the insurance subsidiary has provided loss allowances, based upon actuarially determined estimates.
	Litigation — Various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business, including suits charging violations of certain antitrust, wage and hour, or civil rights laws, as well as product liability cases, are pending against the Company.  Some of these suits purport or have been determined to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages.  Any damages that may be awarded in antitrust cases will be automatically trebled.  Although it is not possible at this time to evaluate the merits of all of these claims and lawsuits, nor their likelihood of success, the Company is of the belief that any resulting liability will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	The Company continually evaluates its exposure to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation and believes it has made provisions where it is reasonably possible to estimate and when an adverse outcome is probable.  Nonetheless, assessing and predicting the outcomes of these matters involves substantial uncertainties.  Management currently believes that the aggregate range of loss for the Company’s exposure is not material to the Company.  It remains possible that despite management’s current belief, material differences in actual outcomes or changes in management’s evaluation or predictions could arise that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Assignments — The Company is contingently liable for leases that have been assigned to various third parties in connection with facility closings and dispositions.  The Company could be required to satisfy the obligations under the leases if any of the assignees is unable to fulfill its lease obligations.  Due to the wide distribution of the Company’s assignments among third parties, and various other remedies available, the Company believes the likelihood that it will be required to assume a material amount of these obligations is remote.

STOCK

STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
STOCK
STOCK	14.STOCK
	Preferred Shares
	The Company has authorized five million shares of voting cumulative preferred shares; two million shares were available for issuance at January 31, 2015.  The shares have a par value of $100 per share and are issuable in series.
	Common Shares
	The Company has authorized one billion common shares, $1 par value per share.  On May 20, 1999, the shareholders authorized an amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares from one billion to two billion when the Board of Directors determines it to be in the best interest of the Company.
	Common Stock Repurchase Program
	The Company maintains stock repurchase programs that comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow for the orderly repurchase of The Kroger Co. common shares, from time to time.  The Company made open market purchases totaling $1,129, $338 and $1,165 under these repurchase programs in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  In addition to these repurchase programs, in December 1999, the Company began a program to repurchase common shares to reduce dilution resulting from its employee stock option plans.  This program is solely funded by proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefit.  The Company repurchased approximately $154, $271 and $96 under the stock option program during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS
COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS	15.COMPANY- SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company administers non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans for some non-union employees and union-represented employees as determined by the terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements.  These include several qualified pension plans (the “Qualified Plans”) and non-qualified pension plans (the “Non-Qualified Plans”).  The Non-Qualified Plans pay benefits to any employee that earns in excess of the maximum allowed for the Qualified Plans by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company only funds obligations under the Qualified Plans.  Funding for the Company-sponsored pension plans is based on a review of the specific requirements and on evaluation of the assets and liabilities of each plan.
	In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees.  The majority of the Company’s employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while employed by the Company.  Funding of retiree health care benefits occurs as claims or premiums are paid.
	The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of AOCI.  All plans are measured as of the Company’s fiscal year end.
	Amounts recognized in AOCI as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 consists of the following (pre-tax):
			Pension Benefits						Other Benefits						Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	1,398		$	857		$	(89	)	$	(111	)	$	1,309		$	746
	Prior service cost (credit)		1			2			(75		)	(35		)	(74		)	(33		)
	Total		$	1,399		$	859		$	(164	)	$	(146	)	$	1,235		$	713
	Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year are as follows (pre-tax):
			Pension Benefits			Other Benefits			Total
			2015			2015			2015
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	99		$	(6	)	$	93
	Prior service credit		—			(11		)	(11		)
	Total		$	99		$	(17	)	$	82
	Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (pre-tax):
			Pension Benefits									Other Benefits									Total
			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Incurred net actuarial loss (gain)		$	590		$	(243	)	$	(33	)	$	14		$	(97	)	$	6		$	604		$	(340	)	$	(27	)
	Amortization of prior service credit (cost)		—			—			—			7			4			4			7			4			4
	Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)		(50		)	(102		)	(97		)	8			—			—			(42		)	(102		)	(97		)
	Other		—			—			—			(47		)	(30		)	—			(47		)	(30		)	—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		540			(345		)	(130		)	(18		)	(123		)	10			522			(468		)	(120		)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	595		$	(271	)	$	(41	)	$	(9	)	$	(95	)	$	38		$	586		$	(366	)	$	(3	)
	Information with respect to change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets, the funded status of the plans recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net amounts recognized at the end of fiscal years, weighted average assumptions and components of net periodic benefit cost follow:
			Pension Benefits
			Qualified Plans						Non-Qualified Plans						Other Benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year		$	3,509		$	3,443		$	263		$	221		$	294		$	402
	Service cost		48			40			3			3			11			17
	Interest cost		169			144			13			9			13			15
	Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			—			—			11			10
	Actuarial (gain) loss		539			(308		)	40			(20		)	14			(97		)
	Benefits paid		(163		)	(136		)	(15		)	(10		)	(21		)	(25		)
	Other		—			—			—			—			(47		)	(30		)
	Assumption of Harris Teeter benefit obligation		—			326			—			60			—			2
	Benefit obligation at end of fiscal year		$	4,102		$	3,509		$	304		$	263		$	275		$	294
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year		$	3,135		$	2,746		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets		217			139			—			—			—			—
	Employer contributions		—			100			15			10			10			15
	Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			—			—			11			10
	Benefits paid		(163		)	(136		)	(15		)	(10		)	(21		)	(25		)
	Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		—			286			—			—			—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year		$	3,189		$	3,135		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Funded status at end of fiscal year		$	(912	)	$	(374	)	$	(304	)	$	(263	)	$	(275	)	$	(294	)
	Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year		$	(912	)	$	(374	)	$	(304	)	$	(263	)	$	(275	)	$	(294	)
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, other current liabilities include $28 and $30, respectively, of net liability recognized for the above benefit plans.
	The pension plan assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Harris Teeter merger did not affect the Company’s net periodic benefit costs in 2013 due to the merger occurring close to year end.
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, pension plan assets do not include common shares of The Kroger Co.
			Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	Weighted average assumptions		2014		2013		2012		2014		2013		2012
	Discount rate — Benefit obligation		3.87	%	4.99	%	4.29	%	3.74	%	4.68	%	4.11	%
	Discount rate — Net periodic benefit cost		4.99	%	4.29	%	4.55	%	4.68	%	4.11	%	4.40	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.44	%	8.50	%	8.50	%
	Rate of compensation increase — Net periodic benefit cost		2.86	%	2.77	%	2.82	%
	Rate of compensation increase — Benefit obligation		2.85	%	2.86	%	2.77	%
	The Company’s discount rate assumptions were intended to reflect the rates at which the pension benefits could be effectively settled.  They take into account the timing and amount of benefits that would be available under the plans.  The Company’s policy is to match the plan’s cash flows to that of a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flow from coupons and maturities match the plan’s projected benefit cash flows.  The discount rates are the single rates that produce the same present value of cash flows.  The selection of the 3.87% and 3.74% discount rates as of year-end 2014 for pension and other benefits, respectively, represents the hypothetical bond portfolio using bonds with an AA or better rating constructed with the assistance of an outside consultant.  A 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would decrease the projected pension benefit obligation as of February 1, 2015, by approximately $500.
	To determine the expected rate of return on pension plan assets held by the Company for 2014, the Company considered current and forecasted plan asset allocations as well as historical and forecasted rates of return on various asset categories.  In 2014, the Company decreased the assumed pension plan investment return rate to 7.44% compared to 8.50% in 2013 and 2012.  The Company pension plan’s average rate of return was 7.58% for the 10 calendar years ended December 31, 2014, net of all investment management fees and expenses.  The value of all investments in the Qualified Plans during the calendar year ending December 31, 2014 increased 5.65%, net of investment management fees and expenses.  For the past 20 years, the Company’s average annual rate of return has been 9.58%.  Based on the above information and forward looking assumptions for investments made in a manner consistent with the Company’s target allocations, the Company believes a 7.44% rate of return assumption is reasonable.
	The Company calculates its expected return on plan assets by using the market-related value of plan assets.  The market-related value of plan assets is determined by adjusting the actual fair value of plan assets for gains or losses on plan assets.  Gains or losses represent the difference between actual and expected returns on plan investments for each plan year.  Gains or losses on plan assets are recognized evenly over a five year period.  Using a different method to calculate the market-related value of plan assets would provide a different expected return on plan assets.
	On January 31, 2015, the Company adopted new mortality tables based on mortality experience and assumptions for generational mortality improvement in calculating the Company’s 2014 year end Company sponsored benefit plans obligations. The tables assume an improvement in life expectancy and increase our current year benefit obligation and future expenses.  The Company used the RP-2000 projected 2021 mortality table in calculating the Company’s 2013 year end Company sponsored benefit plans obligations and 2014, 2013 and 2012 Company-sponsored benefit plans expenses.
	The funded status decreased in 2014, compared to 2013, due primarily to the decrease in the discount rate, a change in the mortality assumptions and the return on plan assets.
The following table provides the components of the Company’s net periodic benefit costs for 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Pension Benefits
		Qualified Plans									Non-Qualified Plans									Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		$	48		$	40		$	44		$	3		$	3		$	3		$	11		$	17		$	16
Interest cost		169			144			146			13			9			9			13			15			16
Expected return on plan assets		(228		)	(224		)	(210		)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (credit)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(7		)	(4		)	(4		)
Actuarial (gain) loss		46			93			88			4			9			9			(8		)	—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		$	35		$	53		$	68		$	20		$	21		$	21		$	9		$	28		$	28
The following table provides the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and the fair value of plan assets for all Company-sponsored pension plans.
		Qualified Plans						Non-Qualified Plans
		2014			2013			2014			2013
PBO at end of fiscal year		$	4,102		$	3,509		$	304		$	263
ABO at end of fiscal year		$	3,947		$	3,360		$	297		$	256
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	3,189		$	3,135		$	—		$	—
The following table provides information about the Company’s estimated future benefit payments.
		Pension			Other
		Benefits			Benefits
2015		$	205		$	14
2016		$	203		$	15
2017		$	211		$	16
2018		$	221		$	18
2019		$	229		$	19
2020 – 2024		$	1,268		$	110
The following table provides information about the weighted average target and actual pension plan asset allocations.
		Target allocations		Actual
				Allocations
		2014		2014		2013
Pension plan asset allocation
Global equity securities		14.6	%	13.4	%	15.0	%
Emerging market equity securities		5.6		5.8		6.2
Investment grade debt securities		11.6		11.2		10.4
High yield debt securities		12.7		12.5		12.5
Private equity		5.4		6.6		7.7
Hedge funds		36.5		37.5		34.2
Real estate		3.3		3.5		3.3
Other		10.3		9.5		10.7
Total		100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Investment objectives, policies and strategies are set by the Pension Investment Committees (the “Committees”) appointed by the CEO.  The primary objectives include holding and investing the assets and distributing benefits to participants and beneficiaries of the pension plans.  Investment objectives have been established based on a comprehensive review of the capital markets and each underlying plan’s current and projected financial requirements.  The time horizon of the investment objectives is long-term in nature and plan assets are managed on a going-concern basis.
Investment objectives and guidelines specifically applicable to each manager of assets are established and reviewed annually.  Derivative instruments may be used for specified purposes, including rebalancing exposures to certain asset classes.  Any use of derivative instruments for a purpose or in a manner not specifically authorized is prohibited, unless approved in advance by the Committees.
The current target allocations shown represent the 2014 targets that were established in 2013. The Company will rebalance by liquidating assets whose allocation materially exceeds target, if possible, and investing in assets whose allocation is materially below target.  If markets are illiquid, the Company may not be able to rebalance to target quickly.  To maintain actual asset allocations consistent with target allocations, assets are reallocated or rebalanced periodically.  In addition, cash flow from employer contributions and participant benefit payments can be used to fund underweight asset classes and divest overweight asset classes, as appropriate.  The Company expects that cash flow will be sufficient to meet most rebalancing needs.
The Company is not required and does not expect to make any contributions to the Qualified Plans in 2015.  If the Company does make any contributions in 2015, the Company expects these contributions will decrease its required contributions in future years.  Among other things, investment performance of plan assets, the interest rates required to be used to calculate the pension obligations, and future changes in legislation, will determine the amounts of any contributions.  The Company expects 2015 expense for Company-sponsored pension plans to be approximately $90.  In addition, the Company expects 401(k) retirement savings account plans cash contributions and expense from automatic and matching contributions to participants to be approximately $180 in 2015.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  The Company used a 7.00% initial health care cost trend rate, which is assumed to decrease on a linear basis to a 4.50% ultimate health care cost trend rate in 2028, to determine its expense.  A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
		1% Point			1% Point
		Increase			Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost components		$	3		$	(3	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		$	30		$	(26	)
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Qualified Plans’ assets at fair value as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014:
Assets at Fair Value as of January 31, 2015
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets for			Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		Identical Assets			(Level 2)			Inputs
		(Level 1)						(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	73		$	—		$	—		$	73
Corporate Stocks		294			—			—			294
Corporate Bonds		—			80			—			80
U.S. Government Securities		—			78			—			78
Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts		123			503			40			666
Partnerships/Joint Ventures		—			468			—			468
Hedge Funds		—			—			1,158			1,158
Private Equity		—			—			210			210
Real Estate		—			—			105			105
Other		—			57			—			57
Total		$	490		$	1,186		$	1,513		$	3,189
Assets at Fair Value as of February 1, 2014
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets for			Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		Identical Assets			(Level 2)			Inputs
		(Level 1)						(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	26		$	—		$	—		$	26
Corporate Stocks		326			—			—			326
Corporate Bonds		—			94			—			94
U.S. Government Securities		—			60			—			60
Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts		303			419			39			761
Partnerships/Joint Ventures		—			317			—			317
Hedge Funds		—			—			1,073			1,073
Private Equity		—			—			243			243
Real Estate		—			—			96			96
Other		—			139			—			139
Total		$	655		$	1,029		$	1,451		$	3,135
For measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during 2014 and 2013, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is as follows:
		Hedge Funds			Private Equity			Real Estate			Collective Trusts
Ending balance, February 2, 2013		739			180			91			—
Contributions into Fund		297			74			22			—
Realized gains		7			12			11			—
Unrealized gains		71			17			—			—
Distributions		(88		)	(47		)	(27		)	—
Other		—			7			(1		)	—
Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		47			—			—			39
Ending balance, February 1, 2014		1,073			243			96			39
Contributions into Fund		220			47			17			—
Realized gains		47			35			14			1
Unrealized gains		18			(1		)	4			—
Distributions		(257		)	(54		)	(25		)	—
Reclass(1)		58			(58		)	—			—
Other		(1		)	(2		)	(1		)	—
Ending balance, January 31, 2015		$	1,158		$	210		$	105		$	40
	-1		In 2014, the Company reclassified $58 of Level 3 assets from Private Equity to Hedge Funds.
See Note 8 for a discussion of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The assets’ fair value measurement level above is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following is a description of the valuation methods used for the Qualified Plans’ assets measured at fair value in the above tables:
	·		Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value approximates fair value.
	·		Corporate Stocks: The fair values of these securities are based on observable market quotations for identical assets and are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
	·		Corporate Bonds: The fair values of these securities are primarily based on observable market quotations for similar bonds, valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.  When such quoted prices are not available, the bonds are valued using a discounted cash flow approach using current yields on similar instruments of issuers with similar credit ratings, including adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks.
	·		U.S. Government Securities: Certain U.S. Government securities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded. Other U.S. government securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for similar securities, the security is valued under a discounted cash flow approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks.
	·		Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts: The mutual funds/collective trust funds are public investment vehicles valued using a Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by the manager of each fund.  The NAV is based on the underlying net assets owned by the fund, divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV’s unit price is quoted on a private market that is not active.  However, the NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the fund, which are traded on an active market, and valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.
	·		Partnerships/Joint Ventures: These funds consist primarily of U.S. government securities, Corporate Bonds, Corporate Stocks, and derivatives, which are valued in a manner consistent with these types of investments, noted above.
	·		Hedge Funds: Hedge funds are private investment vehicles valued using a Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by the manager of each fund.  The NAV is based on the underlying net assets owned by the fund, divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV’s unit price is quoted on a private market that is not active.  The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the funds, which may be traded on an active market, and valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.  For investments not traded on an active market, or for which a quoted price is not publicly available, a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches, are employed by the fund manager to value investments.  Fair values of all investments are adjusted annually, if necessary, based on audits of the Hedge Fund financial statements; such adjustments are reflected in the fair value of the plan’s assets.
	·		Private Equity: Private Equity investments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the fund, which include investments both traded on an active market and not traded on an active market. For those investments that are traded on an active market, the values are based on the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.  For investments not traded on an active market, or for which a quoted price is not publicly available, a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches, are employed by the fund manager to value investments.  Fair values of all investments are adjusted annually, if necessary, based on audits of the private equity fund financial statements; such adjustments are reflected in the fair value of the plan’s assets.
	·		Real Estate: Real estate investments include investments in real estate funds managed by a fund manager.  These investments are valued using a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement.
The Company contributed and expensed $177, $148 and $140 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The 401(k) retirement savings account plans provide to eligible employees both matching contributions and automatic contributions from the Company based on participant contributions, compensation as defined by the plan, and length of service.
The Company also administers other defined contribution plans for eligible employees.  The cost of these plans was $5, $5 and $7 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

