Final Paper

  UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549   FORM 10 -K   (Mark One)   xxxx       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934   For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016.   OR   oooo          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934   For the transition period from           to             Commission file number 1 -303   THE KROGER CO. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)     Registrant ’s telephone number, including area code (513) 762 -4000   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   NONE (Title of class)   Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well -known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes   x       No   o   Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes   o        No   x   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   x       No   o   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S -T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   x       No   o   Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S -K (§299.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,   KR 10 -K 1/30/2016 Section 1: 10 -K (10 -K) Ohio 31 -0345740 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)       1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered       Common Stock $1 par value New York Stock Exchange and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant ’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10 -K or any amendment to this Form 10 - K. o   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non -accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer, ” “accelerated filer ” and “smaller reporting company ” in Rule 12b -2 of the Exchange Act.     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b -2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   o        No   x   The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of The Kroger Co. held by non -affiliates as of August 14, 2015:  $37.1 billion.  There were 962,480,228 shares of Common Stock ($1 par value) outstanding as of March 23, 2016.   Documents Incorporated by Reference:   Portions of the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act on or before May 27, 2016, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10 - K.       PART I   F ORWARD L OOKING S TATEMENTS.   This Annual Report on Form 10 -K contains forward -looking statements about our future performance.  These statements are based on our assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us.  These statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including the risks and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors ” and “Outlook ” below, that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.  Such statements are indicated by words such as “comfortable, ” “committed, ” “ will, ” “expect, ” “goal, ” “should, ” “intend, ” “target, ” “believe, ” “anticipate, ” “plan, ” and similar words or phrases.  Moreover, statements in the sections entitled Risk Factors, Management ’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ( “MD&A ” ) and Outlook, and elsewhere in this report regarding our expectations, projections, beliefs, intentions or strategies are forward -looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.   ITEM 1.                         BUSINESS.   The Kroger Co. (the “Company ” or “Kroger ” ) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of January 30, 2016, we are one of the largest retailers in the world based on annual sales.  We also manufacture and process some of the food for sale in our supermarkets.  Our principal executive offices are located at 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and our telephone number is (513) 762 -4000.  We maintain a web site (www.thekrogerco.com) that includes additional information about the Company.  We make available through our web site, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10 -K, our quarterly reports on Form 10 -Q, our current reports on Form 8 -K and our interactive data files, including amendments.  These forms are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed them with, or furnished them electronically to, the SEC.   Our revenues are predominately earned and cash is generated as consumer products are sold to customers in our stores and fuel centers. We earn income predominantly by selling products at price levels that produce revenues in excess of the costs to make these products available to our customers.  Such costs include procurement and distribution costs, facility occupancy and operational costs, and overhead expenses.  Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31.  All references to 2015, 2014 and 2013 are to the fiscal years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively, unless specifically indicated otherwise.   E MPLOYEES   As of January 30, 2016, Kroger employed approximately 431,000 full - and part -time employees. A majority of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements negotiated with local unions affiliated with one of several different international unions. There are approximately 350 such agreements, usually with terms of three to five years.   S TORES   As of January 30, 2016, Kroger operated, either directly or through its subsidiaries, 2,778 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names, 1,387 of which had fuel centers.  Approximately 42% of these supermarkets were operated in Company -owned facilities, including some Company -owned buildings on leased land.  Our current strategy emphasizes self -development and ownership of store real estate.  Our stores operate under a variety of banners that have strong local ties and brand recognition.  Supermarkets are generally operated under one of the following formats: combination food and drug stores ( “combo stores ”); multi -department stores; marketplace stores; or price impact warehouses.   The combo store is the primary food store format.  They typically draw customers from a 2 — 2½ mile radius.  We believe this format is successful because the stores are large enough to offer the specialty departments that customers ’ desire for one -stop shopping, including natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers and high -quality perishables such as fresh seafood and organic produce.   Multi -department stores are significantly larger in size than combo stores.  In addition to the departments offered at a typical combo store, multi -department stores sell a wide selection of general merchandise items such as apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, Large accelerated filer   x Accelerated filer   o Non -accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   o Smaller reporting company   o electronics, automotive products, toys and fine jewelry.   Marketplace stores are smaller in size than multi -department stores.  They offer full -service grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty care departments as well as an expanded perishable offering and general merchandise area that includes apparel, home goods and toys.   2   Price impact warehouse stores offer a “no -frills, low cost ” warehouse format and feature everyday low prices plus promotions for a wide selection of grocery and health and beauty care items. Quality meat, dairy, baked goods and fresh produce items provide a competitive advantage.

The average size of a price impact warehouse store is similar to that of a combo store.   In addition to the supermarkets, as of January 30, 2016, we operated, through subsidiaries, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores and an online retailer.  All 121 of our fine jewelry stores located in malls are operated in leased locations.  In addition, 78 convenience stores were operated by franchisees through franchise agreements.  Approximately 54% of the convenience stores operated by subsidiaries were operated in Company -owned facilities. The convenience stores offer a limited assortment of staple food items and general merchandise and, in most cases, sell gasoline.   S EGMENTS   We operate retail food and drug stores, multi -department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.  Our retail operations, which represent over 99% of our consolidated sales and earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“ EBITDA ” ), is our only reportable segment.  Our retail operating divisions have been aggregated into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long -term financial performance.  In addition, our operating divisions offer customers similar products, have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location.  Our operating divisions reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how our Chief Executive Officer, who acts as our chief operating decision maker, assesses performance internally.  All of our operations are domestic.  Revenues, profits and losses and total assets are shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 below.   M ERCHANDISING AND M ANUFACTURING   Corporate brand products play an important role in our merchandising strategy.  Our supermarkets, on average, stock over 14,000 private label items.  Our corporate brand products are primarily produced and sold in three “tiers. ”   Private Selection ® is the premium quality brand designed to be a unique item in a category or to meet or beat the “gourmet ” or “upscale ” brands.  The “banner brand ” (Kroger ® , Ralphs ® , Fred Meyer ® , King Soopers ® , etc.), which represents the majority of our private label items, is designed to satisfy customers with quality products.  Before we will carry a “banner brand ” product we must be satisfied that the product quality meets our customers ’ expectations in taste and efficacy, and we guarantee it.  P$$T … ® , Check This Out … and Heritage Farm™ are the three value brands, designed to deliver good quality at a very affordable price.   In addition, we continue to grow our other brands, including Simple Truth ® and Simple Truth Organic ® .  Both Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic are Free From 101 artificial preservatives and ingredients that customers have told us they do not want in their food, and the Simple Truth Organic products are USDA certified organic.   Approximately 40% of the corporate brand units sold in our supermarkets are produced in our food production plants; the remaining corporate brand items are produced to our strict specifications by outside manufacturers. We perform a “make or buy ” analysis on corporate brand products and decisions are based upon a comparison of market -based transfer prices versus open market purchases.  As of January 30, 2016, we operated 38 food production plants. These plants consisted of 17 dairies, ten deli or bakery plants, five grocery product plants, two beverage plants, two meat plants and two cheese plants.   S EASONALITY   The majority of our revenues are generally not seasonal in nature.  However, revenues tend to be higher during the major holidays throughout the year.   E XECUTIVE O FFICERS OF THE R EGISTRANT   The disclosure regarding executive officers is set forth in Item 10 of Part III of this Form 10 -K under the heading “Executive Officers of the Company, ” and is incorporated herein by reference.   C OMPETITIVE E NVIRONMENT   For the disclosure related to our competitive environment, see Item 1A under the heading “Competitive Environment. ”   3   ITEM 1A.                                        RISK FACTORS.   There are risks and uncertainties that can affect our business.  The significant risk factors are discussed below.  The following information should be read together with “Management ’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ” and the “Outlook ” section in Item 7 of this Form 10 -K, which include forward -looking statements and factors that could cause us not to realize our goals or meet our expectations.   C OMPETITIVE E NVIRONMENT   The operating environment for the food retailing industry continues to be characterized by intense price competition, aggressive expansion, increasing fragmentation of retail and online formats, entry of non -traditional competitors and market consolidation.  We have developed a strategic plan that we believe provides a balanced approach that will enable us to meet the wide -ranging needs and expectations of our customers in this challenging economic environment.  However, the nature and extent to which our competitors implement various pricing and promotional activities in response to increasing competition, including our execution of our strategic plan, and our response to these competitive actions, can adversely affect our profitability.  Our profitability and growth have been, and could continue to be, adversely affected by changes in the overall economic environment that affect consumer spending, including discretionary spending.   P RODUCT S AFETY   Customers count on Kroger to provide them with safe food and drugs and other merchandise.  