The Kroger Co. (KR) 10-Q 17 Dec 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Dec. 11, 2019
Document and Entity Information Abstract
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 9, 2019
Entity File Number	1-303
Entity Registrant Name	The Kroger Co.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-0345740
Entity Address, Address Line One	1014 Vine Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Cincinnati
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45202
City Area Code	513
Local Phone Number	762-4000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common, $1.00 Par Value
Trading Symbol	KR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		800,587,313
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000056873
Amendment Flag	false

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Sales	$ 27,974	$ 27,831	$ 93,393	$ 93,566
Operating expenses
Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	21,798	21,753	72,787	73,147
Operating, general and administrative	5,097	4,661	16,223	15,630
Rent	201		675
Rent		200		680
Depreciation and amortization	624	570	1,994	1,884
Operating profit	254	647	1,714	2,225
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(137)	(142)	(463)	(479)
Non-service component of company-sponsored pension plan costs	(1)	(6)	(2)	(19)
Mark to market gain (loss) on Ocado securities	106	(100)	166	152
Gain on sale of businesses			176	1,782
Net earnings before income tax expense	222	399	1,591	3,661
Income tax expense	79	91	398	834
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	143	308	1,193	2,827
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(120)	(9)	(139)	(24)
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$ 263	$ 317	$ 1,332	$ 2,851
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 1.65	$ 3.46
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	802	797	800	814
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 1.64	$ 3.43
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	807	807	805	822

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests		$ 143	$ 308	$ 1,193	$ 2,827
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Realized gains on available for sale securities, net of income tax	[1]				(4)
Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, net of income tax	[2]	7	10	23	33
Unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax	[3]	34	37	(29)	37
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax	[4]	1	1	3	3
Cumulative effect of accounting change	[5]			(146)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		42	48	(149)	69
Comprehensive income		185	356	1,044	2,896
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(120)	(9)	(139)	(24)
Comprehensive income attributable to The Kroger Co.		$ 305	$ 365	$ 1,183	$ 2,920
[1]	Amount is net of tax of ($1) for the first three quarters of 2018.
[2]	Amount is net of tax of $3 for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018. Amount is net of tax of $8 for the first three quarters of 2019 and $10 for the first three quarters of 2018.
[3]	Amount is net of tax of $10 for the third quarter of 2019 and $11 for the third quarter of 2018. Amount is net of tax of ($16) for the first three quarters of 2019 and $10 for the first three quarters of 2018.
[4]	Amount is net of tax of $1 for the third quarter of 2019 and $1 for the third quarter of 2018. Amount is net of tax of $3 for the first three quarters of 2019 and $3 for the first three quarters of 2018.
[5]	Related to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," (see Note 5 for additional details)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Realized gains and losses on available for sale securities, income tax				$ (1)
Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, income tax	$ 3	$ 3	$ 8	10
Unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, income tax	10	11	(16)	10
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, income tax	$ 1	$ 1	$ 3	$ 3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 09, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019
Current assets
Cash and temporary cash investments	$ 545	$ 429
Store deposits in-transit	1,034	1,181
Receivables	1,600	1,589
FIFO inventory	8,757	8,123
LIFO reserve	(1,345)	(1,277)
Assets held for sale		166
Prepaid and other current assets	434	592
Total current assets	11,025	10,803
Property, plant and equipment, net	21,801	21,635
Operating lease assets	6,847
Intangibles, net	1,086	1,258
Goodwill	3,076	3,087
Other assets	1,558	1,335
Total Assets	45,393	38,118
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under finance leases	1,417
Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under finance leases		3,157
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	673
Trade accounts payable	6,867	6,059
Accrued salaries and wages	1,087	1,227
Liabilities held for sale		51
Other current liabilities	4,074	3,780
Total current liabilities	14,118	14,274
Long-term debt including obligations under finance leases	12,227
Long-term debt including obligations under finance leases		12,072
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	6,449
Deferred income taxes	1,517	1,562
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	471	494
Other long-term liabilities	1,883	1,881
Total Liabilities	36,665	30,283
Commitments and contingencies see Note 8
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred shares, $100 par per share, 5 shares authorized and unissued
Common shares, $1 par per share, 2,000 shares authorized; 1,918 shares issued in 2019 and 2018	1,918	1,918
Additional paid-in capital	3,296	3,245
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(495)	(346)
Accumulated earnings	20,781	19,681
Common shares in treasury, at cost, 1,116 shares in 2019 and 1,120 shares in 2018	(16,585)	(16,612)
Total Shareholders' Equity - The Kroger Co.	8,915	7,886
Noncontrolling interests	(187)	(51)
Total Equity	8,728	7,835
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 45,393	$ 38,118

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Nov. 09, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019
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	2,000	2,000
Common shares, shares issued	1,918	1,918
Common shares in treasury, shares	1,116	1,120

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	$ 1,193	$ 2,827
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,994	1,884
Non-cash operating lease cost	494
LIFO charge	69	39
Stock-based employee compensation	117	115
Expense for company-sponsored pension plans	32	54
Deferred income taxes	(46)	148
Gain on sale of businesses	(176)	(1,782)
Gain on the sale of assets	(150)
Mark to market gain on Ocado securities	(166)	(152)
Impairment of Lucky's Market	238
Other	(1)	29
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from mergers and disposals of businesses:
Store deposits in-transit	148	63
Receivables	93	(95)
Inventories	(636)	(601)
Prepaid and other current assets	66	380
Trade accounts payable	808	666
Accrued expenses	299	270
Income taxes receivable and payable	(145)	259
Contribution to company-sponsored pension plan		(185)
Operating lease liabilities	(477)
Proceeds from contract associated with sale of business	295
Other	(1)	(186)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,048	3,733
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts	(2,363)	(2,257)
Proceeds from sale of assets	257	76
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(197)
Purchases of stores		(44)
Net proceeds from sale of businesses	327	2,169
Purchases of Ocado securities		(392)
Other	(45)	15
Net cash used by investing activities	(1,824)	(630)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	61	1,033
Payments on long-term debt including obligations under finance leases	(1,540)	(258)
Net payments on commercial paper	(235)	(1,486)
Dividends paid	(356)	(324)
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock	32	55
Treasury stock purchases	(34)	(1,996)
Other	(36)	(45)
Net cash used by financing activities	(2,108)	(3,021)
Net increase in cash and temporary cash investments	116	82
Cash and temporary cash investments:
Beginning of year	429	347
End of period	545	429
Reconciliation of capital investments:
Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts	(2,363)	(2,257)
Payments for lease buyouts	24
Changes in construction-in-progress payables	96	(49)
Total capital investments, excluding lease buyouts	(2,243)	(2,306)
Disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for interest	407	424
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$ 633	$ 376

