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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES<br> SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:12.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</font></b><b><font style="font-weight:bold;"><br>  </font>TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)&nbsp;OF THE<br> SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)&#160; <b>August&nbsp;2, 2013</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE KROGER CO.</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">An Ohio Corporation </font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-303</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">31-0345740</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File Number)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">45202</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(513) 762-4000</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s Telephone Number,&nbsp;Including Area Code) </font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) </font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<i>see </i>General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 22.3pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 22.3pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 22.3pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 22.3pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On August&nbsp;2, 2013, The Kroger Co. (the &#147;Company&#148;) entered into an unsecured bridge loan agreement with&nbsp;Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated&nbsp;as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunning Manager, and&nbsp;other lenders (the &#147;Bridge Loan Agreement&#148;).&nbsp; The Company entered into the Bridge Loan Agreement to provide an additional source of financing, if necessary, to fund a portion of the previously announced acquisition of Harris Teeter Supermarkets,&nbsp;Inc., as described more fully in the Form&nbsp;8-K filed by the Company on July&nbsp;9, 2013 (the &#147;Harris Teeter Acquisition&#148;).</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Bridge Loan Agreement is based on, and contains substantially similar terms to, the Company&#146;s existing credit agreement, amended and restated as of January&nbsp;25, 2012, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A. as syndication agent, and certain lenders (the &#147;Existing Credit Agreement&#148;). The Bridge Loan Agreement provides the Company the ability to borrow, based on certain conditions, including consummation of the Harris Teeter Acquisition, up to $850 million, and matures 364 days after closing.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Borrowings under the Bridge Loan Agreement would bear interest at the three-month LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin determined by the Company&#146;s credit ratings, as determined by S&amp;P and Moody&#146;s.&#160; The applicable margin will also increase by 25 basis points every 90 days after funding. The Company will also pay a funding fee to each lender equal to 0.5% of such lender&#146;s loan advance on the closing date of the financing, and duration fees on any loan amounts still outstanding of 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0% on each of the 90</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">th</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, 180</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">th</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;and 270</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">th</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;day, respectively, following the closing of the Harris Teeter Acquisition, and an annual ticking fee of 0.15% of the amount the lenders have committed. The Bridge Loan 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.&#160; The covenants and representations and warranties in the Bridge Loan Agreement are substantially the same as those contained in the Existing Credit Agreement.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Company may repay the Bridge Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.&#160; The Bridge Loan Agreement is not guaranteed by the Company&#146;s subsidiaries.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.03</font></b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance SheetArrangement of a Registrant</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_185644_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURE</font></u></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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 hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">August&nbsp;2, 2013</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">THE   KROGER CO.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant)   </font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/   Paul Heldman</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Paul   Heldman</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Executive   Vice President, Secretary</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">and   General Counsel</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_185911_5335"></a></font></p>
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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": "0203"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00303", "film-number": "131005907"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1014 VINE ST", "city": "CINCINNATI", "state": "OH", "zip": "45201", "phone": "5137624000"}}
UNITED STATES
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 (Date of earliest event reported)
August 2, 2013
THE KROGER CO.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
An Ohio Corporation
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-303
31-0345740
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(513) 762-4000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01              Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On August 2, 2013, The Kroger Co. (the "Company") entered into an unsecured bridge loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunning Manager, and other lenders (the "Bridge Loan Agreement").  The Company entered into the Bridge Loan Agreement to provide an additional source of financing, if necessary, to fund a portion of the previously announced acquisition of Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., as described more fully in the Form 8-K filed by the Company on July 9, 2013 (the "Harris Teeter Acquisition").
The Bridge Loan Agreement is based on, and contains substantially similar terms to, the Company's existing credit agreement, amended and restated as of January 25, 2012, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A. as syndication agent, and certain lenders (the "Existing Credit Agreement"). The Bridge Loan Agreement provides the Company the ability to borrow, based on certain conditions, including consummation of the Harris Teeter Acquisition, up to $850 million, and matures 364 days after closing.
Borrowings under the Bridge Loan Agreement would bear interest at the three-month LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin determined by the Company's credit ratings, as determined by S&P and Moody's.  The applicable margin will also increase by 25 basis points every 90 days after funding. The Company will also pay a funding fee to each lender equal to 0.5% of such lender's loan advance on the closing date of the financing, and duration fees on any loan amounts still outstanding of 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0% on each of the 90
th
, 180
th
and 270
th
day, respectively, following the closing of the Harris Teeter Acquisition, and an annual ticking fee of 0.15% of the amount the lenders have committed. The Bridge Loan 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 covenants and representations and warranties in the Bridge Loan Agreement are substantially the same as those contained in the Existing Credit Agreement.
The Company may repay the Bridge Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.  The Bridge Loan Agreement is not guaranteed by the Company's subsidiaries.
Item 2.03
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance SheetArrangement of a Registrant
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
Date:
August 2, 2013
THE   KROGER CO.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/   Paul Heldman
Paul   Heldman
Executive   Vice President, Secretary
and   General Counsel
3