Concerns regarding the safety of the products that we sell could cause shoppers to avoid purchasing certain products from us, or to seek alternative sources of supply even if the basis for the concern is outside of our control.  Any lost confidence on the part of our customers would be difficult and costly to reestablish.  Any issue regarding the safety of items we sell, regardless of the cause, could have a substantial and adverse effect on our reputation, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   LABOR R ELATIONS   A majority of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with unions, and our relationship with those unions, including a prolonged work stoppage affecting a substantial number of locations, could have a material adverse effect on our results.   We are a party to approximately 350 collective bargaining agreements.  Upon the expiration of our collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages by the affected workers could occur if we are unable to negotiate new contracts with labor unions.  A prolonged work stoppage affecting a substantial number of locations could have a material adverse effect on our results.  Further, if we are unable to control health care, pension and wage costs, or if we have insufficient operational flexibility under our collective bargaining agreements, we may experience increased operating costs and an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   DATA AND TECHNOLOGY   Our business is increasingly dependent on information technology systems that are complex and vital to continuing operations. If we were to experience difficulties maintaining or operating existing systems or implementing new systems, we could incur significant losses due to disruptions in our operations.   Through our sales and marketing activities, we collect and store some personal information that our customers provide to us. We also gather and retain information about our associates in the normal course of business. Under certain circumstances, we may share information with vendors that assist us in conducting our business, as required by law, or otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy. Although we have implemented procedures to protect our information, we cannot be certain that all of our systems are entirely free from vulnerability to attack. Computer hackers may attempt to penetrate our or our vendors ’ network security and, if successful, misappropriate confidential customer or business information. In addition, a Kroger associate, a contractor or other third party with whom we do business may attempt to circumvent our security measures in order to obtain information or may inadvertently cause a breach involving information. Loss of customer or business information could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and expose us to claims from customers, financial institutions, regulatory authorities, payment card associations, associates, and other persons, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, compliance with tougher privacy and information security laws and standards may result in significant expense due to increased investment in technology and the development of new operational processes.   4   Additionally, on October 1, 2015, the payment card industry shifted liability for certain transactions to retailers who are not able to accept Europay, MasterCard, Visa (EMV) transactions. As a result, before the implementation of the EMV technology is complete, we may be liable for costs incurred by payment card issuing banks and other third parties or subject to fines and higher transaction fees, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or cash flows.   I NDEBTEDNESS   Our indebtedness could reduce our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, mergers and acquisitions or other purposes and could make us vulnerable to future economic downturns as well as competitive pressures.  If debt markets do not permit us to refinance certain maturing debt, we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness.  Changes in our credit ratings, or in the interest rate environment, could have an adverse effect on our financing costs and structure.   L EGAL P ROCEEDINGS AND I NSURANCE   From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings, including matters involving personnel and employment issues, personal injury, antitrust claims and other proceedings.  Other legal proceedings purport to be brought as class actions on behalf of similarly situated parties.  Some of these proceedings could result in a substantial loss to Kroger.  We estimate our exposure to these legal proceedings and establish accruals for the estimated liabilities, where it is reasonably possible to estimate and where an adverse outcome is probable.  Assessing and predicting the outcome of these matters involves substantial uncertainties.  Adverse outcomes in these legal proceedings, or changes in our evaluations or predictions about the proceedings, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.  Please also refer to the “Legal Proceedings ” section in Item 3 and the “Litigation ” section in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   We use a combination of insurance and self -insurance to provide for potential liability for workers ’ compensation, automobile and general liability, property, director and officers ’ liability, and employee health care benefits.  Any actuarial projection of losses is subject to a high degree of variability.   Changes in legal claims, trends and interpretations, variability in inflation rates, changes in the nature and method of claims settlement, benefit level changes due to changes in applicable laws, insolvency of insurance carriers, and changes in discount rates could all affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   M ULTI - E MPLOYER P ENSION O BLIGATIONS   As discussed in more detail below in “Management ’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies -Multi -Employer Pension Plans ,” Kroger contributes to several multi -employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements with unions representing employees covered by those agreements.  We believe that the present value of actuarially accrued liabilities in most of these multi -employer plans substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits, and we expect that Kroger ’s contributions to those funds will increase over the next few years.  A significant increase to those funding requirements could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  Despite the fact that the pension obligations of these funds are not the liability or responsibility of the Company, except as noted below, there is a risk that the agencies that rate our outstanding debt instruments could view the underfunded nature of these plans unfavorably when determining their ratings on our debt securities.  Any downgrading of our debt ratings likely would adversely affect our cost of borrowing and access to capital.   We also currently bear the investment risk of one of the larger multi -employer pension plans in which we participate.  In addition, we have been designated as the named fiduciary of this fund with sole investment authority of the assets of the fund.  If investment results fail to meet our expectations, we could be  required to make additional contributions to fund a portion of or the entire shortfall, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   5   I NTEGRATION OF N EW B USINESS   We enter into mergers and acquisitions with expected benefits including, among other things, operating efficiencies, procurement savings, innovation, sharing of best practices and increased market share that may allow for future growth.  Achieving the anticipated benefits may be subject to a number of significant challenges and uncertainties, including, without limitation, whether unique corporate cultures will work collaboratively in an efficient and effective manner, the coordination of geographically separate organizations, the possibility of imprecise assumptions underlying expectations regarding potential synergies and the integration process, unforeseen expenses and delays, and competitive factors in the marketplace.  We could also encounter unforeseen transaction and integration -related costs or other circumstances such as unforeseen liabilities or other issues.  Many of these potential circumstances are outside of our control and any of them could result in increased costs, decreased revenue, decreased synergies and the diversion of management time and attention.  If we are unable to achieve our objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the expected benefits may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, or cash flows.   F UEL   We sell a significant amount of fuel, which could face increased regulation and demand could be affected by concerns about the effect of emissions on the environment as well as retail price increases.  We are unable to predict future regulations, environmental effects, political unrest, acts of terrorism and other matters that may affect the cost and availability of fuel, and how our customers will react, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   E CONOMIC C ONDITIONS   Our operating results could be materially impacted by changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including discretionary spending.  Future economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment levels, business conditions, changes in housing market conditions, the availability of credit, interest rates, tax rates, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other matters could reduce consumer spending.  Increased fuel prices could also have an effect on consumer spending and on our costs of producing and procuring products that we sell.  We are unable to predict how the global economy and financial markets will perform.  If the global economy and financial markets do not perform as we expect, it could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   W EATHER AND N ATURAL D ISASTERS   A large number of our stores and distribution facilities are geographically located in areas that are susceptible to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts and earthquakes.  Weather conditions and natural disasters could disrupt our operations at one or more of our facilities, interrupt the delivery of products to our stores, substantially increase the cost of products, including supplies and materials and substantially increase the cost of energy needed to operate our facilities or deliver products to our facilities.  Adverse weather and natural disasters could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   G OVERNMENT R EGULATION   Our stores are subject to various laws, regulations, and administrative practices that affect our business. We must comply with numerous provisions regulating, among other things, health and sanitation standards, food labeling and safety, equal employment opportunity, minimum wages, and licensing for the sale of food, drugs, and alcoholic beverages. We cannot predict future laws, regulations, interpretations, administrative orders, or applications, or the effect they will have on our operations. They could, however, significantly increase the cost of doing business.  They also could require the reformulation of some of the products that we sell (or manufacture for sale to third parties) to meet new standards.  We also could be required to recall or discontinue the sale of products that cannot be reformulated.  These changes could result in additional record keeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling, or scientific substantiation.  Any or all of these requirements could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   6   ITEM 1B.                UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.   None.   ITEM 2.                         PROPERTIES.   As of January 30, 2016, we operated approximately 4,000 owned or leased supermarkets, convenience stores, fine jewelry stores, distribution warehouses and food production plants through divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates. These facilities are located throughout the United States.