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balances at Feb. 03, 2018	$ 1,918	$ 3,161	$ (14,684)	$ (471)	$ 17,007	$ (26)	$ 6,905
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 03, 2018	1,918		1,048
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 10				10
Stock options exercised (in shares)			(1)
Restricted stock issued		(6)	$ 5				(1)
Treasury stock activity:
Treasury stock purchases, at cost		(134)	$ (1,792)				(1,926)
Treasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares)			74
Stock options exchanged			$ (17)				(17)
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			1
Share-based employee compensation		45					45
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				16			16
Other		(7)	$ 2			5
Cash dividends declared per common share					(109)		(109)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					2,026	(8)	2,018
Balances at May. 26, 2018	$ 1,918	3,059	$ (16,476)	(455)	18,924	(29)	6,941
Balances (in shares) at May. 26, 2018	1,918		1,122
Balances at Feb. 03, 2018	$ 1,918	3,161	$ (14,684)	(471)	17,007	(26)	6,905
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 03, 2018	1,918		1,048
Treasury stock activity:
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				69			69
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests							2,827
Balances at Nov. 10, 2018	$ 1,918	3,209	$ (16,608)	(402)	19,535	(42)	7,610
Balances (in shares) at Nov. 10, 2018	1,918		1,120
Balances at May. 26, 2018	$ 1,918	3,059	$ (16,476)	(455)	18,924	(29)	6,941
Balances (in shares) at May. 26, 2018	1,918		1,122
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 30				30
Stock options exercised (in shares)			(2)
Restricted stock issued		(104)	$ 64				(40)
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			(2)
Treasury stock activity:
Treasury stock purchases, at cost		134	$ (135)				(1)
Treasury stock purchases, at cost (in shares)			2
Stock options exchanged			$ (35)				(35)
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			1
Share-based employee compensation		36					36
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				5			5
Other		55	$ (53)				2
Cash dividends declared per common share					(101)		(101)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					508	(7)	501
Balances at Aug. 18, 2018	$ 1,918	3,180	$ (16,605)	(450)	19,331	(36)	7,338
Balances (in shares) at Aug. 18, 2018	1,918		1,121
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 15				15
Stock options exercised (in shares)			(1)
Restricted stock issued		(4)	$ 3				(1)
Treasury stock activity:
Stock options exchanged			(17)				(17)
Share-based employee compensation		34					34
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				48			48
Other		(1)	(4)			3	(2)
Cash dividends declared per common share					(113)		(113)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					317	(9)	308
Balances at Nov. 10, 2018	$ 1,918	3,209	$ (16,608)	(402)	19,535	(42)	7,610
Balances (in shares) at Nov. 10, 2018	1,918		1,120
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 10				10
Restricted stock issued		(5)	$ 2				(3)
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			(1)
Treasury stock activity:
Stock options exchanged			$ (14)				(14)
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			1
Share-based employee compensation		39					39
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				56			56
Other		2	$ (2)			(1)	(1)
Cash dividends declared per common share					(113)		(113)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					259	(8)	251
Balances at Feb. 02, 2019	$ 1,918	3,245	$ (16,612)	(346)	19,681	(51)	7,835
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 02, 2019	1,918		1,120
Treasury stock activity:
Cumulative effect of accounting change					146		146
Stock options exercised			$ 12				12
Stock options exercised (in shares)			(1)
Restricted stock issued		(14)	$ 10				(4)
Stock options exchanged			(15)				(15)
Share-based employee compensation		48					48
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				(146)			(146)
Other		8	(8)		(5)	11	6
Cash dividends declared per common share					(113)		(113)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					772	(9)	763
Balances at May. 25, 2019	$ 1,918	3,287	$ (16,613)	(492)	20,481	(49)	8,532
Balances (in shares) at May. 25, 2019	1,918		1,119
Balances at Feb. 02, 2019	$ 1,918	3,245	$ (16,612)	(346)	19,681	(51)	7,835
Balances (in shares) at Feb. 02, 2019	1,918		1,120
Treasury stock activity:
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				(149)			(149)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests							1,193
Balances at Nov. 09, 2019	$ 1,918	3,296	$ (16,585)	(495)	20,781	(187)	8,728
Balances (in shares) at Nov. 09, 2019	1,918		1,116
Balances at May. 25, 2019	$ 1,918	3,287	$ (16,613)	(492)	20,481	(49)	8,532
Balances (in shares) at May. 25, 2019	1,918		1,119
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 6				6
Stock options exercised (in shares)			(1)
Restricted stock issued		(109)	$ 79				(30)
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			(2)
Treasury stock activity:
Stock options exchanged			$ (8)				(8)
Share-based employee compensation		41					41
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				(45)			(45)
Other		51	(51)			1	1
Cash dividends declared per common share					(131)		(131)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					297	(10)	287
Balances at Aug. 17, 2019	$ 1,918	3,270	$ (16,587)	(537)	20,647	(58)	8,653
Balances (in shares) at Aug. 17, 2019	1,918		1,116
Issuance of common stock:
Stock options exercised			$ 14				14
Restricted stock issued		(3)	$ 1				(2)
Restricted stock issued (in shares)			(1)
Treasury stock activity:
Stock options exchanged			$ (11)				(11)
Stock options exchanged (in shares)			1
Share-based employee compensation		28					28
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income tax				42			42
Other		1	$ (2)			(9)	(10)
Cash dividends declared per common share					(129)		(129)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interests					263	(120)	143
Balances at Nov. 09, 2019	$ 1,918	$ 3,296	$ (16,585)	$ (495)	$ 20,781	$ (187)	$ 8,728
Balances (in shares) at Nov. 09, 2019	1,918		1,116

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CH_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended					4 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Aug. 17, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Aug. 18, 2018	May 25, 2019	May 26, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
Other comprehensive gain (loss), income tax expense (benefit)	$ 14	$ (14)	$ 17	$ 15	$ 2	$ (5)	$ 5
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.14	$ 0.14	$ 0.14	$ 0.125

