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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT



                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       Date of Report: September 19, 2001



                                 THE KROGER CO.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


An Ohio Corporation                  No. 1-303                 31-0345740
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission File            (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                      Number)                   Number)


                                1014 Vine Street
                             Cincinnati, OH  45201
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number: (513) 762-4000


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Item 5.  Other Events

          On September 19, 2001, the Company released its earnings for the
          second quarter of 2001. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is the text of
          that release.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

          (c) Exhibits:

              99.1 Earnings release for second quarter 2001.




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                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereto duly authorized.


                                             THE KROGER CO.



September 19, 2001                           By: (Paul Heldman)
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Paul Heldman
                                                Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                                 and General Counsel




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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                         Exhibit
-----------                         -------


99.1                Earnings release for second quarter 2001.