While our current strategy emphasizes ownership of store real estate, a majority of the properties used to conduct our business are leased.   We generally own store equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements, as well as processing and food production equipment. The total cost of our owned assets and capitalized leases at January 30, 2016, was $37.7 billion while the accumulated depreciation was $18.1 billion.   Leased premises generally have base terms ranging from ten -to -twenty years with renewal options for additional periods. Some options provide the right to purchase the property after the conclusion of the lease term. Store rentals are normally payable monthly at a stated amount or at a guaranteed minimum amount plus a percentage of sales over a stated dollar volume. Rentals for the distribution, food production and miscellaneous facilities generally are payable monthly at stated amounts.  For additional information on lease obligations, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   ITEM 3.                         LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.   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, we believe that any resulting liability will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.   We continually evaluate our exposure to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation and believe we have 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 involves substantial uncertainties.  We currently believe that the aggregate range of loss for our exposures is not material.  It remains possible that despite our current belief, material differences in actual outcomes or changes in our evaluation or predictions could arise that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.   ITEM 4.                         MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.   Not applicable.   7   PART II   ITEM 5.                         MARKET FOR REGISTRANT ’ S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.   (a)   The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for each full quarterly period of the two most recently completed fiscal years.  All share and per share amounts presented are reflective of the two -for -one stock split that began trading at the split adjusted price on July 14, 2015.   C OMMON SHARE PRICE RANGE   2015 2014 Quarter High Low High Low   Main trading market: New York Stock Exchange (Symbol KR)   Number of shareholders of record at fiscal year - end 2015:                       29,102   Number of shareholders of record at March 23, 2016:           28,959   During 2015, we paid two quarterly cash dividends of $0.0925 per share and two quarterly cash dividends of $0.105 per share.  During 2014, we paid three quarterly cash dividends of $0.0825 per share and one quarterly cash dividend of $0.0925 per share.  On March 1, 2016, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.105 per share.  On March 10, 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors have declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.105 per share, payable on June 1, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2016.  We currently expect to continue to pay comparable cash dividends on a quarterly basis depending on our earnings and other factors.   For information on securities authorized for issuance under our existing equity compensation plans, see Item 12 under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. ”   8   PERFORMANCE GRAPH   Set forth below is a line graph comparing the five -year cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares, based on the market price of the common shares and assuming reinvestment of dividends, with the cumulative total return of companies in the Standard & Poor ’s 500 Stock Index and a peer group composed of food and drug companies.       Kroger ’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31.   *                 Total assumes $100 invested on January 30, 2011, in The Kroger Co., S&P 500 Index, and the Peer Group, with reinvestment of dividends.   **           The Peer Group consists of Costco Wholesale Corp., CVS Caremark Corp, Etablissements Delhaize Freres Et Cie Le Lion (Groupe Delhaize), Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (included through March 13, 2012 when it became private after emerging from bankruptcy), 1 $ 38.87 $ 34.05 $ 23.95 $ 17.57 2 $ 38.65 $ 37.09 $ 25.75 $ 23.25 3 $ 38.73 $ 27.32 $ 29.08 $ 24.99 4 $ 42.75 $ 36.00 $ 35.03 $ 28.64 Base Period INDEXED RETURNS Years Ending Company Name/Index 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 The Kroger Co. 100 116.26 136.28 179.49 348.32 395.78 S&P 500 Index 100 105.33 123.87 149.02 170.22 169.08 Peer Group 100 105.11 126.94 143.63 173.96 161.13 st nd rd th Koninklijke Ahold NV, Safeway, Inc. (included through January 29, 2015 when it was acquired by AB Acquisition LLC), Supervalu Inc., Target Corp., Tesco plc, Wal -Mart Stores Inc., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (formerly, Walgreen Co.), Whole Foods Market Inc. and Winn - Dixie Stores, Inc. (included through March 9, 2012 when it became a wholly -owned subsidiary of Bi -Lo Holdings).   Data supplied by Standard & Poor ’s.   The foregoing Performance Graph will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing, absent an express reference thereto.   9   (c)   The following table presents information on our purchases of our common shares during the fourth quarter of 2015.   ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES       10   ITEM 6.                         SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.   The following table presents our selected consolidated financial data for each of the last five fiscal years.  Refer to Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of business combinations and their effect on each of the last three fiscal years ’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and the last two fiscal years ’ Consolidated Balance Sheets.  All share and per share amounts presented are reflective of the two -for -one stock split that began trading at the split adjusted price on July 14, 2015.   Period (1) Total Number of Shares Purchased (2) Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3) Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (4) (in millions) First period - four weeks November 8, 2015 to December 5, 2015 94,717 $ 37.89 74,819 $ 500 Second period - four weeks December 6, 2015 to January 2, 2016 906,648 $ 41.47 831,783 $ 500 Third period — four weeks January 3, 2016 to January 30, 2016 213,721 $ 39.73 169,598 $ 500                     Total 1,215,086 $ 40.88 1,076,200 $ 500 (1) The reported periods conform to our fiscal calendar composed of thirteen 28 -day periods. The fourth quarter of 2015 contained three 28 -day periods.     (2) Includes (i) shares repurchased under a program announced on December 6, 1999 to repurchase common shares to reduce dilution resulting from our employee stock option and long -term incentive plans, under which repurchases are limited to proceeds received from exercises of stock options and the tax benefits associated therewith (the “1999 Repurchase Program ” ), and (ii) 138,886 shares that were surrendered to the Company by participants under our long -term incentive plans to pay for taxes on restricted stock awards.     (3) Represents shares repurchased under the 1999 Repurchase Program.     (4) The amounts shown in this column reflect the amount remaining under the $500 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors and announced on June 25, 2015 (the “2015 Repurchase Program ” ). Amounts available under the 1999 Repurchase Program are dependent upon option exercise activity. The 2015 Repurchase Program and the 1999 Repurchase Program do not have an expiration date but may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. On March 10, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a new $500 million share repurchase program to supplement the 2015 Repurchase Program, which is expected to be exhausted by the end of the second quarter of 2016. Fiscal Years Ended January 30, 2016 (52 weeks) (1) January 31, 2015 (52 weeks) (1) February 1, 2014 (52 weeks) (1) February 2, 2013 (53 weeks) January 28, 2012 (52 weeks) (In millions, except per share amounts) Sales $ 109,830 $ 108,465 $ 98,375 $ 96,619 $ 90,269 Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 2,049 1,747 1,531 1,508 596 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. 2,039 1,728 1,519 1,497 602 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted   (1)                                  Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. ( “Harris Teeter ” ) is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheets for 2015, 2014 and 2013 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2015 and 2014.  Due to the timing of the merger closing late in fiscal year 2013, its results of operations were not material to our consolidated results of operations for 2013.   11   ITEM 7.                         MANAGEMENT ’ S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.   The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of The Kroger Co. should be read in conjunction with the “Forward -looking Statements ” section set forth in Part I, the “Risk Factors ” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I and the “Outlook ” section below.   O UR B USINESS   The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  Kroger is one of the nation ’s largest retailers, as measured by revenue, operating 2,778 supermarket and multi -department stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia.  Of these stores, 1,387 have fuel centers.  We also operate 784 convenience stores, either directly or through franchisees, 323 fine jewelry stores and an online retailer.   We operate 38 food production plants, primarily bakeries and dairies, which supply approximately 40% of the corporate brand units sold in our supermarkets.   Our revenues are earned and cash is generated as consumer products are sold to customers in our stores.  We earn income predominately by selling products at price levels that produce revenues in excess of the costs we incur to make these products available to our customers.  Such costs include procurement and distribution costs, facility occupancy and operational costs, and overhead expenses.  Our retail operations, which represent over 99% of our consolidated sales and EBITDA, is our only reportable segment.   On December 18, 2015, we closed our merger with Roundy ’s by purchasing 100% of the Roundy ’s outstanding common stock for $3.60 per share and assuming Roundy ’s outstanding debt, for a purchase price of $866 million.  Roundy ’s is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheets for 2015 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the last six weeks of 2015.  Certain year -over -year comparisons will be affected as a result.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to our merger with Roundy ’s.   On August 18, 2014, we closed our merger with Vitacost.com by purchasing 100% of the Vitacost.com outstanding common stock for $8.00 per share or $287 million.  Vitacost.com is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2014 and 2015.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to our merger with Vitacost.com.   On January 28, 2014, we closed our merger with Harris Teeter by purchasing 100% of the Harris Teeter outstanding common stock for approximately $2.4 billion.  Harris Teeter is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheets for 2014 and 2015 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2014 and 2015.  Due to the timing of the merger closing late in fiscal year 2013, its results of operations were not material to our consolidated results of operations for 2013.  Certain year -over -year comparisons will be affected as a result.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to our merger with Harris Teeter.   O UR 2015 P ERFORMANCE   We achieved outstanding results in 2015.  Our business strategy continues to resonate with a full range of customers and our results reflect the balance we seek to achieve across our business including positive identical supermarket sales growth, increases in loyal household count, and good cost control, as well as growth in net earnings and net earnings per diluted share.  Our 2015 net earnings were $2.0 billion or $2.06 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 billion, or $1.72 per diluted share for 2014.  All share and per share amounts presented are reflective of the two -for -one stock split that began trading at the split adjusted price on July 14, 2015.   Our net earnings for 2015 include a $110 million expense to operating, general, and administrative ( “ OG&A ” ) for certain contributions to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union ( “UFCW ” ) Consolidated Pension Plan ( “2015 UFCW Contributions ” ) made during the third and fourth quarters of 2015.  In addition, our net earnings for 2015 include a lower last -in, first -out ( “ LIFO ” ) charge compared to 2014.  Net earnings for 2014 include a net $39 million after - tax charge for an $87 million ($56 million after -tax) charge to OG&A due to the commitments and withdrawal liabilities arising from restructuring of certain multi -employer obligations ( “ 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation ” ) to help stabilize associates ’ future pension benefits, offset partially by the benefits from certain tax items of $17 million ( “2014 Adjusted Items ” ).  In addition, our net earnings for 2014 include unusually high fuel margins, partially offset by a LIFO charge that was significantly higher than 2013 and $140 million in   12 common share 2.06 1.72 1.45 1.39 0.51 Total assets 33,897 30,497 29,281 24,634 23,454 Long -term liabilities, including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations 14,123 13,663 13,181 9,359 10,405 Total shareholders ’ equity — The Kroger Co. 6,811 5,412 5,384 4,207 3,981 Cash dividends per common share 0.395 0.340 0.308 0.248 0.215   contributions charged to OG&A expenses for the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan ($55 million) and The Kroger Co. Foundation ($85 million) (“2014 Contributions ” ).  