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES ​ Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation ​ The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of The Kroger Co., its wholly-owned subsidiaries and other consolidated entities. The February 2, 2019 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements and, due to its summary nature, does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. References to the “Company” in these Consolidated Financial Statements mean the consolidated company. ​ In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include adjustments, all of which are of a normal, recurring nature that are necessary for a fair statement of results of operations for such periods but should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. The financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted, pursuant to SEC regulations. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019. ​ The unaudited information in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the third quarters and three quarters ended November 9, 2019 and November 10, 2018, includes the results of operations of the Company for the 12 and 40-week periods then ended. ​ Products and services related primarily to Kroger Personal Finance and Media, which were historically accounted for as an offset to operating, general and administrative expenses (“OG&A”), are classified as a component of sales as of the beginning of fiscal year 2019, except for certain amounts in Media, which are netted against merchandise costs. These prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current-year presentation. ​ Refer to Note 5 for a description of changes to the Consolidated Balance Sheet for recently adopted accounting standards regarding the recognition of lease agreements and reclassification of stranded tax effects. ​ In the third quarter of 2019, the Company recorded an out of period adjustment that decreased sales by $29 with a corresponding increase to other current liabilities related to a provision in a pharmacy contract that should have been recognized over the previous six quarters. The Company evaluated the impact of the adjustment and concluded it is not material, individually and in the aggregate, to the current or any prior period financial statements. ​ Fair Value Measurements ​ Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: ​ 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. ​ The Company records 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 at approximated fair value. Certain other investments and derivatives are recorded as Level 1, 2 or 3 instruments. Refer to Note 2 for the disclosure of debt instrument fair values. ​

DEBT OBLIGATIONS

DEBT OBLIGATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEBT OBLIGATIONS	2. DEBT OBLIGATIONS ​ Long-term debt consists of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, ​ February 2, ​ 2019 2019 1.50% to 8.00% Senior Notes due through 2048 ​ $ 11,606 ​ $ 12,097 5.63% to 12.75% Mortgages due through 2027 ​ 12 ​ 14 1.83% to 2.63% Commercial paper borrowings ​ 565 ​ 800 3.37% Term Loan ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,000 Other ​ 495 ​ 440 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total debt, excluding obligations under finance leases ​ 12,678 ​ 14,351 Less current portion ​ (1,367) ​ (3,103) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total long-term debt, excluding obligations under finance leases ​ $ 11,311 ​ $ 11,248 ​ ​ 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 November 9, 2019 and February 2, 2019. At November 9, 2019, the fair value of total debt was $13,540 compared to a carrying value of $ . At February 2, 2019, the fair value of total debt was $14,190 compared to a carrying value of $14,351 . ​ During the first three quarters of 2019, the Company repaid a $1,000 term loan bearing an interest rate of 3.37 %. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2019, the Company repaid, upon maturity, $500 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 1.5%, with proceeds from commercial paper borrowings. ​ In anticipation of future debt refinancing, the Company, in the first three quarters of 2019, entered into six forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with a maturity date of January 2021 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $300 and one forward-starting interest rate swap agreement with a maturity date of January 2020 with a notional amount of $50 . As of the end of the third quarter of 2019, the Company had a total of $600 notional amount of forward-starting interest rate swaps outstanding. The forward-starting interest rate swaps entered into in the first three quarters of 2019 were designated as cash-flow hedges.

BENEFIT PLANS

BENEFIT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
BENEFIT PLANS
BENEFIT PLANS	3. BENEFIT PLANS ​ The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans for the third quarters of 2019 and 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ ​ Pension Benefits ​ Other Benefits ​ ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ 2019 2018 2019 2018 Components of net periodic benefit cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Service cost $ 6 $ 8 $ 2 $ 2 Interest cost ​ 32 ​ 31 ​ 2 ​ 2 Expected return on plan assets ​ (43) ​ (40) ​ — ​ — Amortization of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prior service cost ​ — ​ — ​ (3) ​ (3) Actuarial loss (gain) ​ 16 ​ 18 ​ (3) ​ (2) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net periodic benefit cost $ 11 $ 17 $ (2) $ (1) ​ The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans for the first three quarters of 2019 and 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ Pension Benefits ​ Other Benefits ​ ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ 2019 2018 2019 2018 Components of net periodic benefit cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Service cost $ 24 $ 29 $ 6 $ 6 Interest cost ​ 105 ​ 104 ​ 6 ​ 6 Expected return on plan assets ​ (140) ​ (134) ​ — ​ — Amortization of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prior service cost ​ — ​ — ​ (8) ​ (9) Actuarial loss (gain) ​ 47 ​ 59 ​ (8) ​ (7) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net periodic benefit cost $ 36 $ 58 $ (4) $ (4) ​ The Company is not required to make any contributions to its company-sponsored pension plans in 2019, but may make contributions to the extent such contributions are beneficial to the Company. The Company did not make any contributions to its company-sponsored pension plans in the first three quarters of 2019. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company contributed $185, $117 net of tax, to the company-sponsored pension plan. ​ The Company contributed $209 and $204 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts in the first three quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. ​ The Company also contributes to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising from most of its collective bargaining agreements. These plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The Company recognizes expense in connection with these plans as contributions are funded. ​ During the first three quarters of 2019, the Company incurred charges totaling $131, $101 net of tax, due to obligations related to withdrawal liabilities for certain multi-employer pension funds. This included charges in the third quarter of 2019, totaling net of tax, due to obligations related to withdrawal liabilities for certain multi-employer pension funds. The charges were recorded in the OG&A caption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. ​ Additionally, during the first three quarters of 2019, the Company sold an unused warehouse. The gain on the sale was used to contribute a similar amount into the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan. ​ During the third quarter of 2019 , the Company approved and implemented a plan to reorganize certain portions of its division management structure. This reorganization is expected to increase operational effectiveness and reduce overhead costs while maintaining a high quality customer experience. The Company recorded a charge for severance and related benefits of $80 , $61 net of tax, in the third quarter of 2019, which is included in the OG&A caption within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Of the total charge, $63 remains unpaid as of November 9, 2019 and is included in Other Current Liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. ​

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ​ Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share equal 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 equal 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: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 ​ November 10, 2018 ​ ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share ​ $ 260 802 ​ $ 0.32 ​ $ 313 797 ​ $ 0.39 Dilutive effect of stock options ​ ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share ​ $ 260 807 ​ $ 0.32 ​ $ 313 807 ​ $ 0.39 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 ​ November 10, 2018 ​ ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share ​ $ 1,317 800 ​ $ 1.65 ​ $ 2,820 814 ​ $ 3.46 Dilutive effect of stock options ​ ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 8 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share ​ $ 1,317 805 ​ $ 1.64 ​ $ 2,820 822 ​ $ 3.43 ​ The Company had combined undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities totaling $3 and $4 in the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the first three quarters of 2019 and 2018, the Company had combined undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities of ​ The Company had options outstanding for approximately 18 million and 11 million shares during the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively, that 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 share.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STA