MULTIEMPLOYER_PENSION_PLANS

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

16.MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

The Company contributes to various multi-employer pension plans, including the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, based on obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements.  The Company is designated as the named fiduciary of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan and has sole investment authority over these assets.  These plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers.  The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose.  Trustees are appointed in equal number by employers and unions.  The trustees typically are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants as well as for such matters as the investment of the assets and the administration of the plans.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a charge of $56 (after-tax) related to commitments and withdrawal liabilities associated with the restructuring of pension plan agreements, of which $15 was contributed to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in 2014.  The Company is required to contribute an additional $75 over the next four years related to the restructuring of these pension plan agreements.

The Company recognizes expense in connection with its multi-employer pension plans as contributions are funded, or in the case of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, when commitments are made.  The Company made contributions to multi-employer funds of $297 in 2014, $228 in 2013 and $492 in 2012.  The cash contribution for 2012 includes the Company’s $258 contribution to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The risks of participating in multi-employer pension plans are different from the risks of participating in single-employer pension plans in the following respects:

a.

Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

b.

If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan allocable to such withdrawing employer may be borne by the remaining participating employers.

c.

If the Company stops participating in some of its multi-employer pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on its allocable share of the unfunded vested benefits of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

The Company’s participation in multi-employer plans is outlined in the following tables.  The EIN / Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit pension plan number.  The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available in 2014 and 2013 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  Among other factors, generally, plans in the red zone are less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded.  The FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented Column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented.  Unless otherwise noted, the information for these tables was obtained from the Forms 5500 filed for each plan’s year-end at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The multi-employer contributions listed in the table below are the Company’s multi-employer contributions made in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.

The following table contains information about the Company’s multi-employer pension plans:

FIP/RP

Pension Protection

Status

EIN / Pension

Act Zone Status

Pending/

Multi-Employer Contributions

Surcharge

Pension Fund

Plan Number

2014

2013

Implemented

2014

2013

2012

Imposed(6)

SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund(1) (2)

95-1939092 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

$

48

$

45

$

43

No

Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan(1)

84-6277982 - 001

Green

Green

No

21

23

22

No

Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)(1) (3)

91-6069306 — 001

Red

Red

Implemented

15

13

12

No

Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan(1)

84-6045986 - 001

Green

Green

No

17

17

17

No

Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan(1)

93-6074377 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

7

7

7

No

Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund(1)

52-6118572 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

11

12

10

No

Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust(1) (4) (5)

91-6134141 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

1

3

3

No

Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension(1)

51-6031512 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

9

8

8

No

Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan(1)

84-6097461 - 001

Green

Green

No

8

8

8

No

United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund(1) (4)

51-6055922 - 001

Green

Green

No

33

33

33

No

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan

91-6145047 - 001

Green

Green

No

30

31

30

No

Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan

36-6044243 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

15

15

12

No

UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan(1)

58-6101602 — 001

Green

Green

No

70

—

275

No

Other

12

13

12

Total Contributions

$

297

$

228

$

492

-1

The Company’s multi-employer contributions to these respective funds represent more than 5% of the total contributions received by the pension funds.

-2

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.

-3

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

-4

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012.

-5

As of June 30, 2014, this pension fund was merged into the Sound Retirement Trust.  After the completion of the merger, on July 1, 2014, certain assets and liabilities related to the Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust were transferred from the Sound Retirement Trust to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.  See the above information regarding the restructuring of certain pension plan agreements.

-6

Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan.  As of January 31, 2015, the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by the applicable pension fund.

The following table describes (a) the expiration date of the Company’s collective bargaining agreements and (b) the expiration date of the Company’s most significant collective bargaining agreements for each of the material multi-employer funds in which the Company participates.

Expiration Date

Most Significant Collective

of Collective

Bargaining Agreements(1)

Bargaining

(not in millions)

Pension Fund

Agreements

Count

Expiration

SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund

March 2016 to June 2017

2

March 2016 to June 2017

UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan

February 2015 to March 2019

8

February 2015 to June 2018

Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan

October 2016 to June 2018

1

October 2016

Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)(3)

January 2015(2) to December 2016

2

May 2016 to August 2016

Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan

September 2015 to October 2015

1

September 2015

Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan

February 2015 to April 2017

3

August 2015 to June 2016

Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund

May 2011(2) to September 2017

4

July 2015 to May 2017

Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension

April 2013(2) to March 2015

2

March 2015

Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan

September 2015 to October 2015

1

September 2015

United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund

March 2014(2) to August 2018

2

April 2015 to March 2017

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan

April 2014(2) to April 2018

5

April 2015 to July 2017

Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan

September 2014(2)

2

-1

This column represents the number of significant collective bargaining agreements and their expiration date for each of the Company’s pension funds listed above.  For purposes of this table, the “significant collective bargaining agreements” are the largest based on covered employees that, when aggregated, cover the majority of the employees for which we make multi-employer contributions for the referenced pension fund.

-2

Certain collective bargaining agreements for each of these pension funds are operating under an extension.

-3

As of June 30, 2014, the Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust was merged into the Sound Retirement Trust.

Based on the most recent information available to it, the Company believes the present value of actuarial accrued liabilities in most of these multi-employer plans substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  Moreover, if the Company were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease making contributions to these funds, the Company could trigger a substantial withdrawal liability.  Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably estimated.

The Company also contributes to various other multi-employer benefit plans that provide health and welfare benefits to active and retired participants. Total contributions made by the Company to these other multi-employer health and welfare plans were approximately $1,200 in 2014, $1,100 in 2013 and $1,100 in 2012.

RECENTLY_ADOPTED_ACCOUNTING_ST

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	17.RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its standards on comprehensive income by requiring disclosure of information about amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component.  Specifically, the amendment requires disclosure of the effect of significant reclassifications out of AOCI on the respective line items in net income in which the item was reclassified if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period.  It requires cross reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail for amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety in the same reporting period.  This new disclosure became effective for the Company beginning February 3, 2013, and was adopted prospectively in accordance with the standard.  See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s disclosures related to this amended standard.
	In July 2013, the FASB amended ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The amendment provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This amendment became effective for the Company beginning February 2, 2014, and was adopted prospectively in accordance with the standard. The adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on net income and did not have a significant effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

RECENTLY_ISSUED_ACCOUNTING_STA

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	18.RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending January 27, 2018. Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this ASU on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)	19.QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
	The two tables that follow reflect the unaudited results of operations for 2014 and 2013.
		Quarter
	2014	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
		(16 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(52 Weeks)
	Sales	$	32,961	$	25,310	$	24,987	$	25,207	$	108,465
	Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	26,065		20,136		19,764		19,547		85,512
	Operating, general and administrative	5,168		3,920		3,954		4,119		17,161
	Rent	217		166		162		162		707
	Depreciation and amortization	581		444		456		467		1,948
	Operating profit	930		644		651		912		3,137
	Interest expense	147		112		114		115		488
	Earnings before income tax expense	783		532		537		797		2,649
	Income tax expense	274		182		172		274		902
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	509		350		365		523		1,747
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	8		3		3		5		19
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	501	$	347	$	362	$	518	$	1,728
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$	0.99	$	0.71	$	0.74	$	1.06	$	3.49
	Average number of shares used in basic calculation	501		485		486		486		490
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$	0.98	$	0.70	$	0.73	$	1.04	$	3.44
	Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	507		491		492		493		497
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.165	$	0.165	$	0.185	$	0.185	$	0.700
	Annual amounts may not sum due to rounding.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $87 charge to OG&A expenses due to commitments and withdrawal liabilities arising from restructuring of certain pension plan agreements to help stabilize associates’ future benefits.
	In the third quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $25 charge to OG&A expenses due to contributions to the Company’s charitable foundation and a $17 benefit to income tax expense due to certain tax items.
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $60 charge to OG&A expenses due to contributions to the Company’s charitable foundation and a $55 charge to OG&A expenses for contributions to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.
		Quarter
	2013	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
		(16 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(52 Weeks)
	Sales	$	29,997	$	22,686	$	22,470	$	23,222	$	98,375
	Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	23,817		18,059		17,866		18,397		78,138
	Operating, general and administrative	4,593		3,506		3,537		3,558		15,196
	Rent	189		139		138		147		613
	Depreciation and amortization	519		387		395		402		1,703
	Operating profit	879		595		534		718		2,725
	Interest expense	129		99		108		107		443
	Earnings before income tax expense	750		496		426		611		2,282
	Income tax expense	266		176		125		184		751
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	484		320		301		427		1,531
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	3		3		2		5		12
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	481	$	317	$	299	$	422	$	1,519
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$	0.93	$	0.61	$	0.58	$	0.82	$	2.93
	Average number of shares used in basic calculation	514		515		515		511		514
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$	0.92	$	0.60	$	0.57	$	0.81	$	2.90
	Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	520		521		521		517		520
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.150	$	0.150	$	0.165	$	0.165	$	0.630
	Annual amounts may not sum due to rounding.
	In the second quarter of 2013, the Company incurred a $3 charge to interest expense and a $2 charge to OG&A expense due to the merger with Harris Teeter.
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company incurred a $2 charge to interest expense and a $2 charge to OG&A expense due to the merger with Harris Teeter and a $19 benefit to income tax expense due to certain tax items.
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company incurred a $6 charge to interest expense and a $12 charge to OG&A expense due to the merger with Harris Teeter and a $21 benefit to income tax expense due to certain tax items.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Policies