The 2015 and 2014 contributions to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan was to further fund the plan.  The $85 million contribution, in 2014, to The Kroger Co. Foundation will enable it to continue to support causes such as hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families and local community organizations.  Fuel margin per gallon was $0.19 in 2014, compared to $0.14 in 2013.  Our net earnings for 2013 include a net benefit of $23 million, which includes benefits from certain tax items of $40 million, offset partially by costs of $11 million in interest and $16 million in OG&A expenses ($17 million after -tax) related to our merger with Harris Teeter ( “2013 Adjusted Items ” ).   Our 2015 net earnings were $2.0 billion or $2.06 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 billion, or $1.72 per diluted share for 2014.  Net earnings for 2015 totaled $2.0 billion, or $2.06 per diluted share, compared to net earnings in 2014 of $1.8 billion, or $1.76 per diluted share, excluding the 2014 Adjusted Items.  We believe adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per diluted share present a more accurate year -over -year comparison of our financial results because the 2014 Adjusted Items were not the result of our normal operations.  Our net earnings per diluted share for 2015 represent a 17% increase, compared to 2014 adjusted net earnings per diluted share.  Please refer to the “Net Earnings ” section of MD&A for more information.   Our identical supermarket sales increased 5.0%, excluding fuel, in 2015, compared to 2014.  We have achieved 49 consecutive quarters of positive identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel.  As we continue to outpace many of our competitors on identical supermarket sales growth, we continue to gain market share.  We focus on identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel, as it is a key performance target for our long -term growth strategy.   Increasing market share is an important part of our long -term strategy as it best reflects how our products and services resonate with customers.  Market share growth allows us to spread the fixed costs in our business over a wider revenue base.  Our fundamental operating philosophy is to maintain and increase market share by offering customers good prices and superior products and service.  Based on Nielsen POS+ data, our overall market share of the products we sell in markets in which we operate increased by approximately 40 basis points in 2015.  This data also indicates that our market share increased in 17 markets and declined in one.  These market share results reflect our long -term strategy of market share growth.   R ESULTS OF O PERATIONS   The following discussion summarizes our operating results for 2015 compared to 2014 and for 2014 compared to 2013.  Comparability is affected by income and expense items that fluctuated significantly between and among the periods, our merger with Roundy ’s in late 2015 and our merger with Harris Teeter in late 2013.  All share and per share amounts presented below are reflective of the two -for -one stock split that began trading at the split adjusted price on July 14, 2015.   Management believes adjusted net earnings (and adjusted net earnings per diluted share) are useful metrics to investors and analysts because they more accurately reflect our day -to -day business operations than do the generally accepted accounting principle ( “GAAP ” ) measures of net earnings and net earnings per diluted share.  Adjusted net earnings (and adjusted net earnings per diluted share) are non -generally accepted accounting principle ( “non -GAAP ” ) financial measures and should not be considered alternatives to net earnings (and net earnings per diluted share) or any other GAAP measure of performance.  Adjusted net earnings (and adjusted net earnings per diluted share) should not be viewed in isolation or considered substitutes for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  Management uses adjusted net earnings (and adjusted net earnings per diluted share) in evaluating our results of operations as it believes these measures are more meaningful indicators of operating performance since, as adjusted, those earnings relate more directly to our day -to -day operations.  Management also uses adjusted net earnings (and adjusted net earnings per diluted share) as a performance metric for management incentive programs, and to measure our progress against internal budgets and targets.   Net Earnings   Net earnings totaled $2.0 billion in 2015, $1.7 billion in 2014 and $1.5 billion in 2013.  Net earnings improved in 2015, compared to net earnings in 2014, due to an increase in operating profit, partially offset by an increase in income tax expense.  Operating profit increased in 2015, compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in first -in, first -out ( “ FIFO ” ) non -fuel operating profit, lower charges for total contributions to The Kroger Co. Foundation, UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, the charge related to the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation and a lower LIFO charge which was $28 million (pre -tax), compared to a LIFO charge of $147 million (pre -tax) in 2014, partially offset by a decrease in fuel operating profit and continued investments in lower prices for our customers.  The decrease in fuel operating profit was primarily due to a decrease in fuel margin per gallon to $0.17 in 2015, compared to $0.19 in 2014, partially offset by an increase in fuel gallons sold.  C ontinued investments in lower prices for our customers includes our pharmacy department, which experienced high levels of inflation that were not fully passed on to the customer in 2015 .    13   Net earnings improved in 2014, compared to net earnings in 2013, due to an increase in operating profit, partially offset by increases in interest and income tax expense.  Operating profit increased in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily due to an increase in FIFO non -fuel operating profit, excluding Harris Teeter, the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and an increase in fuel operating profit, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers, the 2014 Contributions, the charge related to the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation and a higher LIFO charge which was $147 million (pre -tax), compared to a LIFO charge of $52 million (pre - tax) in 2013.   The net earnings for 2015 do not include any non -GAAP adjustments.  The net earnings for 2014 include a net charge of $39 million, after tax, related to the 2014 Adjusted Items.  The net earnings for 2013 include a net benefit of $23 million, after tax, related to the 2013 Adjusted Items.  Excluding these benefits and charges for Adjusted Items for 2014 and 2013, adjusted net earnings were $2.0 billion in 2015, $1.8 billion in 2014 and $1.5 billion in 2013.  2015 net earnings improved, compared to adjusted net earnings in 2014, due to an increase in FIFO non -fuel operating profit, lower charges for total contributions to The Kroger Co. Foundation and UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan and a lower LIFO charge which was $28 million (pre -tax), compared to a LIFO charge of $147 million (pre - tax) in 2014 , partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers, a decrease in fuel operating profit and an increase in income tax expense.  Continued investments in lower prices for our customers includes our pharmacy department, which experienced high levels of inflation that were not fully passed on to the customer in 2015.  2014 adjusted net earnings improved, compared to adjusted net earnings in 2013, due to an increase in FIFO non -fuel operating profit, excluding Harris Teeter, the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and an increase in fuel operating profit, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers, the 2014 Contributions, increases in interest and income tax expense and a higher LIFO charge which was $147 million (pre - tax), compared to a LIFO charge of $52 million (pre - tax) in 2013.   Net earnings per diluted share totaled $2.06 in 2015, $1.72 in 2014 and $1.45 in 2013.  Net earnings per diluted share in 2015, compared to 2014, increased primarily due to fewer shares outstanding as a result of the repurchase of Kroger common shares and an increase in net earnings.  Net earnings per diluted share in 2014, compared to 2013, increased primarily due to fewer shares outstanding as a result of the repurchase of Kroger common shares and an increase in net earnings.   There were no adjustment items in 2015, but excluding the 2014 and 2013 Adjusted Items, adjusted net earnings per diluted share totaled $1.76 in 2014 and $1.43 in 2013.  Net earnings per diluted share in 2015, compared to adjusted net earnings per diluted share in 2014, increased primarily due to fewer shares outstanding as a result of the repurchase of Kroger common shares and an increase in adjusted net earnings.  Adjusted net earnings per diluted share in 2014, compared to adjusted net earnings per diluted share in 2013, increased primarily due to fewer shares outstanding as a result of the repurchase of Kroger common shares and an increase in adjusted net earnings.   The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. to net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. excluding Adjusted Items for 2014 and 2013 and a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share to the net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share excluding Adjusted Items for 2014 and 2013.  In 2015, we did not have any adjustment items that affect net earnings or net earnings per diluted share.   Net Earnings per Diluted Share excluding the Adjusted Items (in millions, except per share amounts)     (1)          The amounts presented represent the net earnings per diluted common share effect of each adjusted item.   14   Sales   Total Sales (in millions)     (1)          Other sales primarily relate to sales at convenience stores, excluding fuel; jewelry stores; food production plants to outside customers; variable interest entities; a specialty pharmacy; in -store health clinics; sales on digital coupon services; and online sales by Vitacost.com. (2)          This column represents the sales percentage increases in 2015, compared to 2014. (3)          This column represents the sales percentage increases in 2014, compared to 2013.   Total sales increased in 2015, compared to 2014, by 1.3%.  This increase in 2015 total sales, compared to 2014, was primarily due to an increase in identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, of 5.0%.  Total sales also increased due to the inclusion of Roundy ’s sales, due to our merger, for the 2015 2014 2013 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 2,039 $ 1,728 $ 1,519 2014 Adjusted Items — 39 — 2013 Adjusted Items — — ( 23 ) Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. excluding the adjustment items above $ 2,039 $ 1,767 $ 1,496                 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share $ 2.06 $ 1.72 $ 1.45 2014 Adjusted Items(1) — 0.04 — 2013 Adjusted Items(1) — — ( 0.02 ) Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share excluding the adjustment items above $ 2.06 $ 1.76 $ 1.43                 Average numbers of common shares used in diluted calculation 980 993 1,040 2015 Percentage Increase(2) 2014 Percentage Increase(3) 2013 Total supermarket sales without fuel $ 91,310 5.8 % $  86,281 12.5 % $  76,666 Fuel sales 14,804 (21.5 )% 18,850 (0.6 )% 18,962 Other sales(1) 3,716 11.5 % 3,334 21.4 % 2,747                         Total sales $ 109,830 1.3 % $  108,465 10.3 % $ 98,375 period of December 18, 2015 to January 30, 2016.  Identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, for 2015, compared to 2014, increased primarily due to an increase in the number of households shopping with us, an increase in visits per household, changes in product mix and product cost inflation.  Total fuel sales decreased in 2015, compared to 2014, primarily due to a 26.7% decrease in the average retail fuel price, partially offset by an increase in fuel gallons sold of 7.1%.   Total sales increased in 2014, compared to 2013, by 10.3%.  This increase in 2014 total sales, compared to 2013, was primarily due to our merger with Harris Teeter, which closed on January 28, 2014, and an increase in identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, of 5.2%.  Identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel for 2014, compared to 2013, increased primarily due to an increase in the number of households shopping with us, an increase in visits per household and product cost inflation.  Total fuel sales decreased in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily due to a 6.8% decrease in the average retail fuel price, partially offset by an increase in fuel gallons sold of 6.6%.   