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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&#160; 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="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</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></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:&#160; <b>July&nbsp;25, 2013</b></font></p>
<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 earliest event reported)</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;">No.&nbsp;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;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1014 Vine Street</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;">Cincinnati, OH&#160; 45202</font></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;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number:&#160; <b>(513) 762-4000</b></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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:</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; 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 .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; 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 .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; 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 .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; 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 1.5in;text-indent:-1.5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Section&nbsp;8 &#151; Other Events</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-1.5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;8.01&#160; Other Events.</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On December&nbsp;15, 2010, The Kroger Co. filed Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-171183 on Form&nbsp;S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;415 registering an indeterminate amount of securities (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;).&#160; Pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement dated July&nbsp;18, 2013, The Kroger Co. is issuing $600,000,000 of debt securities denominated 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023 and $400,000,000 of debt securities denominated 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043 (collectively, the &#147;Notes&#148;).</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;1.1 to the Registration Statement was a form of Underwriting Agreement for the issuance of debt securities.&#160; In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Registrant has executed an Underwriting Agreement and a Pricing Agreement both dated as of July&nbsp;18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments,&nbsp;Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities,&nbsp;Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA),&nbsp;Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Underwriting Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;1.1 and the Pricing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;1.1.1.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The form of Indenture for the Notes was filed as Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the Registration Statement. The Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, relating to the 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, among The Kroger Co. and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee, supplements the Indenture dated as of June&nbsp;25, 1999, between The Kroger Co. and Firstar Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;4.3.1.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, relating to the 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, among The Kroger Co. and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee, supplements the Indenture dated as of June&nbsp;25, 1999, between The Kroger Co. and Firstar Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;4.3.2.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">An opinion of Paul Heldman,&nbsp;Esq., including his consent, is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1. An opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver&nbsp;&amp; Jacobson LLP, including its consent, is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;5.2.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Company expects to use the proceeds of the Notes to repay commercial paper that was issued to fund the repayment of long-term indebtedness that matured in February&nbsp;2013 and April&nbsp;2013 and for general corporate purposes.</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_081729_5796"></a></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;">Section&nbsp;9 &#151; Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-107.0pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01&#160; Financial Statements and Exhibits.</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;">(d)&nbsp;<u>Exhibits</u>.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.1&#160; Underwriting Agreement dated as of July&nbsp;18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments,&nbsp;Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities,&nbsp;Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA),&nbsp;Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.1.1&#160; Pricing Agreement dated as of July&nbsp;18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments,&nbsp;Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities,&nbsp;Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA),&nbsp;Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3.1&#160; Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, relating to the 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3.2 Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, relating to the 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.1&#160; Opinion of Paul Heldman,&nbsp;Esq.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.2.&#160; Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver&nbsp;&amp; Jacobson LLP</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.1 Consent of Paul Heldman,&nbsp;Esq., which is contained in his opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.2 Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver&nbsp;&amp; Jacobson LLP, which is contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.2</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURE</font></u></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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;"><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 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">July&nbsp;25, 2013 </font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.44%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
<td width="45%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.56%;">
<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>
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="5%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.56%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.44%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Paul Heldman</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="5%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.56%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.44%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Executive Vice President, Secretary and General   Counsel</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr height="0">
<td width="374" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="33" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="8" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="332" style="border:none;"></td>   </tr> </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_081950_3020"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
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<div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="11%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Underwriting   Agreement dated as of July&nbsp;18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill   Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp   Investments,&nbsp;Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets   Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities,&nbsp;Inc., BNY Mellon   Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA),&nbsp;Inc., RBC Capital   Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel   Hamilton, LLC.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.1.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pricing   Agreement dated as of July&nbsp;18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill   Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&nbsp;&amp; Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp   Investments,&nbsp;Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets   Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities,&nbsp;Inc., BNY Mellon   Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA),&nbsp;Inc., RBC Capital   Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel   Hamilton, LLC.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Twenty-Seventh   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, relating to the 3.85%   Senior Notes due 2023, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National   Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as   Trustee</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3.2</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Twenty-Eighth   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July&nbsp;25, 2013, relating to the 5.15%   Senior Notes due 2043, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National   Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as   Trustee</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion   of Paul Heldman,&nbsp;Esq.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.2</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion   of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver&nbsp;&amp; Jacobson LLP</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent   of Paul Heldman,&nbsp;Esq., which is contained in his opinion filed as   Exhibit&nbsp;5.1.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.1%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.2</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent   of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver&nbsp;&amp; Jacobson LLP, which is contained   in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.2</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5<a name="PB_5_082032_7748"></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": "13985499"}, "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:
July 25, 2013
(Date of earliest event reported)
THE KROGER CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
An Ohio Corporation
No. 1-303
31-0345740
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Number)
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number:
(513) 762-4000
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:
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))
Section 8 — Other Events
Item 8.01  Other Events.
On December 15, 2010, The Kroger Co. filed Registration Statement No. 333-171183 on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 415 registering an indeterminate amount of securities (the "Registration Statement").  Pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement dated July 18, 2013, The Kroger Co. is issuing $600,000,000 of debt securities denominated 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023 and $400,000,000 of debt securities denominated 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043 (collectively, the "Notes").
Filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement was a form of Underwriting Agreement for the issuance of debt securities.  In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Registrant has executed an Underwriting Agreement and a Pricing Agreement both dated as of July 18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.
The Underwriting Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and the Pricing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1.1.
The form of Indenture for the Notes was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement. The Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, relating to the 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023, dated as of July 25, 2013, among The Kroger Co. and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee, supplements the Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, between The Kroger Co. and Firstar Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.3.1.
The Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, relating to the 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043, dated as of July 25, 2013, among The Kroger Co. and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee, supplements the Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, between The Kroger Co. and Firstar Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.3.2.
An opinion of Paul Heldman, Esq., including his consent, is attached as Exhibit 5.1. An opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, including its consent, is attached as Exhibit 5.2.
The Company expects to use the proceeds of the Notes to repay commercial paper that was issued to fund the repayment of long-term indebtedness that matured in February 2013 and April 2013 and for general corporate purposes.
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Section 9 — Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
.
1.1  Underwriting Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.
1.1.1  Pricing Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel Hamilton, LLC.
4.3.1  Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2013, relating to the 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee
4.3.2 Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2013, relating to the 5.15% Senior Notes due 2043, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as Trustee
5.1  Opinion of Paul Heldman, Esq.
5.2.  Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
23.1 Consent of Paul Heldman, Esq., which is contained in his opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1.
23.2 Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, which is contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2
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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.
THE   KROGER CO.
July 25, 2013
By:
/s/   Paul Heldman
Paul Heldman
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General   Counsel
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Exhibit
1.1
Underwriting   Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill   Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp   Investments, Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets   Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon   Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital   Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel   Hamilton, LLC.
1.1.1
Pricing   Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013, among The Kroger Co., Merrill   Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp   Investments, Inc. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets   Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon   Capital Markets, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital   Markets, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, CastleOak Securities, L.P., and Drexel   Hamilton, LLC.
4.3.1
Twenty-Seventh   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2013, relating to the 3.85%   Senior Notes due 2023, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National   Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as   Trustee
4.3.2
Twenty-Eighth   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2013, relating to the 5.15%   Senior Notes due 2043, between The Kroger Co., and U.S. Bank National   Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, National Association), as   Trustee
5.1
Opinion   of Paul Heldman, Esq.
5.2
Opinion   of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
23.1
Consent   of Paul Heldman, Esq., which is contained in his opinion filed as   Exhibit 5.1.
23.2
Consent   of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, which is contained   in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2
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