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The Kroger Co. (the “Company”) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of January 31, 2015, the Company was one of the largest retailers in the nation based on annual sales.  The Company also manufactures and processes food for sale by its supermarkets.  The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary.  Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31.  The last three fiscal years consist of the 52-week periods ended January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 and the 53-week period ended February 2, 2013.
Pervasiveness of Estimates	Pervasiveness of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities.  Disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period is also required.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally on a last-in, first-out “LIFO” basis) or market.  In total, approximately 95% of inventories in 2014 and 2013 were valued using the LIFO method.  Cost for the balance of the inventories, including substantially all fuel inventories, was determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  Replacement cost was higher than the carrying amount by $1,245 at January 31, 2015 and $1,150 at February 1, 2014.  The Company follows the Link-Chain, Dollar-Value LIFO method for purposes of calculating its LIFO charge or credit.
	The item-cost method of accounting to determine inventory cost before the LIFO adjustment is followed for substantially all store inventories at the Company’s supermarket divisions.  This method involves counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts) of each item and recording the cost of items sold. The item-cost method of accounting allows for more accurate reporting of periodic inventory balances and enables management to more precisely manage inventory.  In addition, substantially all of the Company’s inventory consists of finished goods and is recorded at actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts).
	The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities.  Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts to provide for estimated shortages as of the financial statement date.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value.  Depreciation and amortization expense, which includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual assets.  Buildings and land improvements are depreciated based on lives varying from 10 to 40 years.  All new purchases of store equipment are assigned lives varying from three to nine years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term to which they relate, which varies from four to 25 years, or the useful life of the asset.  Manufacturing plant and distribution center equipment is depreciated over lives varying from three to 15 years.  Information technology assets are generally depreciated over five years.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $1,948 in 2014, $1,703 in 2013 and $1,652 in 2012.
	Interest costs on significant projects constructed for the Company’s own use are capitalized as part of the costs of the newly constructed facilities.  Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in net earnings.  Refer to Note 4 for further information regarding the Company’s property, plant and equipment.
Deferred Rent	Deferred Rent
	The Company recognizes rent holidays, including the time period during which the Company has access to the property for construction of buildings or improvements and escalating rent provisions on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  The deferred amount is included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of a triggering event.  The Company performs reviews of each of its operating divisions and variable interest entities (collectively, “reporting units”) that have goodwill balances.  Generally, fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and is compared to the carrying value of a reporting unit for purposes of identifying potential impairment.  Projected future cash flows are based on management’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future.  If potential for impairment is identified, the fair value of a reporting unit is measured against the fair value of its underlying assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, to estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  Goodwill impairment is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value.  Results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized in Note 3.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain triggering events have occurred.  These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset.  When a triggering event occurs, an impairment calculation is performed, comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores.  If the Company identifies impairment for long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company compares the assets’ current carrying value to the assets’ fair value.  Fair value is based on current market values or discounted future cash flows.  The Company records impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value.  With respect to owned property and equipment held for disposal, the value of the property and equipment is adjusted to reflect recoverable values based on previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  Impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal.  The Company recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $37, $39 and $18 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Costs to reduce the carrying value of long-lived assets for each of the years presented have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative” expense.
Store Closing Costs	Store Closing Costs
	The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the present value of the estimated remaining non-cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income.  The Company estimates the net lease liabilities using a discount rate to calculate the present value of the remaining net rent payments on closed stores.  The closed store lease liabilities usually are paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores, which generally have remaining terms ranging from one to 20 years.  Adjustments to closed store liabilities primarily relate to changes in subtenant income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates.  Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known.  Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs is adjusted to income in the proper period.
	Owned stores held for disposal are reduced to their estimated net realizable value.  Costs to reduce the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are accounted for in accordance with the Company’s policy on impairment of long-lived assets.  Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings, are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Merchandise costs.”  Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.
	The following table summarizes accrual activity for future lease obligations of stores that were closed in the normal course of business and assumed in the merger with Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (“Harris Teeter”):
			Future Lease
			Obligations
	Balance at February 2, 2013		44
	Additions		7
	Payments		(9		)
	Other		(2		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter		18
	Balance at February 1, 2014		58
	Additions		12
	Payments		(11		)
	Other		(6		)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	53
	The current portion of the future lease obligations of stores is included in “Other current liabilities,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Interest Rate Risk Management	Interest Rate Risk Management
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.  The Company’s current program relative to interest rate protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its derivative instruments are described in Note 7.
Commodity Price Protection	Commodity Price Protection
	The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its manufacturing facilities and energy to be used in its stores, manufacturing facilities and administrative offices.  The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of the normal course of business.  The Company’s current program relative to commodity price protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its purchase commitments are described in Note 7.
Benefit Plans and Multi-Employer Pension Plans	Benefit Plans and Multi-Employer Pension Plans
	The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”).  All plans are measured as of the Company’s fiscal year end.
	The determination of the obligation and expense for Company-sponsored pension plans and other post-retirement benefits is dependent on the selection of assumptions used by actuaries and the Company in calculating those amounts.  Those assumptions are described in Note 15 and include, among others, the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality and the rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.  Actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in future periods.  While the Company believes that the assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension and other post-retirement obligations and future expense.
	The Company also participates in various multi-employer plans for substantially all union employees.  Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are funded.  Refer to Note 16 for additional information regarding the Company’s participation in these various multi-employer plans and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (“UFCW”) Consolidated Pension Plan.
	The Company administers and makes contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts.  Contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts are expensed when contributed.  Refer to Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company’s benefit plans.
Share Based Compensation	Share Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock options under fair value recognition provisions.  Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted.  The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  In addition, the Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.  Refer to Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company’s stock based compensation.
Deferred Income Taxes	Deferred Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting basis.  Refer to Note 5 for the types of differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.  Deferred income taxes are classified as a net current or noncurrent asset or liability based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.  A deferred tax asset or liability that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting is classified according to the expected reversal date.
Uncertain Tax Positions	Uncertain Tax Positions
	The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in its consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 5 for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other related disclosures related to uncertain tax positions.
	Various taxing authorities periodically audit the Company’s income tax returns.  These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions.  In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures.  A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved.  As of January 31, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of the Company’s 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns.  Tax years 2010 through 2013 remain under examination.
	The assessment of the Company’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company’s various filing positions.
Self-Insurance Costs	Self-Insurance Costs
	The Company is primarily self-insured for costs related to workers’ compensation and general liability claims.  Liabilities are actuarially determined and are recognized based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The liabilities for workers’ compensation claims are accounted for on a present value basis.  The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis.  The Company is insured for covered costs in excess of these per claim limits.
	The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s self-insurance liability through January 31, 2015.
			2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance		$	569		$	537		$	529
	Expense		246			220			215
	Claim payments		(216		)	(215		)	(207		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter					27			
	Ending balance		599			569			537
	Less: Current portion		(213		)	(224		)	(205		)
	Long-term portion		$	386		$	345		$	332
	The current portion of the self-insured liability is included in “Other current liabilities,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The Company maintains surety bonds related to self-insured workers’ compensation claims.  These bonds are required by most states in which the Company is self-insured for workers’ compensation and are placed with third-party insurance providers to insure payment of the Company’s obligations in the event the Company is unable to meet its claim payment obligations up to its self-insured retention levels.  These bonds do not represent liabilities of the Company, as the Company has recorded reserves for the claim costs.
	The Company is similarly self-insured for property-related losses.  The Company maintains stop loss coverage to limit its property loss exposures including coverage for earthquake, wind, flood and other catastrophic events.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenues from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale.  Discounts provided to customers by the Company at the time of sale, including those provided in connection with loyalty cards, are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold.  Discounts provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the coupons are redeemable at any retailer that accepts coupons.  The Company records a receivable from the vendor for the difference in sales price and cash received.  Pharmacy sales are recorded when product is provided to the customer.  Sales taxes are recorded as other accrued liabilities and not as a component of sales.  The Company does not recognize a sale when it sells its own gift cards and gift certificates.  Rather, it records a deferred liability equal to the amount received.  A sale is then recognized when the gift card or gift certificate is redeemed to purchase the Company’s products.  Gift card and certificate breakage is recognized when redemption is deemed remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card.  The amount of breakage has not been material for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Merchandise Costs	Merchandise Costs
	The “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes product costs, net of discounts and allowances; advertising costs (see separate discussion below); inbound freight charges; warehousing costs, including receiving and inspection costs; transportation costs; and manufacturing production and operational costs.  Warehousing, transportation and manufacturing management salaries are also included in the “Merchandise costs” line item; however, purchasing management salaries and administration costs are included in the “Operating, general and administrative” line item along with most of the Company’s other managerial and administrative costs.  Rent expense and depreciation and amortization expense are shown separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Warehousing and transportation costs include distribution center direct wages, transportation direct wages, repairs and maintenance, utilities, inbound freight and, where applicable, third party warehouse management fees.  These costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred.
	The Company believes the classification of costs included in merchandise costs could vary widely throughout the industry.  The Company’s approach is to include in the “Merchandise costs” line item the direct, net costs of acquiring products and making them available to customers in its stores.  The Company believes this approach most accurately presents the actual costs of products sold.
	The Company recognizes all vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs when the related product is sold.  When possible, vendor allowances are applied to the related product cost by item and, therefore, reduce the carrying value of inventory by item.  When the items are sold, the vendor allowance is recognized.  When it is not possible, due to systems constraints, to allocate vendor allowances to the product by item, vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction in merchandise costs based on inventory turns and, therefore, recognized as the product is sold.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
	The Company’s advertising costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred and are included in the “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company’s pre-tax advertising costs totaled $648 in 2014, $587 in 2013 and $553 in 2012.  The Company does not record vendor allowances for co-operative advertising as a reduction of advertising expense.
Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Book Overdrafts	Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Book Overdrafts
	Cash and temporary cash investments represent store cash and short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months.  Book overdrafts are included in “Trade accounts payable” and “Accrued salaries and wages” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deposits In-Transit	Deposits In-Transit
	Deposits in-transit generally represent funds deposited to the Company’s bank accounts at the end of the year related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with debit cards, credit cards and checks, to which the Company does not have immediate access but settle within a few days of the sales transaction.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments.
	The net increase (decrease) in book overdrafts previously reported in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are now reported within operating activities.  Prior year amounts have been revised to the current year presentation.  These revisions were not material to the prior periods.
Segments	Segments
	The Company operates retail food and drug stores, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.  The Company’s retail operations, which represent over 99% of the Company’s consolidated sales and EBITDA, are its only reportable segment.  The Company’s retail operating divisions have been aggregated into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long-term financial performance.  In addition, the Company’s operating divisions offer to its customers similar products, have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the Company’s merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location.  The Company’s operating divisions reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, who act as the Company’s chief operating decision makers, assess performance internally.  All of the Company’s operations are domestic.
	The following table presents sales revenue by type of product for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
			2014					2013					2012
			Amount			% of total		Amount			% of total		Amount		% of total
	Non Perishable(1)		$	54,392		50.1	%	$	49,229		50.0	%	$	48,663	50.4	%
	Perishable(2)		24,178			22.3	%	20,625			21.0	%	19,761		20.5	%
	Fuel		18,850			17.4	%	18,962			19.3	%	18,896		19.5	%
	Pharmacy		9,032			8.3	%	8,073			8.2	%	8,018		8.3	%
	Other(3)		2,014			1.9	%	1,486			1.5	%	1,281		1.3	%
	Total Sales and other revenue		$	108,465		100.0	%	$	98,375		100.0	%	$	96,619	100.0	%
		-1		Consists primarily of grocery, general merchandise, health and beauty care and natural foods.
		-2		Consists primarily of produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli and bakery.
		-3		Consists primarily of sales related to jewelry stores, manufacturing plants to outside customers, variable interest entities, a specialty pharmacy, in-store health clinics and online sales by Vitacost.com.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Tables

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Summary of accrual activity for future lease obligations of stores that were closed
			Future Lease
			Obligations
	Balance at February 2, 2013		44
	Additions		7
	Payments		(9		)
	Other		(2		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter		18
	Balance at February 1, 2014		58
	Additions		12
	Payments		(11		)
	Other		(6		)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	53
Summary of changes in self-insurance liability
			2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance		$	569		$	537		$	529
	Expense		246			220			215
	Claim payments		(216		)	(215		)	(207		)
	Assumed from Harris Teeter					27			
	Ending balance		599			569			537
	Less: Current portion		(213		)	(224		)	(205		)
	Long-term portion		$	386		$	345		$	332
Summary of sales revenue by type of product
			2014					2013					2012
			Amount			% of total		Amount			% of total		Amount		% of total
	Non Perishable(1)		$	54,392		50.1	%	$	49,229		50.0	%	$	48,663	50.4	%
	Perishable(2)		24,178			22.3	%	20,625			21.0	%	19,761		20.5	%
	Fuel		18,850			17.4	%	18,962			19.3	%	18,896		19.5	%
	Pharmacy		9,032			8.3	%	8,073			8.2	%	8,018		8.3	%
	Other(3)		2,014			1.9	%	1,486			1.5	%	1,281		1.3	%
	Total Sales and other revenue		$	108,465		100.0	%	$	98,375		100.0	%	$	96,619	100.0	%
		-1		Consists primarily of grocery, general merchandise, health and beauty care and natural foods.
		-2		Consists primarily of produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli and bakery.
		-3		Consists primarily of sales related to jewelry stores, manufacturing plants to outside customers, variable interest entities, a specialty pharmacy, in-store health clinics and online sales by Vitacost.com.