We define a supermarket as identical when it has been in operation without expansion or relocation for five full quarters.  Although identical supermarket sales is a relatively standard term, numerous methods exist for calculating identical supermarket sales growth.  As a result, the method used by our management to calculate identical supermarket sales may differ from methods other companies use to calculate identical supermarket sales.  We urge you to understand the methods used by other companies to calculate identical supermarket sales before comparing our identical supermarket sales to those of other such companies.  Fuel discounts received at our fuel centers and earned based on in -store purchases are included in all of the supermarket identical sales results calculations illustrated below and reduce our identical supermarket sales results.  Differences between total supermarket sales and identical supermarket sales primarily relate to changes in supermarket square footage.  Identical supermarket sales include sales from all departments at identical Fred Meyer multi -department stores and include Roundy ’s sales for the last six weeks of fiscal 2015 for stores that are identical as if they were part of the Company in the prior year.  We calculate annualized identical supermarket sales by adding together four quarters of identical supermarket sales.  Our identical supermarket sales results are summarized in the table below.   Identical Supermarket Sales (dollars in millions)     15   Gross Margin and FIFO Gross Margin   We calculate gross margin as sales less merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation expenses.  Merchandise costs exclude depreciation and rent expenses.  Our gross margin rates, as a percentage of sales, were 22.16% in 2015, 21.16% in 2014 and 20.57% in 2013.  The increase in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from a decrease in retail fuel sales and reductions in transportation costs and a decrease in our LIFO charge, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers and increased shrink costs, as a percentage of sales.  The increase in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter, an increase in fuel gross margin rate and a reduction in warehouse and transportation costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers and an increase in our LIFO charge, as a percentage of sales.  The merger with Harris Teeter, which closed late in fiscal year 2013, had a positive effect on our gross margin rate in 2014 since Harris Teeter has a higher gross margin rate as compared to total Company without Harris Teeter.  The increase in fuel gross margin rate for 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from an increase in fuel margin per gallon sold of $0.19 in 2014, compared to $0.14 in 2013.  Our retail fuel operations lower our gross margin rate, as a percentage of sales, due to the very low gross margin on retail fuel sales as compared to non -fuel sales.  A lower growth rate in retail fuel sales, as compared to the growth rate for the total Company, increases the gross margin rates, as a percentage of sales, when compared to the prior year.   We calculate FIFO gross margin as sales less merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation expenses, but excluding the LIFO charge.  Merchandise costs exclude depreciation and rent expenses.  Our LIFO charge was $28 million in 2015, $147 million in 2014 and $52 million in 2013.  FIFO gross margin is a non -GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to gross margin or any other GAAP measure of performance.  FIFO gross margin should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  FIFO gross margin is an important measure used by management to evaluate merchandising and operational effectiveness.  Management believes FIFO gross margin is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures our day -to - day merchandising and operational effectiveness.   Our FIFO gross margin rates, as a percentage of sales, were 22.18% in 2015, 21.30% in 2014 and 20.62% in 2013.  Our retail fuel operations lower our FIFO gross margin rate, as a percentage of sales, due to the very low FIFO gross margin rate on retail fuel as compared to non -fuel sales.  Excluding the effect of retail fuel operations, our FIFO gross margin rate decreased four basis points in 2015, as a percentage of sales, compared to 2014.  The decrease in FIFO gross margin rates, excluding retail fuel, in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from continued investments in lower prices for our customers and increased shrink costs, partially offset by a reduction in transportation costs, as a percentage of sales.  Excluding the effect of retail fuel, our FIFO gross margin rate decreased three basis points in 2014, as a percentage of sales, compared to 2013.  The decrease in FIFO gross margin rates, excluding retail fuel, in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from continued investments in lower prices for our customers, offset partially by the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and a reduction of warehouse and transportation costs, as a percentage of sales.   LIFO Charge   The LIFO charge was $28 million in 2015, $147 million in 2014 and $52 million in 2013.  In 2015, we experienced lower product cost inflation, 2015 2014 Including supermarket fuel centers $ 98,916 $ 97,813 Excluding supermarket fuel centers $ 87,553 $ 83,349 Including supermarket fuel centers 1.1 % 4.2 % Excluding supermarket fuel centers 5.0 % 5.2 % compared to 2014, which resulted in a lower LIFO charge.  In 2015, our LIFO charge primarily resulted from annualized product cost inflation related to pharmacy, and was partially offset by annualized product cost deflation related to meat and dairy.  In 2014, we experienced higher product cost inflation, compared to 2013, which resulted in a higher LIFO charge.  In 2014, our LIFO charge primarily resulted from annualized product cost inflation related to pharmacy, grocery, deli, meat and seafood.  In 2013, our LIFO charge resulted primarily from an annualized product cost inflation related to meat, seafood and pharmacy.   Operating, General and Administrative Expenses   OG&A expenses consist primarily of employee -related costs such as wages, health care benefits and retirement plan costs, utilities and credit card fees.  Rent expense, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense are not included in OG&A.   OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 16.34% in 2015, 15.82% in 2014 and 15.45% in 2013.  The increase in OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from a decrease in retail fuel sales, increases in EMV chargebacks, company sponsored pension, healthcare and incentive plan costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by increased supermarket sales, the 2014 Multi - Employer Pension Plan Obligation, lower charges for total contributions to The Kroger Foundation   16   and UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, productivity improvements and effective cost controls at the store level .  The increase in OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from the 2014 Contributions, the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation, the effect of fuel, the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and increases in credit card fees and incentive plan costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by increased supermarket sales growth, productivity improvements and effective cost controls at the store level.  Retail fuel sales lower our OG&A rate due to the very low OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales, of retail fuel sales compared to non -fuel sales.  The merger with Harris Teeter, which closed late in fiscal year 2013, increased our OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales, since Harris Teeter has a higher OG&A rate as compared to the total Company without Harris Teeter.   Our retail fuel operations reduce our overall OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales, due to the very low OG&A rate on retail fuel sales as compared to non -fuel sales.  OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales excluding fuel, the 2015 UFCW Contributions, the 2014 Contributions and the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation, decreased 9 basis points, compared to 2014.  The decrease in our adjusted OG&A rate in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from increased supermarket sales, productivity improvements and effective cost controls at the store level, partially offset by increases in EMV chargebacks , company sponsored pension, healthcare and incentive plan costs, as a percentage of sales.  OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales excluding fuel, the 2014 Contributions and the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation, decreased 19 basis points in 2014, compared to 2013, adjusted for the 2013 Adjusted Items.  The decrease in our adjusted OG&A rate in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from increased supermarket sales growth, productivity improvements and effective cost controls at the store level, offset partially by the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and increases in credit card fees and incentive plan costs, as a percentage of sales.   Rent Expense   Rent expense was $723 million in 2015, compared to $707 million in 2014 and $613 million in 2013.  Rent expense, as a percentage of sales, was 0.66% in 2015, compared to 0.65% in 2014 and 0.62% in 2013.  Rent expense increased in 2015, compared to 2014, due to the effect of our merger with Roundy ’s, partially offset by our continued emphasis on owning rather than leasing, whenever possible.  Rent expense, as a percentage of sales, in 2015 was consistent with 2014 due to the effect of our merger with Roundy ’s, partially offset by our continued emphasis to own rather than lease, whenever possible, and the benefit of increased sales.  The increase in rent expense, as a percentage of sales, in 2014, compared to 2013, is due to the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter, partially offset by our continued emphasis to own rather than lease, whenever possible, and the benefit of increased sales.  The merger with Harris Teeter, which closed late in fiscal year 2013, increased rent expense, as a percentage of sales, since Harris Teeter has a higher rent expense rate compared to the total Company without Harris Teeter.   Depreciation and Amortization Expense   Depreciation and amortization expense was $2.1 billion, compared to $1.9 billion in 2014 and $1.7 billion in 2013.  Depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, was 1.90% in 2015, 1.80% in 2014 and 1.73% in 2013.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for 2015, compared to 2014, was the result of additional depreciation due to our merger with Roundy ’s and on capital investments, including mergers and lease buyouts, of $3.4 billion, excluding Roundy ’s.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, from 2015, compared to 2014, is primarily due to the additional depreciation resulting from our increased capital investments, including mergers and lease buyouts in 2015, compared to 2014.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for 2014, compared to 2013, in total dollars, was due to the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and our increased spending in capital investments, including mergers and lease buyouts, of $3.1 billion in 2014.   The increase in depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, from 2014, compared to 2013, is primarily due to the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and our increased spending in capital investments, partially offset by increased supermarket sales.  The merger with Harris Teeter, which closed late in fiscal year 2013, increased our depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, since Harris Teeter has a higher depreciation expense rate as compared to the total Company without Harris Teeter.   Operating Profit and Adjusted FIFO Operating Profit   Operating profit was $3.6 billion in 2015, $3.1 billion in 2014 and $2.7 billion in 2013.  Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, was 3.26% in 2015, 2.89% in 2014 and 2.77% in 2013.  Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, increased 37 basis points in 2015, compared to 2014, primarily from increased supermarket sales, a LIFO charge that was significantly lower in 2015, lower charges for total contributions to The Kroger Co. Foundation and UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Obligation, productivity improvements, effective cost controls at the store level, and reductions in transportation costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by the effect of our merger with Roundy ’s, continued investments in lower prices for our customers, a decrease in operating profit from our fuel operations, an increase in depreciation and amortization expense and increases in EMV   17   chargebacks, company sponsored pension, healthcare, incentive plan and shrink costs, as a percentage of sales.  