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	5. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ​ On February 3, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which provides guidance for the recognition of lease agreements. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach, which provides a method for recording existing leases at adoption that approximates the results of a full retrospective approach. In addition, the Company elected the transition package ​ The adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $6,800 and $7,000, respectively, as of February 3, 2019. Included in the measurement of the new lease assets is the reclassification of certain balances including those historically recorded as prepaid or deferred rent and favorable and unfavorable leasehold interests. Several other asset and liability line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were also impacted by immaterial amounts . ​ In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." This amendment allows companies to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 on February 3, 2019, which resulted in a decrease to AOCI and an increase to accumulated earnings of $146, primarily related to deferred taxes previously recorded for pension and other postretirement benefits and cash flow hedges. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows. ​

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STAN

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	6. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ​ In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” Under the new standard, implementation costs related to a cloud computing arrangement will be deferred or expensed as incurred, in accordance with the existing internal-use software guidance for similar costs. The new standard also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow classification of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ending January 30, 2021. The amendments may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. ​

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANS

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS	7. LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS ​ The Company leases certain store real estate, warehouses, distribution centers, office space and equipment. While the Company’s current strategy emphasizes ownership of store real estate, the Company operates in leased facilities in approximately half of its store locations. Lease terms options renew for varying terms at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Certain leases include escalation clauses 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 over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Certain properties or portions thereof are subleased to others periods one ​ The following table provides supplemental balance sheet classification information related to leases: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, February 2, ​ ​ Classification ​ 2019 ​ 2019 Assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Operating lease assets ​ $ 6,847 ​ $ — Finance ​ Property, plant and equipment, net (1) ​ ​ 760 ​ ​ 721 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total leased assets ​ ​ ​ $ 7,607 ​ $ 721 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Current portion of operating lease liabilities ​ $ 673 ​ $ — Finance ​ Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under finance leases ​ ​ 50 ​ ​ 54 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Noncurrent ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Noncurrent operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 6,449 ​ ​ — Finance ​ Long-term debt including obligations under finance leases ​ ​ 916 ​ ​ 824 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total lease liabilities ​ ​ ​ $ 8,088 ​ $ 878 (1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $298 and $345 as of November 9, 2019 and February 2, 2019. ​ The following table provides the components of lease cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended Lease Cost ​ Classification November 9, 2019 November 9, 2019 Operating lease cost (1) ​ Rent Expense ​ $ 229 ​ $ 768 Sublease and other rental income ​ Rent Expense ​ (28) ​ (93) Finance lease cost ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of leased assets ​ Depreciation and Amortization ​ ​ 13 ​ ​ 41 Interest on lease liabilities ​ Interest Expense ​ ​ 12 ​ ​ 37 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net lease cost ​ ​ ​ $ 226 ​ $ 753 (1) Includes short-term leases and variable lease costs, which are immaterial. ​ Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities are listed below. Amounts in the table include options to extend lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Finance ​ ​ ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total Remainder of 2019 ​ $ 195 ​ $ 17 ​ $ 212 2020 ​ 966 ​ 95 ​ 1,061 2021 ​ 891 ​ 96 ​ 987 2022 ​ 754 ​ 93 ​ 847 2023 ​ 685 ​ 93 ​ 778 Thereafter ​ 6,910 ​ 1,003 ​ 7,913 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total lease payments ​ ​ 10,401 ​ ​ 1,397 ​ $ 11,798 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less amount representing interest ​ 3,279 ​ ​ 431 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Present value of lease liabilities (1) ​ $ 7,122 ​ $ 966 ​ ​ ​ (1) Includes the current portion of $673 for operating leases and $50 for finance leases. ​ Total future minimum rentals under non-cancellable subleases at November 9, 2019 were $308. ​ The following table provides the weighted-average lease term and discount rate for operating and finance leases: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ 16.1 ​ Finance leases ​ 16.0 ​ Weighted-average discount rate ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ 4.3 % Finance leases ​ 4.2 % ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The following table provides supplemental cash flow information related to leases: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities ​ ​ ​ Operating cash flows from operating leases ​ $ 711 Operating cash flows from finance leases ​ ​ 37 Financing cash flows from finance leases ​ ​ 33 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 658 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities ​ ​ 185 Net gain recognized from sale and leaseback transactions (1) ​ ​ 51 Impairment of operating lease assets ​ ​ 29 Impairment of finance lease assets ​ ​ 40 (1) During the first three quarters of 2019, the Company entered into sale leaseback transactions related to eight properties, which resulted in total proceeds of $102 . ​ The Company adopted new lease accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2019 as discussed in Note 1 and Note 5, and as required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. Minimum annual rentals and payments under capital leases and lease-financed transactions for the five years subsequent to February 2, 2019 and in the aggregate are listed below. Amounts in the table below only include payments through the noncancelable lease term. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Lease- ​ ​ Capital ​ Operating ​ Financed ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Transactions 2019 ​ $ 103 ​ $ 948 ​ $ 5 2020 ​ 89 ​ 880 ​ 6 2021 ​ 86 ​ 773 ​ 5 2022 ​ 82 ​ 649 ​ 5 2023 ​ 81 ​ 556 ​ 5 Thereafter ​ 766 ​ 3,197 ​ 17 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ 1,207 ​ $ 7,003 ​ $ 43 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net minimum lease payments under capital leases ​ 1,207 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less amount representing interest ​ 372 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases ​ $ 835 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	8. 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. ​ 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 where an adverse outcome is probable. Nonetheless, assessing and predicting the outcomes of these matters involve 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.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
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 first three quarters of 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash Flow ​ ​ ​ ​ Postretirement ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hedging ​ Available for sale ​ Defined Benefit ​ ​ ​ ​ Activities (1) Securities (1) Plans (1) Total (1) Balance at February 3, 2018 ​ $ 24 ​ $ 4 ​ $ (499) ​ $ (471) OCI before reclassifications (2) ​ ​ 37 ​ (4) ​ — ​ 33 Amounts reclassified out of AOCI (3) ​ ​ 3 ​ — ​ 33 ​ 36 Net current-period OCI ​ ​ 40 ​ (4) ​ 33 ​ 69 Balance at November 10, 2018 ​ $ 64 ​ $ — ​ $ (466) ​ $ (402) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance at February 2, 2019 ​ $ 6 ​ $ — ​ $ (352) ​ $ (346) Cumulative effect of accounting change (4) ​ ​ (5) ​ ​ — ​ ​ (141) ​ ​ (146) OCI before reclassifications (2) ​ (29) ​ — ​ — ​ (29) Amounts reclassified out of AOCI (3) ​ 3 ​ — ​ 23 ​ 26 Net current-period OCI ​ (31) ​ — ​ (118) ​ (149) Balance at November 9, 2019 ​ $ (25) ​ $ — ​ $ (470) ​ $ (495) (1) All amounts are net of tax. (2) Net of tax of $ 10 for cash flow hedging activities and ($1 ) for available for sale securities for the first three quarters of 2018. Net of tax of ($16) for cash flow hedging activities for the first three quarters of 2019. (3) Net of tax of $3 for cash flow hedging activities and $10 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans for the first three quarters of 2018. Net of tax of $3 for cash flow hedging activities and $8 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans for the first three quarters of 2019. (4) Related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," (see Note 5 for additional details). ​ The following table represents the items reclassified out of AOCI and the related tax effects for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ November 9, November 10, November 9, November 10, ​ ​ 2019 ​ 2018 ​ 2019 ​ 2018 ​ Cash flow hedging activity items ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities (1) ​ $ 2 ​ $ 2 ​ $ 6 ​ $ 6 ​ Tax expense ​ (1) ​ (1) ​ (3) ​ (3) ​ Net of tax ​ 1 ​ 1 ​ 3 ​ 3 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and postretirement defined benefit plan items ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension cost (2) 10 13 31 43 ​ Tax expense (3) (3) (8) (10) ​ Net of tax 7 10 23 33 ​ Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 8 $ 11 $ 26 $ 36 ​ (1) Reclassified from AOCI into interest expense. (2) Reclassified from AOCI into non-service component of company-sponsored pension plan costs. These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 3 for additional details). ​