MERGERS_Tables

MERGERS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
MERGERS
Schedule of pro forma results of operations
		Fiscal year ended			Fiscal year ended
		January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014
	Sales	$	108,687		$	103,584
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	1,736			1,624
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19			12
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	1,717		$	1,612
Vitacost.com, Inc.
MERGERS
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
		August 18,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	79
	Property, plant and equipment	28
	Intangibles	81
	Total Assets, excluding Goodwill	188
	LIABILITIES
	Total current liabilities	(54		)
	Deferred income taxes	(7		)
	Total Liabilities	(61		)
	Total Identifiable Net Assets	127
	Goodwill	160
	Total Purchase Price	$	287
Harris Teeter
MERGERS
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
		January 28,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Cash and temporary cash investments	$	92
	Store deposits in-transit	28
	Receivables	41
	FIFO inventory	426
	Prepaid and other current assets	31
	Total current assets	618
	Property, plant and equipment	1,328
	Intangibles	558
	Other assets	238
	Total Assets, excluding Goodwill	2,742
	LIABILITIES
	Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	(7		)
	Trade accounts payable	(202		)
	Accrued salaries and wages	(60		)
	Deferred income taxes	(16		)
	Other current liabilities	(164		)
	Total current liabilities	(449		)
	Fair-value of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations	(252		)
	Deferred income taxes	(280		)
	Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	(98		)
	Other long-term liabilities	(137		)
	Total Liabilities	(1,216		)
	Total Identifiable Net Assets	1,526
	Goodwill	910
	Total Purchase Price	$	2,436

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Summary of the changes in net goodwill
			2014			2013
	Balance beginning of year
	Goodwill		$	4,667		$	3,766
	Accumulated impairment losses		(2,532		)	(2,532		)
			2,135			1,234
	Activity during the year
	Acquisitions		169			901
	Balance end of year
	Goodwill		4,836			4,667
	Accumulated impairment losses		(2,532		)	(2,532		)
			$	2,304		$	2,135
Summary of intangible assets
			2014						2013
			Gross carrying			Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
			amount			amortization(1)			amount		amortization(1)
	Definite-lived favorable leasehold interests		$	101		$	(26	)	$	144	$	(61	)
	Definite-lived pharmacy prescription files		98			(41		)	95		(28		)
	Definite-lived customer relationships		87			(17		)	38		(4		)
	Definite-lived other		74			(13		)	40		(6		)
	Indefinite-lived trade name		430			—			430		—
	Indefinite-lived liquor licenses		64			—			54		—
	Total		$	854		$	(97	)	$	801	$	(99	)
		-1		Favorable leasehold interests are amortized to rent expense, pharmacy prescription files are amortized to merchandise costs, customer relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense and other intangibles are amortized to operating, general and administrative (“OG&A”) expense and depreciation and amortization expense.
Schedule of future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets
	2015		$	47
	2016		38
	2017		31
	2018		28
	2019		26
	Thereafter		93
	Total future estimated amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets		$	263

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_N1

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Schedule of property, plant and equipment, net
		2014			2013
	Land	$	2,819		$	2,639
	Buildings and land improvements	9,639			8,848
	Equipment	11,587			11,037
	Leasehold improvements	8,068			7,644
	Construction-in-progress	1,690			1,520
	Leased property under capital leases and financing obligations	737			691
	Total property, plant and equipment	34,540			32,379
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(16,628		)	(15,486		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	17,912		$	16,893

TAXES_BASED_ON_INCOME_Tables

TAXES BASED ON INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
TAXES BASED ON INCOME
Schedule of provision for income taxes
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal
	Current	$	847		$	638		$	563
	Deferred	(15		)	81			154
	Subtotal federal	832			719			717
	State and local
	Current	59			42			46
	Deferred	11			(10		)	31
	Subtotal state and local	70			32			77
	Total	$	902		$	751		$	794
Schedule of reconciliation of the statutory federal rate and the effective rate
		2014		2013		2012
	Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.7	%	0.9	%	2.2	%
	Credits	(1.2	)%	(1.3	)%	(1.4	)%
	Favorable resolution of issues	(0.4	)%			(0.5	)%
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(0.7	)%	(1.1	)%	(0.5	)%
	Other changes, net	(0.3	)%	(0.6	)%	(0.3	)%
		34.1	%	32.9	%	34.5	%
Schedule of significant temporary differences that comprise tax balances
		2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$	5		$	4
	Compensation related costs	88			103
	Other	14			15
	Subtotal	107			122
	Valuation allowance	(7		)	(9		)
	Total current deferred tax assets	100			113
	Current deferred tax liabilities:
	Insurance related costs	(99		)	(96		)
	Inventory related costs	(288		)	(265		)
	Total current deferred tax liabilities	(387		)	(361		)
	Current deferred taxes	$	(287	)	$	(248	)
	Long-term deferred tax assets:
	Compensation related costs	$	721		$	464
	Lease accounting	129			115
	Closed store reserves	50			54
	Insurance related costs	77			66
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	115			103
	Other	2			
	Subtotal	1,094			802
	Valuation allowance	(42		)	(38		)
	Total long-term deferred tax assets	1,052			764
	Long-term deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization	(2,261		)	(2,128		)
	Other				(17		)
	Total long-term deferred tax liabilities	(2,261		)	(2,145		)
	Long-term deferred taxes	$	(1,209	)	$	(1,381	)
Schedule of reconciliation of beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits
		2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	325		$	299		$	310
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	17			23			45
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	(6		)	(10		)	(9		)
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	9			17			1
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(36		)	(4		)	(27		)
	Settlements	(63		)				(21		)
	Ending balance	$	246		$	325		$	299

DEBT_OBLIGATIONS_Tables

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Schedule of long-term debt
		2014			2013
	0.76% to 8.00% Senior notes due through 2043	$	9,283		$	9,083
	5.00% to 12.75% Mortgages due in varying amounts through 2027	73			64
	0.27% to 0.37% Commercial paper due through February 2015	1,275			1,250
	Other	454			383
	Total debt	11,085			10,780
	Less current portion	(1,844		)	(1,616		)
	Total long-term debt	$	9,241		$	9,164
Schedule of aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt
	2015	$	1,844
	2016	1,299
	2017	736
	2018	1,008
	2019	773
	Thereafter	5,425
	Total debt	$	11,085

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN1

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Summary of outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges
		2014						2013
		Pay			Pay			Pay			Pay
		Floating			Fixed			Floating			Fixed
	Notional amount	$	100		$	—		$	100		$	—
	Number of contracts	2			—			2			—
	Duration in years	3.94			—			4.94			—
	Average variable rate	5.83		%	—			5.83		%	—
	Average fixed rate	6.80		%	—			6.80		%	—
	Maturity	December 2018						December 2018
Schedule of gains or losses on fair value hedges and hedged items and the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges
		Year-To-Date
		January 31, 2015						February 1, 2014
	Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification	Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on			Gain/(Loss) on
		Swaps			Borrowings			Swaps			Borrowings
	Interest Expense	$	2		$	(2	)	$	(3	)	$	4
		Asset Derivatives
		Fair Value
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments	January 31,			February 1,			Balance Sheet Location
		2015			2014
	Interest Rate Hedges	$	—		$	(2	)	(Other long-term liabilities)/Other assets
Schedule of effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
		Year-To-Date
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging	Amount of Gain/(Loss) in						Amount of Gain/(Loss)						Location of Gain/(Loss)
		AOCI on Derivative						Reclassified from AOCI into						Reclassified into Income
		(Effective Portion)						Income (Effective Portion)
	Relationships	2014			2013			2014			2013			(Effective Portion)
	Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps, net of tax*	$	(49	)	$	(25	)	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	Interest expense
Schedule of effects of master netting agreements
								Net Amount			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
											Balance Sheet
	January 31, 2015	Gross Amount			Gross Amounts Offset			Presented in the			Financial			Cash Collateral			Net Amount
		Recognized			in the Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Instruments
	Liabilities
	Cash Flow Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps	$	39		$	—		$	39		$	—			$	—	$	39
								Net Amount			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
											Balance Sheet
	February 1, 2014	Gross Amount			Gross Amounts Offset			Presented in the			Financial			Cash Collateral			Net Amount
		Recognized			in the Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Instruments
	Liabilities
	Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps	$	2		$	—		$	2		$	—			$	—	$	2

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Summary of fair value measurements
	January 31, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other			Significant		Total
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		for Identical		(Level 2)			Inputs
		Assets					(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Trading Securities	$	47	$	—		$	—	$	47
	Available-for-Sale Securities	36		—			—		36
	Warrants	—		26			—		26
	Long-Lived Assets	—		—			22		22
	Interest Rate Hedges	—		(39		)	—		(39		)
	Total	$	83	$	(13	)	$	22	$	92
	The table above includes Harris Teeter assets at fair value as of January 31, 2015.
	February 1, 2014 Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other			Significant		Total
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		for Identical		(Level 2)			Inputs
		Assets					(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-Sale Securities	$	36	$	—		$	—	$	36
	Warrants	—		16			—		16
	Long-Lived Assets	—		—			29		29
	Interest Rate Hedges	—		(2		)	—		(2		)
	Total	$	36	$	14		$	29	$	79

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Schedule of changes in AOCI by component
			Cash Flow			Available for sale			Pension and			Total(1)
			Hedging			Securities(1)			Postretirement
			Activities(1)						Defined Benefit
									Plans(1)
	Balance at February 2, 2013		$	(14	)	$	7		$	(746	)	$	(753	)
	OCI before reclassifications(2)		(12		)	5			233			226
	Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3)		1			—			62			63
	Net current-period OCI		(11		)	5			295			289
	Balance at February 1, 2014		(25		)	12			(451		)	(464		)
	OCI before reclassifications(2)		(25		)	5			(351		)	(371		)
	Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3)		1			—			22			23
	Net current-period OCI		(24		)	5			(329		)	(348		)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	(49	)	$	17		$	(780	)	$	(812	)
		-1		All amounts are net of tax.
		-2		Net of tax of $(8), $3 and $137 for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of February 1, 2014.  Net of tax of $(14), $3 and $(206) for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of January 31, 2015.
		-3		Net of tax of $1 and $36 for cash flow hedging activities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of February 1, 2014.  Net of tax of $13 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, as of January 31, 2015.
Schedule of items reclassified out of AOCI and the related tax effects
			For the year ended			For the year ended
			January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014
	Gains on cash flow hedging activities
	Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities(1)		$	1		$	2
	Tax expense		—			(1		)
	Net of tax		1			1
	Pension and postretirement defined benefit plan items
	Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense(2)		35			98
	Tax expense		(13		)	(36		)
	Net of tax		22			62
	Total reclassifications, net of tax		$	23		$	63
		-1		Reclassified from AOCI into interest expense.
		-2		Reclassified from AOCI into merchandise costs and OG&A expense.  These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (see Note 15 for additional details).