The decrease in operating profit from our fuel operations for 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from a decrease in the average margin per gallon of fuel sold, partially offset by an increase in fuel gallons sold .  Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, increased 12 basis points in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily from the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter, an increase in fuel gross margin rate and a reduction in warehouse and transportation costs, rent and depreciation and amortization expenses, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers and an increase in the LIFO charge, as a percentage of sales.   We calculate FIFO operating profit as operating profit excluding the LIFO charge.  FIFO operating profit is a non -GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating profit or any other GAAP measure of performance.  FIFO operating profit should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  FIFO operating profit is an important measure used by management to evaluate operational effectiveness.  Management believes FIFO operating profit is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures our day -to -day merchandising and operational effectiveness.  Since fuel discounts are earned based on in -store purchases, fuel operating profit does not include fuel discounts, which are allocated to our in -store supermarket location departments.  We also derive OG&A, rent and depreciation and amortization expenses through the use of estimated allocations in the calculation of fuel operating profit.   FIFO operating profit was $3.6 billion in 2015, $3.3 billion in 2014 and $2.8 billion in 2013.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales, was 3.28% in 2015, 3.03% in 2014 and 2.82% in 2013.  FIFO operating profit, excluding the 2015 UFCW Contributions, the 2014 Contributions, the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation and 2013 Adjusted Items, was $3.7 billion in 2015, $3.5 billion in 2014 and $2.8 billion in 2013.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales excluding the 2015 UFCW Contributions, the 2014 Contributions, the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation and 2013 Adjusted Items, was 3.38% in 2015, 3.24% in 2014 and 2.84% in 2013.   Retail fuel sales lower our overall FIFO operating profit rate due to the very low FIFO operating profit rate, as a percentage of sales, of retail fuel sales compared to non -fuel sales.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales excluding fuel, the 2015 UFCW Contributions, the 2014 Contributions and the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation, increased 5 basis points in 2015, compared to 2014.  The increase in our adjusted FIFO operating profit rate in 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily due to increased supermarket sales, productivity improvements, effective cost controls at the store level and reductions in transportation costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers, the effect of our merger with Roundy ’s, an increase in depreciation and amortization expense and increases in EMV chargebacks, company sponsored pension, healthcare, incentive plan and shrink costs, as a percentage of sales.   Excluding the effects of our merger with Roundy ’s, FIFO operating profit increased 8 basis points in 2015, compared to 2014.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales, excluding fuel, the 2014 Contributions and the 2014 Multi -Employer Pension Plan Obligation, increased 10 basis points in 2014, compared to 2013, adjusted for the 2013 Adjusted Items.  The increase in our adjusted FIFO operating profit rate in 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter and a reduction in warehouse and transportation costs, improvements in OG&A, rent and depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by continued investments in lower prices for our customers.   Interest Expense   Interest expense totaled $482 million in 2015, $488 million in 2014 and $443 million in 2013.  The decrease in interest expense in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily due to the timing of debt principal payments and debt issuances, partially offset by an increase in interest expense associated with our commercial paper program.  The increase in interest expense in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from an increase in net total debt, primarily due to financing the merger with Harris Teeter and repurchases of our outstanding common shares.   Income Taxes   Our effective income tax rate was 33.8% in 2015, 34.1% in 2014 and 32.9% in 2013.  The 2015, 2014 and 2013 tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of tax credits, the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction and other changes, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes.   C OMMON S HARE R EPURCHASE P ROGRAMS   We maintain share repurchase programs that comply with Rule 10b5 -1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and allow for the orderly repurchase of our common shares, from time to time.  We made open market purchases of our common shares totaling $500 million in 2015, $1.1 billion in 2014 and $338 million in 2013 under these repurchase programs.  In addition to these repurchase   18   programs, we also repurchase common shares to reduce dilution resulting from our employee stock option plans.  This program is solely funded by proceeds from stock option exercises, and the tax benefit from these exercises.  We repurchased approximately $203 million in 2015, $155 million in 2014 and $271 million in 2013 of our common shares under the stock option program.   The shares repurchased in 2015 were acquired under two separate share repurchase programs.  The first is a $500 million repurchase program that was authorized by our Board of Directors on June 26, 2014.  The second is a program that uses the cash proceeds from the exercises of stock options by participants in our stock option and long -term incentive plans as well as the associated tax benefits.  On June 25, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a new $500 million share repurchase program to replace our prior authorization, which had been exhausted.  As of January 30, 2016, we have not repurchased any shares utilizing the June 25, 2015 repurchase program.  On March 10, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a new $500 million share repurchase program to supplement the 2015 Repurchase Program, which is expected to be exhausted by the end of the second quarter of 2016.   C APITAL I NVESTMENTS   Capital investments, including changes in construction -in -progress payables and excluding mergers and the purchase of leased facilities, totaled $3.3 billion in 2015, $2.8 billion in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013.  Capital investments for mergers totaled $168 million in 2015, $252 million in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013.  Payments for mergers of $168 million in 2015, $252 million in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013 relate to our mergers with Roundy ’s, Vitacost.com and Harris Teeter, respectively.  Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the mergers with Roundy ’s, Vitacost.com and Harris Teeter.  Capital investments for the purchase of leased facilities totaled $35 million in 2015, $135 million in 2014 and $108 million in 2013.  The table below shows our supermarket storing activity and our total food store square footage:   Supermarket Storing Activity     R ETURN ON I NVESTED C APITAL   We calculate return on invested capital ( “ ROIC ” ) by dividing adjusted operating profit for the prior four quarters by the average invested capital.  Adjusted operating profit is calculated by excluding certain items included in operating profit, and adding back our LIFO charge, depreciation and amortization and rent to our U.S. GAAP operating profit of the prior four quarters.  Average invested capital is calculated as the sum of (i) the average of our total assets, (ii) the average LIFO reserve, (iii) the average accumulated depreciation and amortization and (iv) a rent factor equal to total rent for the last four quarters multiplied by a factor of eight; minus (i) the average taxes receivable, (ii) the average trade accounts payable, (iii) the average accrued salaries and wages and (iv) the average other current liabilities, excluding accrued income taxes.  Averages are calculated for ROIC by adding the beginning balance of the first quarter and the ending balance of the fourth quarter, of the last four quarters, and dividing by two.  We use a factor of eight for our total rent as we believe this is a common factor used by our investors, analysts and rating agencies.  ROIC is a non -GAAP financial measure of performance.  ROIC should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  ROIC is an important measure used by management to evaluate our investment returns on capital.  Management believes ROIC is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures how effectively we are deploying our assets.   Although ROIC is a relatively standard financial term, numerous methods exist for calculating a company ’s ROIC.  As a result, the method used by our management to calculate ROIC may differ from methods other companies use to calculate their ROIC.  We urge you to understand the methods used by other companies to calculate their ROIC before comparing our ROIC to that of such other companies.   19   The following table provides a calculation of ROIC for 2015 and 2014.  The 2015 calculation of ROIC excludes the financial position, results and merger costs for the Roundy ’s transaction:   2015 2014 2013 Beginning of year 2,625 2,640 2,424 Opened 31 33 17 Opened (relocation) 12 13 7 Acquired 159 — 227 Closed (operational) (37 ) (48 ) (28 ) Closed (relocation) (12 ) (13 ) (7 )                 End of year 2,778 2,625 2,640                 Total food store square footage (in millions) 173 162 161 January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 Return on Invested Capital Numerator Operating profit $ 3,576 $ 3,137 LIFO charge 28 147 Depreciation and amortization 2,089 1,948 Rent 723 707 Adjustments for pension plan agreements — 87 Other (13 ) — Adjusted operating profit $ 6,403 $ 6,026             Denominator Average total assets $ 32,197 $ 29,860 Average taxes receivable(1) (206 ) (19 )     20   C RITICAL A CCOUNTING P OLICIES   We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a consistent manner.  Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  We base our estimates on historical experience and other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.   We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical in the preparation of our financial statements because they involve the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.   Self -Insurance Costs   We primarily are self -insured for costs related to workers ’ compensation and general liability claims.  The liabilities represent our best estimate, using generally accepted actuarial reserving methods, of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred but not reported for all claims incurred through January 30, 2016.  We establish case reserves for reported claims using case -basis evaluation of the underlying claim data and we update as information becomes known.   For both workers ’ compensation and general liability claims, we have purchased stop -loss coverage to limit our exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis.  We are insured for covered costs in excess of these per claim limits.  We account for the liabilities for workers ’ compensation claims on a present value basis utilizing a risk -adjusted discount rate.  A 25 basis point decrease in our discount rate would increase our liability by approximately $2 million.  General liability claims are not discounted.   The assumptions underlying the ultimate costs of existing claim losses are subject to a high degree of unpredictability, which can affect the liability recorded for such claims.  For example, variability in inflation rates of health care costs inherent in these claims can affect the amounts realized.  Similarly, changes in legal trends and interpretations, as well as a change in the nature and method of how claims are settled can affect ultimate costs.  Our estimates of liabilities incurred do not anticipate significant changes in historical trends for these variables, and any changes could have a considerable effect on future claim costs and currently recorded liabilities.   Impairments of Long -Lived Assets   We monitor the carrying value of long -lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain triggering events have occurred.  These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset.  