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	10. INCOME TAXES ​ The effective income tax rate was 35.6% in the third quarter of 2019, compared to 22.8% in the third quarter of 2018. The effective income tax rate was 25.0% for the first three quarters of 2019, compared to 22.8% for the first three quarters of 2018. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter and the first three quarters of 2019 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the portion of the impairment of Lucky’s Market attributable to the minority interest, which reduces pre-tax income, but does not impact tax expense. The impact of this item on the effective income tax rate is approximately 12% for the third quarter and 2% for the first three quarters of 2019. The difference from the statutory rate is also impacted by the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by the utilization of tax credits and deductions. Refer to Note 11 for information about the impairment of Lucky’s Market. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and an IRS audit that resulted in a reduction of prior year tax deductions at pre-Tax Reform rates and an increase in future tax deductions at post-Tax Reform rates, partially offset by the utilization of tax credits and deductions and favorable provision to return adjustments. Additionally, the rate for the first three quarters of 2018 benefitted from favorable settlements of certain state tax items. ​

HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF B

HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS
HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS	11. HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESSES ​ Certain assets and liabilities related to the Company’s Turkey Hill Dairy and You Technology businesses were classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 2, 2019. ​ On March 13, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its You Technology business to Inmar for total consideration of $565, including $396 of cash and $64 of preferred equity received upon closing. The Company is also entitled to receive other cash payments of . The transaction includes a long-term service agreement for Inmar to provide the Company digital coupon services. The sale resulted in a gain of ​ On April 26, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its Turkey Hill Dairy business to an affiliate of Peak Rock Capital for total proceeds of $225 . The sale resulted in a gain of net of tax, which is included in “Gain on sale of businesses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. ​ In the third quarter of 2019, as a result of a portfolio review, the Company has decided to divest its interest in Lucky’s Market. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $238 in the third quarter of 2019, which is included in OG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impairment charge consists of property, plant and equipment of $200, which includes $40 of finance lease assets;

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	​ Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation ​ The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of The Kroger Co., its wholly-owned subsidiaries and other consolidated entities. The February 2, 2019 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements and, due to its summary nature, does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. References to the “Company” in these Consolidated Financial Statements mean the consolidated company. ​ In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include adjustments, all of which are of a normal, recurring nature that are necessary for a fair statement of results of operations for such periods but should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. The financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted, pursuant to SEC regulations. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019. ​ The unaudited information in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the third quarters and three quarters ended November 9, 2019 and November 10, 2018, includes the results of operations of the Company for the 12 and 40-week periods then ended. ​ Products and services related primarily to Kroger Personal Finance and Media, which were historically accounted for as an offset to operating, general and administrative expenses (“OG&A”), are classified as a component of sales as of the beginning of fiscal year 2019, except for certain amounts in Media, which are netted against merchandise costs. These prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current-year presentation. ​ Refer to Note 5 for a description of changes to the Consolidated Balance Sheet for recently adopted accounting standards regarding the recognition of lease agreements and reclassification of stranded tax effects. ​ In the third quarter of 2019, the Company recorded an out of period adjustment that decreased sales by $29 with a corresponding increase to other current liabilities related to a provision in a pharmacy contract that should have been recognized over the previous six quarters. The Company evaluated the impact of the adjustment and concluded it is not material, individually and in the aggregate, to the current or any prior period financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ​ Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: ​ 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. ​ The Company records 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 at approximated fair value. Certain other investments and derivatives are recorded as Level 1, 2 or 3 instruments. Refer to Note 2 for the disclosure of debt instrument fair values.