LEASES_AND_LEASEFINANCED_TRANS1

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Schedule of rent expense (under operating leases)
		2014			2013			2012
	Minimum rentals	$	795		$	706		$	727
	Contingent payments	16			13			13
	Tenant income	(104		)	(106		)	(112		)
	Total rent expense	$	707		$	613		$	628
Schedule of minimum annual rentals and payments under capital leases and lease-financed transactions
		Capital			Operating			Lease-
		Leases			Leases			Financed
								Transactions
	2015	$	63		$	837		$	7
	2016	60			773			7
	2017	58			699			8
	2018	49			629			8
	2019	45			554			9
	Thereafter	409			2,877			79
	Total	684			$	6,369		$	118
	Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases	—
	Net minimum lease payments under capital leases	684
	Less amount representing interest	231
	Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases	$	453

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Schedule of earnings per common and diluted shares
		For the year ended					For the year ended					For the year ended
		January 31, 2015					February 1, 2014					February 2, 2013
	(in millions, except per share amounts)	Earnings		Shares	Per		Earnings		Shares	Per		Earnings		Shares	Per
		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share		(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Share
					Amount					Amount					Amount
	Net earnings attributable to The	$	1,711	490	$	3.49	$	1,507	514	$	2.93	$	1,485	533	$	2.78
	Kroger Co. per basic common share
	Dilutive effect of stock options			7					6					4
	Net earnings attributable to The	$	1,711	497	$	3.44	$	1,507	520	$	2.90	$	1,485	537	$	2.77
	Kroger Co. per diluted common share

STOCK_OPTION_PLANS_Tables

STOCK OPTION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
STOCK OPTION PLANS
Summary of changes in stock options outstanding
		Shares		Weighted-
		subject		average
		to option		exercise
		(in millions)		price
	Outstanding, year-end 2011	31		$	21.8
	Granted	4.1		$	22.04
	Exercised	(6.7	)	$	18.35
	Canceled or Expired	(1.9	)	$	23.28
	Outstanding, year-end 2012	26.5		$	22.61
	Granted	4.2		$	37.68
	Exercised	(8.8	)	$	22.22
	Canceled or Expired	(0.2	)	$	25.47
	Outstanding, year-end 2013	21.7		$	25.66
	Granted	4.2		$	49.42
	Exercised	(5.2	)	$	23.13
	Canceled or Expired	(0.3	)	$	31.05
	Outstanding, year-end 2014	20.4		$	31.13
Summary of options outstanding and exercisable	A summary of options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2015 follows:
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number		Weighted-		Weighted-		Options	Weighted-average
		outstanding		average		average		exercisable	exercise price
				remaining		exercise price
				contractual life
		(in millions)		(in years)				(in millions)
	15.92 – 21.95	3.2		3.47		$	19.53	3.0	$	19.46
	21.96 – 22.60	4.2		6.4		$	22.09	2.7	$	22.16
	22.61 – 28.26	2.6		6.15		$	24.77	1.8	$	24.79
	28.27 – 37.75	2.8		3.04		$	28.52	2.7	$	28.47
	37.76 – 49.32	3.5		8.46		$	37.96	1.1	$	37.82
	49.33 – 61.89	4.1		9.46		$	49.55	—	$	49.33
		20.4		6.41		$	31.13	11.3	$	24.92
Summary of changes in restricted stock outstanding
		Restricted		Weighted-average
		shares		grant-date
		outstanding		fair value
		(in millions)
	Outstanding, year-end 2011	4.2		$	23.92
	Granted	2.6		$	22.23
	Lapsed	(2.4	)	$	24.34
	Canceled or Expired	(0.1	)	$	23.28
	Outstanding, year-end 2012	4.3		$	22.67
	Granted	3.2		$	37.69
	Lapsed	(2.5	)	$	22.97
	Canceled or Expired	(0.1	)	$	27.31
	Outstanding, year-end 2013	4.8		$	32.31
	Granted	3.1		$	49.51
	Lapsed	(2.6	)	$	33.05
	Canceled or Expired	(0.2	)	$	37.33
	Outstanding, year-end 2014	5.1		$	42.08
Summary of weighted-average assumptions used for grants awarded to option holders
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted average expected volatility	25.29%		26.34%		26.49%
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	2.06%		1.87%		0.97%
	Expected dividend yield	1.51%		1.82%		2.49%
	Expected term (based on historical results)	6.6 years		6.8 years		6.9 years

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS1

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS
Schedule of amounts recognized in AOCI (pre-tax)
			Pension Benefits						Other Benefits						Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	1,398		$	857		$	(89	)	$	(111	)	$	1,309		$	746
	Prior service cost (credit)		1			2			(75		)	(35		)	(74		)	(33		)
	Total		$	1,399		$	859		$	(164	)	$	(146	)	$	1,235		$	713
Schedule of amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year (pre-tax)
			Pension Benefits			Other Benefits			Total
			2015			2015			2015
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	99		$	(6	)	$	93
	Prior service credit		—			(11		)	(11		)
	Total		$	99		$	(17	)	$	82
Schedule of other changes recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax)
			Pension Benefits									Other Benefits									Total
			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Incurred net actuarial loss (gain)		$	590		$	(243	)	$	(33	)	$	14		$	(97	)	$	6		$	604		$	(340	)	$	(27	)
	Amortization of prior service credit (cost)		—			—			—			7			4			4			7			4			4
	Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)		(50		)	(102		)	(97		)	8			—			—			(42		)	(102		)	(97		)
	Other		—			—			—			(47		)	(30		)	—			(47		)	(30		)	—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		540			(345		)	(130		)	(18		)	(123		)	10			522			(468		)	(120		)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	595		$	(271	)	$	(41	)	$	(9	)	$	(95	)	$	38		$	586		$	(366	)	$	(3	)
Schedule of change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets, the funded status of the plans recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and net amounts recognized at the end of fiscal years
			Pension Benefits
			Qualified Plans						Non-Qualified Plans						Other Benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year		$	3,509		$	3,443		$	263		$	221		$	294		$	402
	Service cost		48			40			3			3			11			17
	Interest cost		169			144			13			9			13			15
	Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			—			—			11			10
	Actuarial (gain) loss		539			(308		)	40			(20		)	14			(97		)
	Benefits paid		(163		)	(136		)	(15		)	(10		)	(21		)	(25		)
	Other		—			—			—			—			(47		)	(30		)
	Assumption of Harris Teeter benefit obligation		—			326			—			60			—			2
	Benefit obligation at end of fiscal year		$	4,102		$	3,509		$	304		$	263		$	275		$	294
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year		$	3,135		$	2,746		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets		217			139			—			—			—			—
	Employer contributions		—			100			15			10			10			15
	Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			—			—			11			10
	Benefits paid		(163		)	(136		)	(15		)	(10		)	(21		)	(25		)
	Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		—			286			—			—			—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year		$	3,189		$	3,135		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Funded status at end of fiscal year		$	(912	)	$	(374	)	$	(304	)	$	(263	)	$	(275	)	$	(294	)
	Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year		$	(912	)	$	(374	)	$	(304	)	$	(263	)	$	(275	)	$	(294	)
Schedule of weighted-average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost
			Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	Weighted average assumptions		2014		2013		2012		2014		2013		2012
	Discount rate — Benefit obligation		3.87	%	4.99	%	4.29	%	3.74	%	4.68	%	4.11	%
	Discount rate — Net periodic benefit cost		4.99	%	4.29	%	4.55	%	4.68	%	4.11	%	4.40	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.44	%	8.50	%	8.50	%
	Rate of compensation increase — Net periodic benefit cost		2.86	%	2.77	%	2.82	%
	Rate of compensation increase — Benefit obligation		2.85	%	2.86	%	2.77	%
Schedule of components of net periodic benefit cost
			Pension Benefits
			Qualified Plans									Non-Qualified Plans									Other Benefits
			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost		$	48		$	40		$	44		$	3		$	3		$	3		$	11		$	17		$	16
	Interest cost		169			144			146			13			9			9			13			15			16
	Expected return on plan assets		(228		)	(224		)	(210		)	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost (credit)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(7		)	(4		)	(4		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss		46			93			88			4			9			9			(8		)	—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost		$	35		$	53		$	68		$	20		$	21		$	21		$	9		$	28		$	28
Schedule of projected benefit obligation ("PBO"), accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO") and the fair value of plan assets for all Company-sponsored pension plans
			Qualified Plans						Non-Qualified Plans
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	PBO at end of fiscal year		$	4,102		$	3,509		$	304		$	263
	ABO at end of fiscal year		$	3,947		$	3,360		$	297		$	256
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	3,189		$	3,135		$	—		$	—
Schedule of estimated future benefit payments for defined benefit pension plans and other benefits
			Pension			Other
			Benefits			Benefits
	2015		$	205		$	14
	2016		$	203		$	15
	2017		$	211		$	16
	2018		$	221		$	18
	2019		$	229		$	19
	2020 – 2024		$	1,268		$	110
Schedule of weighted average target and actual pension plan asset allocations
			Target allocations		Actual
					Allocations
			2014		2014		2013
	Pension plan asset allocation
	Global equity securities		14.6	%	13.4	%	15.0	%
	Emerging market equity securities		5.6		5.8		6.2
	Investment grade debt securities		11.6		11.2		10.4
	High yield debt securities		12.7		12.5		12.5
	Private equity		5.4		6.6		7.7
	Hedge funds		36.5		37.5		34.2
	Real estate		3.3		3.5		3.3
	Other		10.3		9.5		10.7
	Total		100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Schedule of effects of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates
			1% Point			1% Point
			Increase			Decrease
	Effect on total of service and interest cost components		$	3		$	(3	)
	Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		$	30		$	(26	)
Schedule of fair values of defined benefit pension plan assets
	Assets at Fair Value as of January 31, 2015
			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
			Active Markets for			Observable Inputs			Unobservable
			Identical Assets			(Level 2)			Inputs
			(Level 1)						(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	73		$	—		$	—		$	73
	Corporate Stocks		294			—			—			294
	Corporate Bonds		—			80			—			80
	U.S. Government Securities		—			78			—			78
	Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts		123			503			40			666
	Partnerships/Joint Ventures		—			468			—			468
	Hedge Funds		—			—			1,158			1,158
	Private Equity		—			—			210			210
	Real Estate		—			—			105			105
	Other		—			57			—			57
	Total		$	490		$	1,186		$	1,513		$	3,189
	Assets at Fair Value as of February 1, 2014
			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
			Active Markets for			Observable Inputs			Unobservable
			Identical Assets			(Level 2)			Inputs
			(Level 1)						(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	26		$	—		$	—		$	26
	Corporate Stocks		326			—			—			326
	Corporate Bonds		—			94			—			94
	U.S. Government Securities		—			60			—			60
	Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts		303			419			39			761
	Partnerships/Joint Ventures		—			317			—			317
	Hedge Funds		—			—			1,073			1,073
	Private Equity		—			—			243			243
	Real Estate		—			—			96			96
	Other		—			139			—			139
	Total		$	655		$	1,029		$	1,451		$	3,135
Schedule of reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
			Hedge Funds			Private Equity			Real Estate			Collective Trusts
	Ending balance, February 2, 2013		739			180			91			—
	Contributions into Fund		297			74			22			—
	Realized gains		7			12			11			—
	Unrealized gains		71			17			—			—
	Distributions		(88		)	(47		)	(27		)	—
	Other		—			7			(1		)	—
	Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		47			—			—			39
	Ending balance, February 1, 2014		1,073			243			96			39
	Contributions into Fund		220			47			17			—
	Realized gains		47			35			14			1
	Unrealized gains		18			(1		)	4			—
	Distributions		(257		)	(54		)	(25		)	—
	Reclass(1)		58			(58		)	—			—
	Other		(1		)	(2		)	(1		)	—
	Ending balance, January 31, 2015		$	1,158		$	210		$	105		$	40
		-1		In 2014, the Company reclassified $58 of Level 3 assets from Private Equity to Hedge Funds.

MULTIEMPLOYER_PENSION_PLANS_Ta

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Collective Bargaining Agreements

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

Schedule of multi-employer pension plans

Expiration Date

Most Significant Collective

of Collective

Bargaining Agreements(1)

Bargaining

(not in millions)

Pension Fund

Agreements

Count

Expiration

SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund

March 2016 to June 2017

2

March 2016 to June 2017

UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan

February 2015 to March 2019

8

February 2015 to June 2018

Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan

October 2016 to June 2018

1

October 2016

Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)(3)

January 2015(2) to December 2016

2

May 2016 to August 2016

Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan

September 2015 to October 2015

1

September 2015

Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan

February 2015 to April 2017

3

August 2015 to June 2016

Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund

May 2011(2) to September 2017

4

July 2015 to May 2017

Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension

April 2013(2) to March 2015

2

March 2015

Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan

September 2015 to October 2015

1

September 2015

United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund

March 2014(2) to August 2018

2

April 2015 to March 2017

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan

April 2014(2) to April 2018

5

April 2015 to July 2017

Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan

September 2014(2)

2

-1

This column represents the number of significant collective bargaining agreements and their expiration date for each of the Company’s pension funds listed above.  For purposes of this table, the “significant collective bargaining agreements” are the largest based on covered employees that, when aggregated, cover the majority of the employees for which we make multi-employer contributions for the referenced pension fund.

-2

Certain collective bargaining agreements for each of these pension funds are operating under an extension.

-3

As of June 30, 2014, the Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust was merged into the Sound Retirement Trust.

Multi-employer Pension Plan

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

Schedule of multi-employer pension plans

FIP/RP

Pension Protection

Status

EIN / Pension

Act Zone Status

Pending/

Multi-Employer Contributions

Surcharge

Pension Fund

Plan Number

2014

2013

Implemented

2014

2013

2012

Imposed(6)

SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund(1) (2)

95-1939092 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

$

48

$

45

$

43

No

Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan(1)

84-6277982 - 001

Green

Green

No

21

23

22

No

Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)(1) (3)

91-6069306 — 001

Red

Red

Implemented

15

13

12

No

Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan(1)

84-6045986 - 001

Green

Green

No

17

17

17

No

Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan(1)

93-6074377 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

7

7

7

No

Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund(1)

52-6118572 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

11

12

10

No

Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust(1) (4) (5)

91-6134141 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

1

3

3

No

Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension(1)

51-6031512 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

9

8

8

No

Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan(1)

84-6097461 - 001

Green

Green

No

8

8

8

No

United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund(1) (4)

51-6055922 - 001

Green

Green

No

33

33

33

No

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan

91-6145047 - 001

Green

Green

No

30

31

30

No

Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan

36-6044243 - 001

Red

Red

Implemented

15

15

12

No

UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan(1)

58-6101602 — 001

Green

Green

No

70

—

275

No

Other

12

13

12

Total Contributions

$

297

$

228

$

492

-1

The Company’s multi-employer contributions to these respective funds represent more than 5% of the total contributions received by the pension funds.