When a triggering event occurs, we perform an impairment calculation, comparing projected undiscounted cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores.  If we identify impairment for long -lived assets to be held and used, we compare the assets ’ current carrying value to the assets ’ fair value.  Fair value is determined based on market values or discounted future cash flows.  We record impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value.  With respect to owned property and equipment held for disposal, we adjust the value of the property and equipment to reflect recoverable values based on our previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  We recognize impairment for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal.  We recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $46 million in 2015, $37 million in 2014 and $39 million in 2013.  We record costs to reduce the carrying value of long -lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative ” expense.   The factors that most significantly affect the impairment calculation are our estimates of future cash flows.  Our cash flow projections look Average LIFO reserve 1,259 1,197 Average accumulated depreciation and amortization 17,441 16,057 Average trade accounts payable (5,390 ) (4,967 ) Average accrued salaries and wages (1,359 ) (1,221 ) Average other current liabilities(2) (3,054 ) (2,780 ) Adjustment for Roundy ’s merger (714 ) — Rent x 8 5,784 5,656 Average invested capital $ 45,958 $ 43,783 Return on Invested Capital 13.93 % 13.76 % (1) Taxes receivable were $392 as of January 30, 2016, $20 as of January 31, 2015 and $18 as of February 1, 2014. The increase in taxes receivable as of January 30, 2016, compared to as of January 31, 2015, is due to recently issued tangible property regulations. Refer to Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail. (2) Other current liabilities included accrued income taxes of $5 as of January 31, 2015 and $92 as of February 1, 2014. We did not have any accrued income taxes as of January 30, 2016. Accrued income taxes are removed from other current liabilities in the calculation of average invested capital. several years into the future and include assumptions on variables such as inflation, the economy and market competition.  Application of alternative assumptions and definitions, such as reviewing long -lived assets for impairment at a different level, could produce significantly different results.   21   Goodwill   Our goodwill totaled $2.7 billion as of January 30, 2016.  We review goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of triggering events.  We perform reviews of each of our operating divisions and variable interest entities (collectively, “reporting units ” ) that have goodwill balances.  Fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and we compare fair value to the carrying value of a reporting unit for purposes of identifying potential impairment.  We base projected future cash flows on management ’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future.  If we identify potential for impairment, we measure the fair value of a reporting unit against the fair value of its underlying assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, to estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit ’s goodwill.  We recognize goodwill impairment for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit ’s goodwill over the implied fair value.   In 2015, goodwill increased $420 million primarily due to our merger with Roundy ’s.  In 2014, goodwill increased $169 million primarily due to our merger with Vitacost.com.  For additional information related to the allocation of the purchase price for Roundy ’s and Vitacost.com, refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   The annual evaluation of goodwill performed for our other reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2015, 2014 and 2013 did not result in impairment.  Based on current and future expected cash flows, we believe goodwill impairments are not reasonably likely.  A 10% reduction in fair value of our reporting units would not indicate a potential for impairment of our goodwill balance.   For additional information relating to our results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2015, 2014 and 2013 see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   The impairment review requires the extensive use of management judgment and financial estimates.  Application of alternative estimates and assumptions, such as reviewing goodwill for impairment at a different level, could produce significantly different results.  The cash flow projections embedded in our goodwill impairment reviews can be affected by several factors such as inflation, business valuations in the market, the economy and market competition.   Store Closing Costs   We provide for closed store liabilities on the basis of the present value of the estimated remaining non -cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income.  We estimate the net lease liabilities using a discount rate to calculate the present value of the remaining net rent payments on closed stores.  We usually pay closed store lease liabilities over the lease terms associated with the closed stores, which generally have remaining terms ranging from one to 20 years.  Adjustments to closed store liabilities primarily relate to changes in subtenant income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates.  We make adjustments for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known.  We review store closing liabilities quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs is adjusted to earnings in the proper period.   We estimate subtenant income, future cash flows and asset recovery values based on our experience and knowledge of the market in which the closed store is located, our previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  The ultimate cost of the disposition of the leases and the related assets is affected by current real estate markets, inflation rates and general economic conditions.   We reduce owned stores held for disposal to their estimated net realizable value.  We account for costs to reduce the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements in accordance with our policy on impairment of long -lived assets.  We classify inventory write - downs in connection with store closings, if any, in “Merchandise costs. ”   We expense costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores as they are incurred.   Post -Retirement Benefit Plans   We account for our defined benefit pension plans using the recognition and disclosure provisions of GAAP, which require the recognition of the funded status of retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  We record, as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ( “ AOCI ” ), actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized.   22   The determination of our obligation and expense for Company -sponsored pension plans and other post -retirement benefits is dependent upon our selection of assumptions used by actuaries in calculating those amounts.  Those assumptions are described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and include, among others, the discount rate, the expected long -term rate of return on plan assets, mortality and the rate of increases in compensation and health care costs.  Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense and recorded obligation in future periods.  While we believe that our assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in our actual experience or significant changes in our assumptions, including the discount rate used and the expected return on plan assets, may materially affect our pension and other post -retirement obligations and our future expense.  Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses the effect of a 1% change in the assumed health care cost trend rate on other post -retirement benefit costs and the related liability.   The objective of our discount rate assumptions was intended to reflect the rates at which the pension benefits could be effectively settled.  In making this determination, we take into account the timing and amount of benefits that would be available under the plans.  Our methodology for selecting the discount rates was to match the plan ’s cash flows to that of a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flow from coupons and maturities match the plan ’s projected benefit cash flows.  The discount rates are the single rates that produce the same present value of cash flows.  The selection of the 4.62% and 4.44% discount rates as of year -end 2015 for pension and other benefits, respectively, represents the hypothetical bond portfolio using bonds with an AA or better rating constructed with the assistance of an outside consultant.  We utilized a discount rate of 3.87% and 3.74% as of year -end 2014 for pension and other benefits, respectively.  A 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would decrease the projected pension benefit obligation as of January 30, 2016, by approximately $438 million.   To determine the expected rate of return on pension plan assets held by Kroger for 2015, we considered current and forecasted plan asset allocations as well as historical and forecasted rates of return on various asset categories.  In 2015, our assumed pension plan investment return rate was 7.44%, compared to 7.44% in 2014 and 8.50 in 2013.  Our pension plans ’ average rate of return was 6.47% for the 10 calendar years ended December 31, 2015, net of all investment management fees and expenses.  The value of all investments in our Company -sponsored defined benefit pension plans during the calendar year ending December 31, 2015, net of investment management fees and expenses, decreased 0.80%.  For the past 20 years, our average annual rate of return has been 7.99%.  Based on the above information and forward looking assumptions for investments made in a manner consistent with our target allocations, we believe a 7.44% rate of return assumption is reasonable for 2015.  See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the asset allocations of pension plan assets.   On January 31, 2015, we adopted new mortality tables, including industry -based tables for annuitants, reflecting more current mortality experience and assumptions for future generational mortality improvement in calculating our projected benefit obligations as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015 and our 2015 pension expense.  The tables assume an improvement in life expectancy and increased our benefit obligation and future expenses.  We used the RP -2000 projected to 2021 mortality table in calculating our 2013 year end pension obligation and 2014 and 2013 pension expense.   Sensitivity to changes in the major assumptions used in the calculation of Kroger ’s pension plan liabilities is illustrated below (in millions).     In 2015, we contributed $5 million to our Company -sponsored defined benefit plans and do not expect to make any contributions to these plans in 2016.  In 2014, we did not contribute to our Company -sponsored defined benefit plans and do not expect to make any contributions to this plan in 2015.  We did not make a contribution in 2014 and contributed $100 million in 2013 to our Company -sponsored defined benefit pension plans.  Among other things, investment performance of plan assets, the interest rates required to be used to calculate the pension obligations, and future changes in legislation, will determine the amounts of contributions.   We contributed and expensed $196 million in 2015, $177 million in 2014 and $148 million in 2013 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts.  The increase in 2015, compared to 2014, is due to a higher employee savings rate.  The increase in 2014, compared to 2013, is due to the effect of our merger with Harris Teeter.  The 401(k) retirement savings account plans provide to eligible employees both matching contributions and automatic contributions from the Company based on participant contributions, plan compensation, and length of service.   23   Multi -Employer Pension Plans   We contribute to various multi -employer pension plans, including the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, based on obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements.  We are designated as the named fiduciary of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan and have sole investment authority over these assets.  These multi -employer pension plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers.  The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose.  Trustees are appointed in equal number by employers and unions.  The trustees typically are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants as well as for such matters as the investment of the assets and the administration of the plans.   In 2015, we contributed $190 million to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.  We had previously accrued $60 million of the total contributions at January 31, 2015 and recorded expense for the remaining $130 million at the time of payment in 2015.  