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Schedule of long-term debt	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, ​ February 2, ​ 2019 2019 1.50% to 8.00% Senior Notes due through 2048 ​ $ 11,606 ​ $ 12,097 5.63% to 12.75% Mortgages due through 2027 ​ 12 ​ 14 1.83% to 2.63% Commercial paper borrowings ​ 565 ​ 800 3.37% Term Loan ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,000 Other ​ 495 ​ 440 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total debt, excluding obligations under finance leases ​ 12,678 ​ 14,351 Less current portion ​ (1,367) ​ (3,103) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total long-term debt, excluding obligations under finance leases ​ $ 11,311 ​ $ 11,248 ​

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
BENEFIT PLANS
Schedule of components of net periodic benefit cost	Third Quarter Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ Pension Benefits ​ Other Benefits ​ ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ November 9, ​ November 10, ​ 2019 2018 2019 2018 Components of net periodic benefit cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Service cost $ 24 $ 29 $ 6 $ 6 Interest cost ​ 105 ​ 104 ​ 6 ​ 6 Expected return on plan assets ​ (140) ​ (134) ​ — ​ — Amortization of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prior service cost ​ — ​ — ​ (8) ​ (9) Actuarial loss (gain) ​ 47 ​ 59 ​ (8) ​ (7) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net periodic benefit cost $ 36 $ 58 $ (4) $ (4)

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Schedule of earnings per common and diluted shares	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 ​ November 10, 2018 ​ ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share ​ $ 260 802 ​ $ 0.32 ​ $ 313 797 ​ $ 0.39 Dilutive effect of stock options ​ ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share ​ $ 260 807 ​ $ 0.32 ​ $ 313 807 ​ $ 0.39 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 ​ November 10, 2018 ​ ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ ​ Per ​ ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ Earnings ​ Shares ​ Share ​ ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount ​ (Numerator) ​ (Denominator) ​ Amount Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share ​ $ 1,317 800 ​ $ 1.65 ​ $ 2,820 814 ​ $ 3.46 Dilutive effect of stock options ​ ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 8 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share ​ $ 1,317 805 ​ $ 1.64 ​ $ 2,820 822 ​ $ 3.43 ​

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_2

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Schedule of supplemental balance sheet classification	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, February 2, ​ ​ Classification ​ 2019 ​ 2019 Assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Operating lease assets ​ $ 6,847 ​ $ — Finance ​ Property, plant and equipment, net (1) ​ ​ 760 ​ ​ 721 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total leased assets ​ ​ ​ $ 7,607 ​ $ 721 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Current portion of operating lease liabilities ​ $ 673 ​ $ — Finance ​ Current portion of long-term debt including obligations under finance leases ​ ​ 50 ​ ​ 54 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Noncurrent ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Noncurrent operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 6,449 ​ ​ — Finance ​ Long-term debt including obligations under finance leases ​ ​ 916 ​ ​ 824 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total lease liabilities ​ ​ ​ $ 8,088 ​ $ 878 (1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $298 and $345 as of November 9, 2019 and February 2, 2019. ​
Schedule of components of lease cost	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended Lease Cost ​ Classification November 9, 2019 November 9, 2019 Operating lease cost (1) ​ Rent Expense ​ $ 229 ​ $ 768 Sublease and other rental income ​ Rent Expense ​ (28) ​ (93) Finance lease cost ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of leased assets ​ Depreciation and Amortization ​ ​ 13 ​ ​ 41 Interest on lease liabilities ​ Interest Expense ​ ​ 12 ​ ​ 37 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net lease cost ​ ​ ​ $ 226 ​ $ 753 (1) Includes short-term leases and variable lease costs, which are immaterial. ​
Schedule of maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating ​ Finance ​ ​ ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total Remainder of 2019 ​ $ 195 ​ $ 17 ​ $ 212 2020 ​ 966 ​ 95 ​ 1,061 2021 ​ 891 ​ 96 ​ 987 2022 ​ 754 ​ 93 ​ 847 2023 ​ 685 ​ 93 ​ 778 Thereafter ​ 6,910 ​ 1,003 ​ 7,913 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total lease payments ​ ​ 10,401 ​ ​ 1,397 ​ $ 11,798 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less amount representing interest ​ 3,279 ​ ​ 431 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Present value of lease liabilities (1) ​ $ 7,122 ​ $ 966 ​ ​ ​ (1) Includes the current portion of $673 for operating leases and $50 for finance leases.
Schedule of weighted-average lease term and discount rate	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 9, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ 16.1 ​ Finance leases ​ 16.0 ​ Weighted-average discount rate ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ 4.3 % Finance leases ​ 4.2 % ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of supplemental cash flow information	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ ​ November 9, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities ​ ​ ​ Operating cash flows from operating leases ​ $ 711 Operating cash flows from finance leases ​ ​ 37 Financing cash flows from finance leases ​ ​ 33 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 658 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities ​ ​ 185 Net gain recognized from sale and leaseback transactions (1) ​ ​ 51 Impairment of operating lease assets ​ ​ 29 Impairment of finance lease assets ​ ​ 40 (1) During the first three quarters of 2019, the Company entered into sale leaseback transactions related to eight properties, which resulted in total proceeds of $102 . ​
Schedule of minimum annual rentals and payments under capital leases and lease-financed transactions	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Lease- ​ ​ Capital ​ Operating ​ Financed ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Transactions 2019 ​ $ 103 ​ $ 948 ​ $ 5 2020 ​ 89 ​ 880 ​ 6 2021 ​ 86 ​ 773 ​ 5 2022 ​ 82 ​ 649 ​ 5 2023 ​ 81 ​ 556 ​ 5 Thereafter ​ 766 ​ 3,197 ​ 17 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ 1,207 ​ $ 7,003 ​ $ 43 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net minimum lease payments under capital leases ​ 1,207 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less amount representing interest ​ 372 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases ​ $ 835 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Schedule of changes in AOCI by component	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash Flow ​ ​ ​ ​ Postretirement ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hedging ​ Available for sale ​ Defined Benefit ​ ​ ​ ​ Activities (1) Securities (1) Plans (1) Total (1) Balance at February 3, 2018 ​ $ 24 ​ $ 4 ​ $ (499) ​ $ (471) OCI before reclassifications (2) ​ ​ 37 ​ (4) ​ — ​ 33 Amounts reclassified out of AOCI (3) ​ ​ 3 ​ — ​ 33 ​ 36 Net current-period OCI ​ ​ 40 ​ (4) ​ 33 ​ 69 Balance at November 10, 2018 ​ $ 64 ​ $ — ​ $ (466) ​ $ (402) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance at February 2, 2019 ​ $ 6 ​ $ — ​ $ (352) ​ $ (346) Cumulative effect of accounting change (4) ​ ​ (5) ​ ​ — ​ ​ (141) ​ ​ (146) OCI before reclassifications (2) ​ (29) ​ — ​ — ​ (29) Amounts reclassified out of AOCI (3) ​ 3 ​ — ​ 23 ​ 26 Net current-period OCI ​ (31) ​ — ​ (118) ​ (149) Balance at November 9, 2019 ​ $ (25) ​ $ — ​ $ (470) ​ $ (495) (1) All amounts are net of tax. (2) Net of tax of $ 10 for cash flow hedging activities and ($1 ) for available for sale securities for the first three quarters of 2018. Net of tax of ($16) for cash flow hedging activities for the first three quarters of 2019. (3) Net of tax of $3 for cash flow hedging activities and $10 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans for the first three quarters of 2018. Net of tax of $3 for cash flow hedging activities and $8 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans for the first three quarters of 2019. (4) Related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," (see Note 5 for additional details). ​
Schedule of items reclassified out of AOCI and the related tax effects	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Third Quarter Ended ​ Three Quarters Ended ​ November 9, November 10, November 9, November 10, ​ ​ 2019 ​ 2018 ​ 2019 ​ 2018 ​ Cash flow hedging activity items ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities (1) ​ $ 2 ​ $ 2 ​ $ 6 ​ $ 6 ​ Tax expense ​ (1) ​ (1) ​ (3) ​ (3) ​ Net of tax ​ 1 ​ 1 ​ 3 ​ 3 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and postretirement defined benefit plan items ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension cost (2) 10 13 31 43 ​ Tax expense (3) (3) (8) (10) ​ Net of tax 7 10 23 33 ​ Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 8 $ 11 $ 26 $ 36 ​ (1) Reclassified from AOCI into interest expense. (2) Reclassified from AOCI into non-service component of company-sponsored pension plan costs. These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 3 for additional details).