-2

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.

-3

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

-4

The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012.

-5

As of June 30, 2014, this pension fund was merged into the Sound Retirement Trust.  After the completion of the merger, on July 1, 2014, certain assets and liabilities related to the Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust were transferred from the Sound Retirement Trust to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.  See the above information regarding the restructuring of certain pension plan agreements.

-6

Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan.  As of January 31, 2015, the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by the applicable pension fund.

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED_Table

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Schedule of quarterly data (unaudited)
		Quarter
	2014	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
		(16 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(52 Weeks)
	Sales	$	32,961	$	25,310	$	24,987	$	25,207	$	108,465
	Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	26,065		20,136		19,764		19,547		85,512
	Operating, general and administrative	5,168		3,920		3,954		4,119		17,161
	Rent	217		166		162		162		707
	Depreciation and amortization	581		444		456		467		1,948
	Operating profit	930		644		651		912		3,137
	Interest expense	147		112		114		115		488
	Earnings before income tax expense	783		532		537		797		2,649
	Income tax expense	274		182		172		274		902
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	509		350		365		523		1,747
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	8		3		3		5		19
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	501	$	347	$	362	$	518	$	1,728
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$	0.99	$	0.71	$	0.74	$	1.06	$	3.49
	Average number of shares used in basic calculation	501		485		486		486		490
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$	0.98	$	0.70	$	0.73	$	1.04	$	3.44
	Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	507		491		492		493		497
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.165	$	0.165	$	0.185	$	0.185	$	0.700
		Quarter
	2013	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
		(16 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(12 Weeks)		(52 Weeks)
	Sales	$	29,997	$	22,686	$	22,470	$	23,222	$	98,375
	Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	23,817		18,059		17,866		18,397		78,138
	Operating, general and administrative	4,593		3,506		3,537		3,558		15,196
	Rent	189		139		138		147		613
	Depreciation and amortization	519		387		395		402		1,703
	Operating profit	879		595		534		718		2,725
	Interest expense	129		99		108		107		443
	Earnings before income tax expense	750		496		426		611		2,282
	Income tax expense	266		176		125		184		751
	Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	484		320		301		427		1,531
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	3		3		2		5		12
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$	481	$	317	$	299	$	422	$	1,519
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$	0.93	$	0.61	$	0.58	$	0.82	$	2.93
	Average number of shares used in basic calculation	514		515		515		511		514
	Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$	0.92	$	0.60	$	0.57	$	0.81	$	2.90
	Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	520		521		521		517		520
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.150	$	0.150	$	0.165	$	0.165	$	0.630

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Details

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal year									364 days	364 days	371 days
Inventories
Percentage of inventory valued at LIFO method	95.00%			95.00%					95.00%	95.00%
Replacement cost over carrying value	$1,245			$1,150					$1,245	$1,150
Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation and amortization	467	456	444	402	395	387	581	519	1,948	1,703	1,652
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Asset impairment charge									37	39	18
Increase (Decrease) in the accrual activity for future lease obligations of closed stores
Balance at the beginning of the period							58	44	58	44
Additions									12	7
Payments									-11	-9
Other									-6	-2
Assumed from Harris Teeter										18
Balance at the end of the period	53			58					53	58	44
Changes in self-insurance liability
Balance at the beginning of the period							569	537	569	537	529
Expense									246	220	215
Claim payments									-216	-215	-207
Assumed from Harris Teeter										27
Balance at the end of the period	599			569					599	569	537
Less: Current portion	-213			-224					-213	-224	-205
Long-term portion	386			345					386	345	332
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs									$648	$587	$553
Minimum
Store Closing Costs
Remaining lease terms of closed stores									1 year
Maximum
Store Closing Costs
Remaining lease terms of closed stores									20 years
Buildings and land improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									10 years
Buildings and land improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									40 years
Store equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									3 years
Store equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									9 years
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									4 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									25 years
Manufacturing plant and distribution center equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									3 years
Manufacturing plant and distribution center equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									15 years
Information Technology
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life of the assets									5 years

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Details_2

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
									segment	segment	segment
Segments
Company's retail operations (as a percent)									99.00%
Number of segments									1	1	1
Total Sales and other revenue	$25,207	$24,987	$25,310	$23,222	$22,470	$22,686	$32,961	$29,997	$108,465	$98,375	$96,619
Percentage of total sales									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Non Perishable
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									54,392	49,229	48,663
Percentage of total sales									50.10%	50.00%	50.40%
Perishable
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									24,178	20,625	19,761
Percentage of total sales									22.30%	21.00%	20.50%
Fuel
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									18,850	18,962	18,896
Percentage of total sales									17.40%	19.30%	19.50%
Pharmacy
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									9,032	8,073	8,018
Percentage of total sales									8.30%	8.20%	8.30%
Other
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									$2,014	$1,486	$1,281
Percentage of total sales									1.90%	1.50%	1.30%

MERGERS_Details

MERGERS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Aug. 18, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Additional disclosures
Goodwill	$2,304	$2,135			$1,234
Pro forma results of operations
Sales	108,687	103,584
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	1,736	1,624
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	12
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	1,717	1,612
Vitacost.com, Inc.
MERGERS
Percentage of outstanding common stock acquired			100.00%
Price per share of outstanding common stock acquired			$8
Purchase price of outstanding common stock acquired			287
ASSETS
Total current assets			79
Property, plant and equipment			28
Intangibles			81
Total Assets, excluding Goodwill			188
LIABILITIES
Total current liabilities			-54
Deferred income taxes			-7
Total Liabilities			-61
Additional disclosures
Total Identifiable Net Assets			127
Goodwill			160
Total Purchase Price			287
Vitacost.com, Inc. | Customer relationships
Additional disclosures
Definite-lived intangibles			49
Weighted-average amortizable lives			5 years
Vitacost.com, Inc. | Technology
Additional disclosures
Definite-lived intangibles			26
Weighted-average amortizable lives			10 years
Vitacost.com, Inc. | Trade name
Additional disclosures
Definite-lived intangibles			6
Weighted-average amortizable lives			3 years
Harris Teeter
MERGERS
Percentage of outstanding common stock acquired				100.00%
Purchase price of outstanding common stock acquired				2,436
Decrease in LIFO reserve	52
Purchase price allocation, increase (decrease) to goodwill	9
Purchase price allocation, increase (decrease) to accrued salaries and wages	13
Purchase price allocation, increase (decrease) to current deferred income tax liabilities	4
Purchase price allocation, increase (decrease) to other current liabilities	5
Purchase price allocation, increase (decrease) to long-term deferred income tax liabilities	5
ASSETS
Cash and temporary cash investments				92
Store deposits in-transit				28
Receivables				41
FIFO inventory				426
Prepaid and other current assets				31
Total current assets				618
Property, plant and equipment				1,328
Intangibles				558
Other assets				238
Total Assets, excluding Goodwill				2,742
LIABILITIES
Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations				-7
Trade accounts payable				-202
Accrued salaries and wages				-60
Deferred income taxes				-16
Other current liabilities				-164
Total current liabilities				-449
Fair-value of long-term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations				-252
Deferred income taxes				-280
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations				-98
Other long-term liabilities				-137
Total Liabilities				-1,216
Additional disclosures
Total Identifiable Net Assets				1,526
Goodwill				910
Total Purchase Price				2,436
Harris Teeter | Pharmacy prescription files
Additional disclosures
Definite-lived intangibles				53
Weighted-average amortizable lives				7 years
Harris Teeter | Favorable leasehold interests
Additional disclosures
Definite-lived intangibles				75
Weighted-average amortizable lives				24 years
Harris Teeter | Trade name
Additional disclosures
Indefinite intangibles				$430

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Aug. 18, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Percentage reduction in fair value of reporting units used by the entity for determining potential impairment	10.00%
Intangible assets
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	$854	$801
Accumulated amortization	-97	-99
Amortization expense associated with intangible assets	41	18	13
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	4,667	3,766
Accumulated impairment losses	-2,532	-2,532
Goodwill, beginning balance	2,135	1,234
Acquisitions	169	901
Goodwill, end of year	4,836	4,667	3,766
Accumulated impairment losses	-2,532	-2,532	-2,532
Goodwill, ending balance	2,304	2,135	1,234
Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets for the years subsequent to 2014
2015	47
2016	38
2017	31
2018	28
2019	26
Thereafter	93
Total future estimated amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets	263
Trade name
Intangible assets
Indefinite-lived, Gross carrying amount	430	430
Liquor licenses
Intangible assets
Indefinite-lived, Gross carrying amount	64	54
Favorable leasehold interests
Intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	101	144
Accumulated amortization	-26	-61
Pharmacy prescription files
Intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	98	95
Accumulated amortization	-41	-28
Customer relationships.
Intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	87	38
Accumulated amortization	-17	-4
Other
Intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	74	40
Accumulated amortization	-13	-6
Vitacost.com, Inc.
Intangible assets
Intangibles				81
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill, beginning balance				160
Goodwill, ending balance				160
Harris Teeter
Intangible assets
Intangibles					558
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill, beginning balance					910
Acquisitions	9	901
Goodwill, ending balance					$910

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_N2

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	$34,540	$32,379
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-16,628	-15,486
Property, plant and equipment, net	17,912	16,893
Accumulated depreciation for leased property under capital leases	332	339
Property, plant and equipment collateralized, net book value	260	175
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	2,819	2,639
Buildings and land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	9,639	8,848
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	11,587	11,037
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	8,068	7,644
Construction-in-progress
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	1,690	1,520
Leased property under capital leases and financing obligations
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	$737	$691

TAXES_BASED_ON_INCOME_Details

TAXES BASED ON INCOME (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Federal
Current									$847	$638	$563
Deferred									-15	81	154
Subtotal federal									832	719	717
State and local
Current									59	42	46
Deferred									11	-10	31
Subtotal state and local									70	32	77
Total	274	172	182	184	125	176	274	266	902	751	794
A reconciliation of the statutory federal rate and the effective rate follows:
Statutory rate (as a percent)									35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (as a percent)									1.70%	0.90%	2.20%
Credits (as a percent)									-1.20%	-1.30%	-1.40%
Favorable resolution of issues (as a percent)									-0.40%		-0.50%
Domestic manufacturing deduction (as a percent)									-0.70%	-1.10%	-0.50%
Other changes, net (as a percent)									-0.30%	-0.60%	-0.30%
Total (as a percent)									34.10%	32.90%	34.50%
Current deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	5			4					5	4
Compensation related costs	88			103					88	103
Other	14			15					14	15
Subtotal	107			122					107	122
Valuation allowance	-7			-9					-7	-9
Total current deferred tax assets	100			113					100	113
Current deferred tax liabilities:
Insurance related costs	-99			-96					-99	-96
Inventory related costs	-288			-265					-288	-265
Total current deferred tax liabilities	-387			-361					-387	-361
Current deferred taxes	-287			-248					-287	-248
Long-term deferred tax assets:
Compensation related costs	721			464					721	464
Lease accounting	129			115					129	115
Closed store reserves	50			54					50	54
Insurance related costs	77			66					77	66
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	115			103					115	103
Other	2								2
Subtotal	1,094			802					1,094	802
Valuation allowance	-42			-38					-42	-38
Total long-term deferred tax assets	1,052			764					1,052	764
Long-term deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	-2,261			-2,128					-2,261	-2,128
Other				-17						-17
Total long-term deferred tax liabilities	-2,261			-2,145					-2,261	-2,145
Long-term deferred taxes	-1,209			-1,381					-1,209	-1,381
Federal
Tax Credit Carryforward
Net operating loss carryforwards	54								54
Federal | Capital Loss Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward
Credit carryforwards	25								25
State
Tax Credit Carryforward
Credit carryforwards	48								48
Net operating loss carryforwards	$1,286								$1,286

TAXES_BASED_ON_INCOME_Details_

TAXES BASED ON INCOME (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period	$325	$299	$310
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	17	23	45
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	-6	-10	-9
Additions for tax positions of prior years	9	17	1
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-36	-4	-27
Settlements	-63		-21
Balance at the end of the period	246	325	299
Impact on effective tax rate, if amount of unrecognized tax benefits is recognized	90	98	70
Interest and penalties recognized (recoveries)	3	10	-8
Interest and penalties	$30	$41	$33

