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:  April 19, 1994


                   
                              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
<PAGE>


Item 5.        Other Events

               On April 19, 1994, the Company released its earnings for the
               first quarter 1994 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1


Item 7.        Financial Statements and Exhibits

               (c)  Exhibits:

                    99.1 Other Exhibits-Earnings Release for First Quarter 1994







<PAGE>
                                 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.

April 19, 1994                     By  (Paul W. Heldman)
                                        Paul W. Heldman
                                        Vice President, Secretary
                                          and General Counsel
<PAGE>

                               EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                             Exhibit

99.1      Other Exhibits-Earnings Release for First Quarter 1994
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "KROGER CO", "cik": "0000056873", "assigned-sic": "5411", "irs-number": "310345740", "state-of-incorporation": "OH", "fiscal-year-end": "1230"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00303", "film-number": "94523215"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1014 VINE ST", "city": "CINCINNATI", "state": "OH", "zip": "45202", "phone": "5137624000"}}
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:  April 19, 1994

                   
                              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
Item 5.        Other Events

               On April 19, 1994, the Company released its earnings for the
               first quarter 1994 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1

Item 7.        Financial Statements and Exhibits

               (c)  Exhibits:

                    99.1 Other Exhibits-Earnings Release for First Quarter 1994
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.

April 19, 1994                     By  (Paul W. Heldman)
                                        Paul W. Heldman
                                        Vice President, Secretary
                                          and General Counsel
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                             Exhibit

99.1      Other Exhibits-Earnings Release for First Quarter 1994