ACCOUNTING POLICIES - DESCRIPTI

ACCOUNTING POLICIES - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal period	84 days	84 days	280 days	280 days

ACCOUNTING POLICIES - PHARMACY

ACCOUNTING POLICIES - PHARMACY CONTRACT (Details) - Pharmacy - Sales $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Decrease in sales	$ (29)
Increase in current liabilities	$ 29

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Details)

DEBT OBLIGATIONS (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)DerivativeInstrument	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)DerivativeInstrument	Feb. 02, 2019USD ($)
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	$ 12,678	$ 12,678	$ 14,351
Less current portion	(1,367)	(1,367)	(3,103)
Total long-term debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	11,311	11,311	11,248
Fair value of total debt	13,540	13,540	14,190
Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges
Debt
Notional amount	$ 600	$ 600
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Maturing January 2021 | Cash flow hedges
Debt
Number of interest-rate swaps | DerivativeInstrument	6	6
Notional amount	$ 300	$ 300
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Maturing January 2020 | Cash flow hedges
Debt
Number of interest-rate swaps | DerivativeInstrument	1	1
Notional amount	$ 50	$ 50
Senior Notes due through 2048
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	$ 11,606	$ 11,606	12,097
Senior Notes due through 2048 | Minimum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	1.50%	1.50%
Senior Notes due through 2048 | Maximum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Senior notes 1.50% due 2019
Debt
Repayment of debt	$ 500
Interest rate (as a percent)	1.50%	1.50%
Mortgages due through 2027
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	$ 12	$ 12	14
Mortgages due through 2027 | Minimum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.63%	5.63%
Mortgages due through 2027 | Maximum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	12.75%	12.75%
Commercial paper borrowings
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	$ 565	$ 565	800
Commercial paper borrowings | Minimum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	1.83%	1.83%
Commercial paper borrowings | Maximum
Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.63%	2.63%
Term Loan
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations			$ 1,000
Repayment of debt		$ 1,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.37%	3.37%	3.37%
Other
Debt
Total debt, excluding capital leases and financing obligations	$ 495	$ 495	$ 440

BENEFIT PLANS - COMPONENTS OF N

BENEFIT PLANS - COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
Pension Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 6	$ 8	$ 24	$ 29
Interest cost	32	31	105	104
Expected return on plan assets	(43)	(40)	(140)	(134)
Amortization of:
Actuarial loss (gain)	16	18	47	59
Net periodic benefit cost	11	17	36	58
Contributions into Fund		185
Contributions into Fund, net of tax		117
Other Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	2	2	6	6
Interest cost	2	2	6	6
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	(3)	(3)	(8)	(9)
Actuarial loss (gain)	(3)	(2)	(8)	(7)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (2)	$ (1)	$ (4)	$ (4)

BENEFIT PLANS - DEFINED CONTRIB

BENEFIT PLANS - DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
BENEFIT PLANS
Contribution to 401(k) retirement savings accounts	$ 209	$ 204

BENEFIT PLANS - MULTI EMPLOYER

BENEFIT PLANS - MULTI EMPLOYER PLAN (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)
Multiemployer Plans
Severance and related benefits	$ 80
Severance and related benefits, net of tax	61
Multi-employer pension funds
Multiemployer Plans
Charge (before-tax) related to pension plan agreements	45	$ 131
Charge (after-tax) related to pension plan agreements	35	101
Other Current Liabilities
Multiemployer Plans
Unpaid restructuring charges	$ 63	$ 63

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Deta

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Net earnings numerator (basic)	$ 260	$ 313	$ 1,317	$ 2,820
Net earnings numerator (diluted)	$ 260	$ 313	$ 1,317	$ 2,820
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	802	797	800	814
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 1.65	$ 3.46
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	5	10	5	8
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	807	807	805	822
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 1.64	$ 3.43
Undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities	$ 3	$ 4	$ 15	$ 31
Shares excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share	18	11	24	11

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING S_2

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 03, 2019	Nov. 09, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019
Recently adopted accounting standards
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset		$ 6,847
Operating Lease, Liability		$ 7,122
Cumulative effect of accounting change			$ 146
ASU 2016-02
Recently adopted accounting standards
Lease - Practical Expedient - Package	true
ASU 2016-02 | Restatement Adjustment
Recently adopted accounting standards
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 6,800
Operating Lease, Liability	7,000
ASU 2018-02 | Restatement Adjustment
Recently adopted accounting standards
Cumulative effect of accounting change	$ 146

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_3

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - NARRATIVE (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Option to renew - Operating	true
Option to renew - Finance	true
Minimum
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Term - Operating	10 years
Term - Finance	10 years
Sublease term - Operating	1 year
Sublease term - Finance	1 year
Maximum
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Term - Operating	20 years
Term - Finance	20 years
Sublease term - Operating	20 years
Sublease term - Finance	20 years

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_4

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - BALANCE SHEET CLASSIFICATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 09, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Operating	$ 6,847
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.	21,801	$ 21,635
Total lease assets	7,607	721
Current - Operating	673
Current - Finance	50	54
Noncurrent - Operating	6,449
Noncurrent - Finance	916	824
Total lease liabilities	8,088	878
Finance lease assets
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.	760	721
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 298	$ 345