DEBT_OBLIGATIONS_Details

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Debt
Total debt		$11,085	$10,780
Less current portion		-1,844	-1,616
Total long-term debt		9,241	9,164
Unsecured revolving credit facility
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity	2,750
Maximum borrowing capacity prior to amended and restated credit agreement	2,000
Additional borrowing capacity	750
Unsecured revolving credit facility | Maximum
Debt
Leverage ratio (as a percent)	3.5
Unsecured revolving credit facility | Minimum
Debt
Fixed charge coverage ratio (as a percent)	1.7
Unsecured revolving credit facility | LIBOR plus a market rate spread, based on the Company's Leverage Ratio
Debt
Debt instrument variable basis rate	LIBOR plus a market rate spread, based on the Company's Leverage Ratio
Unsecured revolving credit facility | Federal Funds Rate
Debt
Debt instrument variable basis rate	Federal Funds Rate
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	0.50%
Unsecured revolving credit facility | Bank of America prime rate
Debt
Debt instrument variable basis rate	Bank of America prime rate
Unsecured revolving credit facility | One-month LIBOR plus 1.0 percent plus a market rate spread based on the Company's Leverage Ratio
Debt
Debt instrument variable basis rate	one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus a market rate spread based on the Company's Leverage Ratio
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	1.00%
Commercial paper due through February 2015
Debt
Total debt		1,275	1,250
Interest rate, minimum range (as a percent)		0.27%	0.27%
Interest rate, maximum range (as a percent)		0.37%	0.37%
Senior notes due through 2043
Debt
Total debt		9,283	9,083
Interest rate, minimum range (as a percent)		0.76%	0.76%
Interest rate, maximum range (as a percent)		8.00%	8.00%
Senior notes 2.95% due 2021
Debt
New issue of senior notes		500
Interest rate (as a percent)		2.95%
Senior notes 4.95%
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.95%
Repayment of debt		300
Senior notes 3.85% due 2023
Debt
New issue of senior notes			600
Interest rate (as a percent)			3.85%
Senior notes 5.15% due 2043
Debt
New issue of senior notes			400
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.15%
Senior notes due in 2016 | Three-month LIBOR
Debt
Debt instrument variable basis rate			3-month London Inter-Bank Offering Rate
Interest rate margin (as a percent)			0.53%
New issue of senior notes			500
Senior notes 1.20% due 2016
Debt
New issue of senior notes			300
Interest rate (as a percent)			1.20%
Senior notes 2.30% due 2019
Debt
New issue of senior notes			500
Interest rate (as a percent)			2.30%
Senior notes 3.30% due 2021
Debt
New issue of senior notes			700
Interest rate (as a percent)			3.30%
Senior notes 4.00% due 2024
Debt
New issue of senior notes			500
Interest rate (as a percent)			4.00%
Senior notes 5.00%
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.00%
Repayment of debt			400
Senior notes 7.50%
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)			7.50%
Repayment of debt			600
Mortgages due in varying amounts through 2027
Debt
Total debt		73	64
Interest rate, minimum range (as a percent)		5.00%	5.00%
Interest rate, maximum range (as a percent)		12.75%	12.75%
Other
Debt
Total debt		$454	$383

DEBT_OBLIGATIONS_Details_2

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
		item
Debt obligations
Total debt	$11,085	$10,780
Line of credit agreement
Number of uncommitted money market lines		2
Money market lines aggregate amount		75
Outstanding letters of credit	233
Reduction in funds available under letter of credit agreement	10
Minimum number of days notice required prior to the date of redemption	5 days
Redemption event	50.00%
Commercial paper due through February 2015
Debt obligations
Total debt	1,275	1,250
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	0.37%	0.27%
Credit Agreement and money market lines
Debt obligations
Total debt	$0	$0

DEBT_OBLIGATIONS_Details_3

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Details 3) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt, as of year-end 2014, and for the years subsequent to 2014
2015	$1,844
2016	1,299
2017	736
2018	1,008
2019	773
Thereafter	5,425
Total debt	$11,085	$10,780

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Feb. 01, 2014		Feb. 02, 2013
	product
Interest Rate Risk Management
Combined average annual limit of aggregate amount of debt subject to interest rate reset and floating rate debt, to reduce interest rate risk	$2,500
Number of leveraged products	0
Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-25	[1]	-12	[1]	13	[1]
Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaps
Interest Rate Risk Management
Fair value of liability derivatives			2
Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps
Interest Rate Risk Management
Fair value of liability derivatives	39
Designated | Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaps
Interest Rate Risk Management
Notional amount	100		100
Number of contracts	2		2
Duration	3 years 11 months 9 days		4 years 11 months 9 days
Average variable rate (as a percent)	5.83%		5.83%
Average fixed rate (as a percent)	6.80%		6.80%
Designated | Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaps | Interest expense.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Gain/(Loss) on Swaps	2		-3
Gain/(Loss) on Borrowings	-2		4
Designated | Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaps | Other long-term liabilities
Interest Rate Risk Management
Fair value of liability derivatives			2
Designated | Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps
Interest Rate Risk Management
Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-49		-25
Designated | Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Interest expense.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	-1		-1
Designated | Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Other long-term liabilities
Interest Rate Risk Management
Fair value of liability derivatives	39
Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	25
Designated | Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Derivatives maturing October 2015
Interest Rate Risk Management
Notional amount	300
Number of contracts	4
Designated | Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Derivatives maturing August 2017
Interest Rate Risk Management
Notional amount	$400
Number of contracts	7
[1]	Amount is net of tax of $(14)B in 2014, $(8) in 2013 and $7 in 2012.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Assets
Cash Collateral	$0	$0
Derivative Liabilities
Cash Collateral	0	0
Cash flow hedges | Forward-starting interest rate swaps
Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amount Recognized	39
Net Amount Presented in the Balance Sheet	39
Net Amount	39
Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaps
Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amount Recognized		2
Net Amount Presented in the Balance Sheet		2
Net Amount		$2

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Asset impairment charge	$37	$39	$18
Carrying Value
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Total debt	11,085	10,780
Long-term investments	133	51
Notes receivable	98	87
Carrying Value | Before impairment
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Long-Lived Assets	59	68
Fair value
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Total	92	79
Total debt	12,378	11,547
Long-term investments	133	51
Notes receivable	98	87
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Total	22	29
Recurring | Fair value
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Trading Securities	47
Available-for-Sale Securities	36	36
Warrants	26	16
Recurring | Fair value | Interest Rate Hedges
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Interest Rate Hedges	-39	-2
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Trading Securities	47
Available-for-Sale Securities	36	36
Total	83	36
Unrealized gains on Available-for-Sale Securities	8	8
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Warrants	26	16
Total	-13	14
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Interest Rate Hedges
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Interest Rate Hedges	-39	-2
Nonrecurring | Fair value
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Long-Lived Assets	22	29
Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair value of financial instruments carried at fair value
Long-Lived Assets	$22	$29

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	($464)	($753)
OCI before reclassifications	-371	226
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI	23	63
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-348	289	91
Balance at the end of the period	-812	-464	-753
OCI before reclassifications, tax	-14	-8	7
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, tax		1	2
Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-25	-14
OCI before reclassifications	-25	-12
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI	1	1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-24	-11
Balance at the end of the period	-49	-25
OCI before reclassifications, tax	-14	-8
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, tax		1
Available for sale Securities
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	12	7
OCI before reclassifications	5	5
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	5	5
Balance at the end of the period	17	12
OCI before reclassifications, tax	3	3
Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-451	-746
OCI before reclassifications	-351	233
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI	22	62
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-329	295
Balance at the end of the period	-780	-451
OCI before reclassifications, tax	-206	137
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, tax	$13	$36

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities	($115)	($114)	($112)	($107)	($108)	($99)	($147)	($129)	($488)	($443)	($462)
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense									42	102	97
Tax expense	-274	-172	-182	-184	-125	-176	-274	-266	-902	-751	-794
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	518	362	347	422	299	317	501	481	1,728	1,519	1,497
Reclassification out of AOCI
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.									23	63
Reclassification out of AOCI | Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities									1	2
Tax expense										-1
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.									1	1
Reclassification out of AOCI | Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense									35	98
Tax expense									-13	-36
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.									$22	$62

LEASES_AND_LEASEFINANCED_TRANS2

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Rent expense under operating leases
Minimum rentals									$795	$706	$727
Contingent payments									16	13	13
Tenant income									-104	-106	-112
Total rent expense	162	162	166	147	138	139	217	189	707	613	628
Capital Leases, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Capital Leases, 2015	63								63
Capital Leases, 2016	60								60
Capital Leases, 2017	58								58
Capital Leases, 2018	49								49
Capital Leases, 2019	45								45
Capital Leases, Thereafter	409								409
Minimum capital lease annual rentals and payments	684								684
Less amount representing interest	231								231
Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases	453								453
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable subleases	219								219
Operating Leases, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Operating Leases, 2015	837								837
Operating Leases, 2016	773								773
Operating Leases, 2017	699								699
Operating Leases, 2018	629								629
Operating Leases, 2019	554								554
Operating Leases, Thereafter	2,877								2,877
Minimum operating lease annual rentals and payments	6,369								6,369
Lease-Financed Transactions, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2015	7								7
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2016	7								7
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2017	8								8
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2018	8								8
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2019	9								9
Lease-Financed Transactions, Thereafter	79								79
Minimum lease-financed transactions annual rentals and payments	$118								$118
Minimum
Leases and lease-financed transactions
Lease term									10 years
Sublease term									1 year
Maximum
Leases and lease-financed transactions
Lease term									20 years
Sublease term									20 years

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Deta

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share									$1,711	$1,507	$1,485
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	486	486	485	511	515	515	501	514	490	514	533
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$1.06	$0.74	$0.71	$0.82	$0.58	$0.61	$0.99	$0.93	$3.49	$2.93	$2.78
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)									7	6	4
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share									1,711	1,507	1,485
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	493	492	491	517	521	521	507	520	497	520	537
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$1.04	$0.73	$0.70	$0.81	$0.57	$0.60	$0.98	$0.92	$3.44	$2.90	$2.77
Undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities									$17	$12	$12
Shares excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share									2.3	2.3	12.2

STOCK_OPTION_PLANS_Details

STOCK OPTION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
STOCK OPTION PLANS
Frequency of equity grants made	at one of four meetings of its Board of Directors
Stock options
Stock Options Plans
Stock options, expiration period from date of grant	10 years
Common stock available for future grants (in shares)	22
Ratio at which shares available for stock options can be converted into shares available for restricted stock awards	4
Shares subject to option
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	21.7	26.5	31
Granted (in shares)	4.2	4.2	4.1
Exercised (in shares)	-5.2	-8.8	-6.7
Canceled or Expired (in shares)	-0.3	-0.2	-1.9
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	20.4	21.7	26.5
Weighted-average exercise price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$25.66	$22.61	$21.80
Granted (in dollars per share)	$49.42	$37.68	$22.04
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$23.13	$22.22	$18.35
Canceled or Expired (in dollars per share)	$31.05	$25.47	$23.28
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$31.13	$25.66	$22.61
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted in period (in dollars per share)	$11.96	$8.98	$4.39
Weighted average assumptions for grants awarded to option holders
Weighted average expected volatility	25.29%	26.34%	26.49%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	2.06%	1.87%	0.97%
Expected dividend yield	1.51%	1.82%	2.49%
Expected term (based on historical results)	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years 9 months 18 days	6 years 10 months 24 days
Stock options | Minimum
Stock Options Plans
Vesting period from date of grant	1 year
Stock options | Maximum
Stock Options Plans
Vesting period from date of grant	5 years
Restricted stock
Stock Options Plans
Common stock available for future grants (in shares)	12
Restricted shares outstanding
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	4.8	4.3	4.2
Granted (in shares)	3.1	3.2	2.6
Lapsed (in shares)	-2.6	-2.5	-2.4
Canceled or Expired (in shares)	-0.2	-0.1	-0.1
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	5.1	4.8	4.3
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$32.31	$22.67	$23.92
Granted (in dollars per share)	$49.51	$37.69	$22.23
Lapsed (in dollars per share)	$33.05	$22.97	$24.34
Canceled or Expired (in dollars per share)	$37.33	$27.31	$23.28
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$42.08	$32.31	$22.67
Restricted stock | Minimum
Stock Options Plans
Vesting period from date of grant	1 year
Restricted stock | Maximum
Stock Options Plans
Vesting period from date of grant	5 years

STOCK_OPTION_PLANS_Details_2

STOCK OPTION PLANS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Options outstanding and exercisable
Share-based employee compensation	$155	$107	$82
Stock option compensation	32	24	22
Restricted shares compensation	123	83	60
Intrinsic value of options exercised	142	115	44
Cash received from the exercise of options	110
Compensation expenses related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements	205
Weighted-average period for recognition of expenses related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements	2 years
Total fair value of options vested	26	20	23
Common stock repurchase from proceeds of stock option exercises (in shares)	3
Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Weighted-average remaining contractual life for options exercisable	4 years 8 months 12 days
Intrinsic value of options outstanding	775
Intrinsic value of options exercisable	$500
Range of exercise prices from $15.92- $61.89 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	20.4
Weighted average remaining contractual life	6 years 4 months 28 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$31.13
Options exercisable (in shares)	11.3
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$24.92
$15.92 - $21.95 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	3.2
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 5 months 19 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$19.53
Options exercisable (in shares)	3
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$19.46
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$15.92
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$21.95
$21.96 - $22.60 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	4.2
Weighted average remaining contractual life	6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$22.09
Options exercisable (in shares)	2.7
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$22.16
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$21.96
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$22.60
$22.61 - $28.26 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	2.6
Weighted average remaining contractual life	6 years 1 month 24 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$24.77
Options exercisable (in shares)	1.8
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$24.79
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$22.61
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$28.26
$28.27 - $37.75 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	2.8
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 15 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$28.52
Options exercisable (in shares)	2.7
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$28.47
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$28.27
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$37.75
$37.76 - $49.32 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	3.5
Weighted average remaining contractual life	8 years 5 months 16 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$37.96
Options exercisable (in shares)	1.1
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$37.82
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$37.76
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$49.32
$49.33 - $61.89 | Stock options
Options outstanding and exercisable
Number outstanding (in shares)	4.1
Weighted average remaining contractual life	9 years 5 months 16 days
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$49.55
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$49.33
Exercise price, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$49.33
Exercise price, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$61.89

STOCK_Details

STOCK (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	20-May-99
Preferred Shares
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares available for issuance	2,000,000
Preferred shares, per share (in dollars per share)	$100	$100
Common Shares
Common shares, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common shares, par per share (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, amendment in authorized shares				2,000,000,000
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Open market purchases under repurchase programs	$1,129	$338	$1,165
Common stock repurchased from stock option proceeds	$154	$271	$96

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS2

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Amounts recognized in AOCI (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$1,309	$746
Prior service cost (credit)	-74	-33
Total	1,235	713
Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	93
Prior service cost (credit)	-11
Total	82
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax):
Incurred net actuarial loss (gain)	604	-340	-27
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	7	4	4
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	-42	-102	-97
Other	-47	-30
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	522	-468	-120
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	586	-366	-3
Pension Benefits
Amounts recognized in AOCI (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	1,398	857
Prior service cost (credit)	1	2
Total	1,399	859
Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	99
Total	99
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax):
Incurred net actuarial loss (gain)	590	-243	-33
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	-50	-102	-97
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	540	-345	-130
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	595	-271	-41
Other Benefits
Amounts recognized in AOCI (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	-89	-111
Prior service cost (credit)	-75	-35
Total	-164	-146
Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	-6
Prior service cost (credit)	-11
Total	-17
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax):
Incurred net actuarial loss (gain)	14	-97	6
Amortization of prior service credit (cost)	7	4	4
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	8
Other	-47	-30
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	-18	-123	10
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	($9)	($95)	$38

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS3

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Change in plan assets:
Other current liabilities	$28	$30
Qualified Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligations at beginning of fiscal year	3,509	3,443
Service cost	48	40	44
Interest cost	169	144	146
Actuarial (gain) loss	539	-308
Benefits paid	-163	-136
Assumption of Harris Teeter benefit obligation		326
Benefit obligations at end of fiscal year	4,102	3,509	3,443
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	3,135	2,746
Actual return on plan assets	217	139
Employer contributions		100
Benefits paid	-163	-136
Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		286
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	3,189	3,135	2,746
Funded status at end of fiscal year	-912	-374
Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year	-912	-374
Non-Qualified Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligations at beginning of fiscal year	263	221
Service cost	3	3	3
Interest cost	13	9	9
Actuarial (gain) loss	40	-20
Benefits paid	-15	-10
Assumption of Harris Teeter benefit obligation		60
Benefit obligations at end of fiscal year	304	263	221
Change in plan assets:
Employer contributions	15	10
Benefits paid	-15	-10
Funded status at end of fiscal year	-304	-263
Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year	-304	-263
Other Benefits
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligations at beginning of fiscal year	294	402
Service cost	11	17	16
Interest cost	13	15	16
Plan participants' contributions	11	10
Actuarial (gain) loss	14	-97
Benefits paid	-21	-25
Other	-47	-30
Assumption of Harris Teeter benefit obligation		2
Benefit obligations at end of fiscal year	275	294	402
Change in plan assets:
Employer contributions	10	15
Plan participants' contributions	11	10
Benefits paid	-21	-25
Funded status at end of fiscal year	-275	-294
Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year	($275)	($294)

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS4

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefits and other benefits
The number of years in which the Company average annual return rate has been at the current rate	20 years
Average annual rate of return for the past 20 years (as a percent)	9.58%
Period of recognition of gains or losses on plan assets	5 years
Pension Benefits
Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefits and other benefits
Discount rate - Benefit obligation (as a percent)	3.87%	4.99%	4.29%
Discount rate - Net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)	4.99%	4.29%	4.55%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.44%	8.50%	8.50%
Rate of compensation increase - Net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)	2.86%	2.77%	2.82%
Rate of compensation increase - Benefit obligation (as a percent)	2.85%	2.86%	2.77%
Increase in discount rate used to determine pension benefit obligation, as compared to prior year (in basis points)	100
Decrease in pension benefit obligation due to change in discount rate	$500
Pension plan's average rate of return for the 10 calendar years ended December 31, net of all investment management fees and expenses (as a percent)	7.58%
The measurement period for the pension plan's average annual rate of return, rate in calendar years	10 years
Percentage increase in value of all investments in Qualified Plans, net of investment management fees and expenses	5.65%
Other Benefits
Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefits and other benefits
Discount rate - Benefit obligation (as a percent)	3.74%	4.68%	4.11%
Discount rate - Net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)	4.68%	4.11%	4.40%

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS5

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS
Expected contribution to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts	$180
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Initial health care cost trend rate (as a percent)	7.00%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (as a percent)	4.50%
One-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates
Effect of a one-percentage-point increase to total of service and interest cost components	3
Effect of a one-percentage-point decrease to total of service and interest cost components	-3
Effect of a one-percentage-point increase to post-retirement benefit obligation	30
Effect of a one-percentage-point decrease to post-retirement benefit obligation	-26
Forecast
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Expected expense in 2015	90
Pension Benefits
Estimated future benefit payments
2015	205
2016	203
2017	211
2018	221
2019	229
2020-2024	1,268
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	100.00%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Pension Benefits | Global equity securities
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	14.60%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	13.40%	15.00%
Pension Benefits | Emerging market equity securities
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	5.60%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	5.80%	6.20%
Pension Benefits | Investment grade debt securities
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	11.60%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	11.20%	10.40%
Pension Benefits | High yield debt securities
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	12.70%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	12.50%	12.50%
Pension Benefits | Private Equity
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	5.40%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	6.60%	7.70%
Pension Benefits | Hedge Funds
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	36.50%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	37.50%	34.20%
Pension Benefits | Real Estate
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	3.30%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	3.50%	3.30%
Pension Benefits | Other
Target and actual pension plan asset allocations
Target allocations (as a percent)	10.30%
Total actual allocations (as a percent)	9.50%	10.70%
Qualified Plans
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	48	40	44
Interest cost	169	144	146
Expected return on plan assets	-228	-224	-210
Amortization of:
Actuarial loss	46	93	88
Net periodic benefit cost	35	53	68
Projected benefit obligation ("PBO"), accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO") and the fair value of plan assets for all Company-sponsored pension plans:
PBO at end of fiscal year	4,102	3,509	3,443
ABO at end of fiscal year	3,947	3,360
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	3,189	3,135	2,746
Non-Qualified Plans
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	3	3	3
Interest cost	13	9	9
Amortization of:
Actuarial loss	4	9	9
Net periodic benefit cost	20	21	21
Projected benefit obligation ("PBO"), accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO") and the fair value of plan assets for all Company-sponsored pension plans:
PBO at end of fiscal year	304	263	221
ABO at end of fiscal year	297	256
Other Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	11	17	16
Interest cost	13	15	16
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	-7	-4	-4
Actuarial loss	-8
Net periodic benefit cost	9	28	28
Projected benefit obligation ("PBO"), accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO") and the fair value of plan assets for all Company-sponsored pension plans:
PBO at end of fiscal year	275	294	402
Estimated future benefit payments
2015	14
2016	15
2017	16
2018	18
2019	19
2020-2024	$110

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS6

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details 5) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair value
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	$3,189	$3,135
Fair value | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	73	26
Fair value | Corporate Stocks
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	294	326
Fair value | Corporate Bonds
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	80	94
Fair value | U.S. Government Securities
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	78	60
Fair value | Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	666	761
Fair value | Partnerships/Joint Ventures
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	468	317
Fair value | Hedge Funds
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	1,158	1,073
Fair value | Private Equity
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	210	243
Fair value | Real Estate
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	105	96
Fair value | Other
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	57	139
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	490	655
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	73	26
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Corporate Stocks
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	294	326
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	123	303
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	1,186	1,029
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate Bonds
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	80	94
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. Government Securities
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	78	60
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	503	419
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Partnerships/Joint Ventures
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	468	317
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	57	139
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	1,513	1,451
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	40	39
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Hedge Funds
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	1,158	1,073	739
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Private Equity
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	210	243	180
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Real Estate
Defined benefit plan, disclosure
Fair value of plan assets	$105	$96	$91

COMPANYSPONSORED_BENEFIT_PLANS7

COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
COMPANY-SPONSORED BENEFIT PLANS
Contribution to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts	$177	$148	$140
Cost of other defined contribution plans	5	5	7
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	1,513	1,451
Hedge Funds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	1,073	739
Contributions into Fund	220	297
Realized gains	47	7
Unrealized gains	18	71
Distributions	-257	-88
Reclass	58
Other	-1
Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		47
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	1,158	1,073
Private Equity | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	243	180
Contributions into Fund	47	74
Realized gains	35	12
Unrealized gains	-1	17
Distributions	-54	-47
Reclass	-58
Other	-2	7
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	210	243
Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	96	91
Contributions into Fund	17	22
Realized gains	14	11
Unrealized gains	4
Distributions	-25	-27
Other	-1	-1
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	105	96
Collective Trusts | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year	39
Realized gains	1
Assumption of Harris Teeter plan assets		39
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year	$40	$39

MULTIEMPLOYER_PENSION_PLANS_De

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2013	24-May-14
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	$1,200	$1,100	$1,100
Red zone | Maximum
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Percentage of funded status	65.00%
Yellow zone | Maximum
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Percentage of funded status	80.00%
Green zone | Minimum
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Percentage of funded status	80.00%
Multi-employer Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	297	228	492
Multi-employer Pension Plan | SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	48	45	43
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	2
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	21	23	22
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	1
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	15	13	12
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	2
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	17	17	17
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	1
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	7	7	7
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	3
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	11	12	10
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	4
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	1	3	3
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	9	8	8
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	2
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	8	8	8
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	1
Multi-employer Pension Plan | United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union - Industry Pension Fund
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	33	33	33
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	2
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	30	31	30
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	5
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	15	15	12
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	2
Multi-employer Pension Plan | UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Charge (after-tax) related to pension plan agreements						56
Additional contributions	75			75
Period of additional contribution	4 years
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	70		275	15	258
Minimum percentage of total contributions received by pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Most significant collective bargaining agreements count	8
Multi-employer Pension Plan | Other
MULTI-EMPLOYER PLANS
Employer contribution to multi-employer plans	$12	$13	$12

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED_Detai

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 08, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	24-May-14	25-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Length of Quarter	84 days	84 days	84 days	84 days	84 days	84 days	112 days	112 days	364 days	364 days
Sales	$25,207	$24,987	$25,310	$23,222	$22,470	$22,686	$32,961	$29,997	$108,465	$98,375	$96,619
Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	19,547	19,764	20,136	18,397	17,866	18,059	26,065	23,817	85,512	78,138	76,726
Operating, general and administrative	4,119	3,954	3,920	3,558	3,537	3,506	5,168	4,593	17,161	15,196	14,849
Rent	162	162	166	147	138	139	217	189	707	613	628
Depreciation and amortization	467	456	444	402	395	387	581	519	1,948	1,703	1,652
Operating profit	912	651	644	718	534	595	930	879	3,137	2,725	2,764
Interest expense	115	114	112	107	108	99	147	129	488	443	462
Earnings before income tax expense	797	537	532	611	426	496	783	750	2,649	2,282	2,302
Income tax expense	274	172	182	184	125	176	274	266	902	751	794
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	523	365	350	427	301	320	509	484	1,747	1,531	1,508
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	3	3	5	2	3	8	3	19	12	11
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	518	362	347	422	299	317	501	481	1,728	1,519	1,497
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$1.06	$0.74	$0.71	$0.82	$0.58	$0.61	$0.99	$0.93	$3.49	$2.93	$2.78
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	486	486	485	511	515	515	501	514	490	514	533
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$1.04	$0.73	$0.70	$0.81	$0.57	$0.60	$0.98	$0.92	$3.44	$2.90	$2.77
Average number of shares used in diluted calculation	493	492	491	517	521	521	507	520	497	520	537
Dividends declared per common share	$0.19	$0.19	$0.17	$0.17	$0.17	$0.15	$0.17	$0.15	$0.70	$0.63	$0.53
OG&A expenses due to contributions to the company's charitable foundation	60	25
Income tax benefit due to certain tax items		17		21	19
Harris Teeter
Operating, general and administrative				12	2	2
Interest expense				6	2	3
UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan
Operating, general and administrative	55
Pension Benefits
Operating, general and administrative							$87