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_5

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - LEASE COST (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 09, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Net lease cost	$ 226	$ 753
Rent Expense
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Operating lease cost	229	768
Sublease and other rental income	(28)	(93)
Depreciation and Amortization
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Amortization of leased assets	13	41
Interest expense
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Interest on lease liabilities	$ 12	$ 37

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_6

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - MATURITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 09, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019
Operating leases maturities:
Remainder of 2019	$ 195
2020	966
2021	891
2022	754
2023	685
Thereafter	6,910
Total lease payments	10,401
Less amount representing interest	3,279
Present value of lease liabilities	7,122
Finance leases maturities:
Remainder of 2019	17
2020	95
2021	96
2022	93
2023	93
Thereafter	1,003
Total lease payments	1,397
Less amount representing interest	431
Present value of lease liabilities	966
Maturities
Remainder of 2019	212
2020	1,061
2021	987
2022	847
2023	778
Thereafter	7,913
Total lease payments	11,798
Current - Operating	673
Current finance leases	$ 50	$ 54

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_7

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - SUB LEASES (Details) $ in Millions	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Future minimum rentals under non-cancellable subleases	$ 308

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_8

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION (Details)	Nov. 09, 2019
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Operating leases -Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	16 years 1 month 6 days
Finance leases - Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	16 years
Operating leases - Weighted-average discount rate	4.30%
Finance leases - Weighted-average discount rate	4.20%

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRA_9

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019USD ($)property
LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 711
Operating cash flows from finance leases	37
Financing cash flows from finance leases	33
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	658
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	185
Net gain recognized from sale and leaseback transactions	51
Impairment of operating lease assets	29
Impairment of finance lease assets	$ 40
Number of properties | property	8
Total proceeds	$ 102

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TR_10

LEASES AND LEASE-FINANCED TRANSACTIONS - PAYMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 02, 2019USD ($)
Capital Leases, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Capital Leases, 2019	$ 103
Capital Leases, 2020	89
Capital Leases, 2021	86
Capital Leases, 2022	82
Capital Leases, 2023	81
Capital Leases, Thereafter	766
Minimum capital lease annual rentals and payments	1,207
Net minimum lease payments under capital leases	1,207
Less amount representing interest	372
Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases	835
Operating Leases, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Operating Leases, 2019	948
Operating Leases, 2020	880
Operating Leases, 2021	773
Operating Leases, 2022	649
Operating Leases, 2023	556
Operating Leases, Thereafter	3,197
Minimum operating lease annual rentals and payments	7,003
Lease-Financed Transactions, Future minimum annual rentals and payments
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2019	5
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2020	6
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2021	5
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2022	5
Lease-Financed Transactions, 2023	5
Lease-Financed Transactions, Thereafter	17
Minimum lease-financed transactions annual rentals and payments	$ 43

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - CHANGES IN AOCI BY COMPONENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended					4 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Nov. 09, 2019	Aug. 17, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Aug. 18, 2018	May 25, 2019	May 26, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period							$ 7,886		$ 7,886
Cumulative effect of accounting change	[1]								(146)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI		$ 8			$ 11				26	$ 36
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		42	$ (45)	$ 56	48	$ 5	(146)	$ 16	(149)	69
Balance at the end of the period		8,915		7,886					8,915
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period				(402)			(346)	(471)	(346)	(471)
Cumulative effect of accounting change									(146)
OCI before reclassifications									(29)	33
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI									26	36
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		42	$ (45)	56	48	$ 5	(146)	16	(149)	69
Balance at the end of the period		(495)		(346)	(402)				(495)	(402)
Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period				64			6	24	6	24
Cumulative effect of accounting change									(5)
OCI before reclassifications									(29)	37
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI									3	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(31)	40
Balance at the end of the period		(25)		6	64				(25)	64
OCI before reclassifications, tax									(16)	10
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, tax									3	3
Available for sale Securities
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period								4		4
OCI before reclassifications										(4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(4)
OCI before reclassifications, tax										(1)
Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period				(466)			$ (352)	$ (499)	(352)	(499)
Cumulative effect of accounting change									(141)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI		7			10				23	33
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(118)	33
Balance at the end of the period		(470)		$ (352)	(466)				(470)	(466)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, tax		$ 3			$ 3				$ 8	$ 10
[1]	Related to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," (see Note 5 for additional details)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_4

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - ITEMS RECLASSIFIED OUT OF AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities	$ 137	$ 142	$ 463	$ 479
Tax expense	79	91	398	834
Net of tax	(263)	(317)	(1,332)	(2,851)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	8	11	26	36
Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Tax expense			(3)	(3)
Total reclassifications, net of tax			3	3
Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense	10	13	31	43
Tax expense	(3)	(3)	(8)	(10)
Total reclassifications, net of tax	7	10	23	33
Reclassification out of AOCI | Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Reclassification out of AOCI and the related tax effects
Amortization of gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities	2	2	6	6
Tax expense	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Net of tax	$ 1	$ 1	$ 3	$ 3

INCOME TAXES - EFFECTIVE INCOME

INCOME TAXES - EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
INCOME TAXES
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	35.60%	22.80%	25.00%	22.80%
Effective income tax rate due to portion of the impairment of Lucky's Market	12.00%		2.00%

HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF_2

HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 26, 2019	Mar. 13, 2019	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 09, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018
HELD FOR SALE
Gain on sale of businesses				$ 176	$ 1,782
Impairment charges				238
Impairment of finance lease assets				40
Operating Lease, Impairment Loss				$ 29
You Technology business unit | Disposed by Sale
HELD FOR SALE
Consideration for sale		$ 565
Proceeds received upon closing		396
Preferred equity		64
Other cash consideration		$ 105
Other cash consideration receivable period		5 years
Gain on sale of businesses		$ 70
Gain on sale of business, net of tax		$ 52
Term to be recorded as sales		10 years
You Technology business unit | Disposed by Sale | Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities
HELD FOR SALE
Fair value of long-term service agreement		$ 358
Turkey Hill Dairy Business | Disposed by Sale
HELD FOR SALE
Proceeds received upon closing	$ 225
Gain on sale of businesses	106
Gain on sale of business, net of tax	$ 80
Lucky's Market | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
HELD FOR SALE
Impairment charges			$ 238
Impairment of property, plant and equipment			200
Impairment of finance lease assets			40
Goodwill Impairment			19
Operating Lease, Impairment Loss			11
Asset impairment other charge			8
Impairment charges attributable to The Kroger Co., net of tax			131
Impairment charges attributable to The Kroger Co.			$ 100