In 2014, we incurred a charge of $56 million (after -tax) related to commitments and withdrawal liabilities associated with the restructuring of pension plan agreements, of which $15 million was contributed to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in 2014.  As of January 30, 2016, we are not required to contribute to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in 2016.   We recognize expense in connection with these plans as contributions are funded or when commitments are made, in accordance with GAAP.  We made cash contributions to these plans of $426 million in 2015, $297 million in 2014 and $228 million in 2013.   Based on the most recent information available to us, we believe that the present value of actuarially accrued liabilities in most of the multi - employer plans to which we contribute substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  We have attempted to estimate the amount by which these liabilities exceed the assets, (i.e., the amount of underfunding), as of December 31, 2015.  Because we are only one of a Percentage Point Change Projected Benefit Obligation Decrease/(Increase) Expense Decrease/(Increase) Discount Rate +/ - 1.0% $ 438/(530) $ 36/$(42) Expected Return on Assets +/ - 1.0% — $ 38/$(38) number of employers contributing to these plans, we also have attempted to estimate the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans in a year as a way of assessing our “share ” of the underfunding.  Nonetheless, the underfunding is not a direct obligation or liability of ours or of any employer.  As of December 31, 2015, we estimate that our share of the underfunding of multi -employer plans to which we contribute was approximately $2.9 billion, pre - tax, or $1.8 billion, after -tax, which includes Roundy ’s share of underfunding of its multi -employer plans.  This represents an increase in the estimated amount of underfunding of approximately $1.1 billion, pre - tax, or approximately $680 million, after -tax, as of December 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014.  The increase in the amount of underfunding is attributable to lower than expected returns on the assets held in the multi -employer plans during 2015, changes in mortality rate assumptions and the merger of Roundy ’s.  Our estimate is based on the most current information available to us including actuarial evaluations and other data (that include the estimates of others), and such information may be outdated or otherwise unreliable.   We have made and disclosed this estimate not because, except as noted above, this underfunding is a direct liability of ours.  Rather, we believe the underfunding is likely to have important consequences.  In 2016, we expect to contribute approximately $260 million to multi -employer pension plans, subject to collective bargaining and capital market conditions.  We expect increases in expense as a result of increases in multi - employer pension plan contributions over the next few years.  Finally, underfunding means that, in the event we were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease making contributions to these funds, we could trigger a substantial withdrawal liability. Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with GAAP.   The amount of underfunding described above is an estimate and could change based on contract negotiations, returns on the assets held in the multi -employer plans and benefit payments.  The amount could decline, and our future expense would be favorably affected, if the values of the assets held in the trust significantly increase or if further changes occur through collective bargaining, trustee action or favorable legislation.  On the other hand, our share of the underfunding could increase and our future expense could be adversely affected if the asset values decline, if employers currently contributing to these funds cease participation or if changes occur through collective bargaining, trustee action or adverse legislation.  We continue to evaluate our potential exposure to under -funded multi -employer pension plans.  Although these liabilities are not a direct obligation or liability of ours, any commitments to fund certain multi -employer plans will be expensed when our commitment is probable and an estimate can be made.   See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information relating to our participation in these multi -employer pension plans.   Uncertain Tax Positions   We review the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements.  Refer to Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other disclosures related to uncertain tax positions.   24   Various taxing authorities periodically audit our income tax returns.  These audits include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions.  In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, we record allowances for probable exposures.  A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved.  As of January 30, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of our 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns.  Tax years 2012 and 2013 remain under examination.   The assessment of our tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with our various filing positions.   Share -Based Compensation Expense   We account for stock options under the fair value recognition provisions of GAAP.  Under this method, we recognize compensation expense for all share -based payments granted.  We recognize share -based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  In addition, we record expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the award, over the period the award restrictions lapse.   Inventories   Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally on a LIFO basis) or market.  In total, approximately 95% of inventories in 2015 and 2014 were valued using the LIFO method.  Cost for the balance of the inventories, including substantially all fuel inventories, was determined using the FIFO method.  Replacement cost was higher than the carrying amount by $1.3 billion at January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.  We follow the Link - Chain, Dollar -Value LIFO method for purposes of calculating our LIFO charge or credit.   We follow the item -cost method of accounting to determine inventory cost before the LIFO adjustment for substantially all store inventories at our supermarket divisions.  This method involves counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts) of each item and recording the cost of items sold.  T he item -cost method of accounting allows for more accurate reporting of periodic inventory balances and enables management to more precisely manage inventory.  In addition, substantially all of our inventory consists of finished goods and is recorded at actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts).   We evaluate inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in our facilities.  We record allowances for inventory shortages based on the results of recent physical counts to provide for estimated shortages from the last physical count to the financial statement date.   Vendor Allowances   We recognize all vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs when the related product is sold.  In most cases, vendor allowances are applied to the related product cost by item, and therefore reduce the carrying value of inventory by item.  When it is not practicable to allocate vendor allowances to the product by item, we recognize vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs based on inventory turns and as the product is sold.  We recognized approximately $7.3 billion in 2015, $6.9 billion in 2014 and $6.2 billion in 2013 of vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs.  We recognized approximately 91% of all vendor allowances in the item cost with the remainder being based on inventory turns.   25   R ECENTLY A DOPTED A CCOUNTING S TANDARDS   In 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( “FASB ” ) amended Accounting Standards Codification 835, “Interest -Imputation of Interest. ” The amendment simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability by requiring it be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This amendment became effective beginning February 1, 2015, and was adopted retrospectively in accordance with the standard.  The adoption of this amendment resulted in amounts previously reported in other assets to now be reported within long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These amounts were not material to the prior year.  The adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.   R ECENTLY I SSUED A CCOUNTING S TANDARDS   In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ( “ASU ” ) 2014 - 09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard ’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  Per ASU 2015 - 14, “Deferral of Effective Date, ” this guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year ending February 2, 2019.  Early adoption is permitted as of the first quarter of our fiscal year ending February 3, 2018.  We are currently in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.   In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 04, “Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer ’s Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets. ” This amendment permits an entity to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month end that is closest to the entity ’s fiscal year end for all plans. This guidance will be effective for us in the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.  The implementation of this amendment will not have an effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, and will not have a significant effect on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.   In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). ” This amendment removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share. This guidance will be effective for us in the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.  The implementation of this amendment will have an effect on our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and will not have an effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations or Consolidated Balance Sheets.   In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement -Period Adjustments. ” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. This guidance will be effective for us in the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. The implementation of this amendment is not expected to have a significant effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.   In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ” This amendment requires deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance will be effective for our fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this amendment will not have an effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and will not have a significant effect on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.   In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 02, “Leases ” , which provides guidance for the recognition of lease agreements.  The standard ’s core principle is that a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right -of -use assets.  This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year ending February 1, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted.  The adoption of this ASU will result in a significant increase to our Consolidated Balance Sheets for lease liabilities and right -of -use assets, and we are currently evaluating the other effects of adoption of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.  We believe our current off -balance sheet leasing commitments are reflected in our investment grade debt rating.   26   L IQUIDITY AND C APITAL R ESOURCES   Cash Flow Information   Net cash provided by operating activities     We generated $4.8 billion of cash from operations in 2015, compared to $4.2 billion in 2014 and $3.6 billion in 2013.  The cash provided by operating activities came from net earnings including non -controlling interests adjusted primarily for non -cash expenses of depreciation and amortization, stock compensation, expense for Company -sponsored pension plans, the LIFO charge and changes in working capital.   The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily due to an increase in net earnings including non -controlling interests, an increase in non -cash items and changes in working capital.  The increase in non -cash items in 2015, as compared to 2014, was primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization expense and expense for Company -sponsored pension plans, partially offset by a lower LIFO charge.   The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily due to an increase in net earnings including non -controlling interests, which include the results of Harris Teeter, an increase in non -cash items, a reduction in contributions to Company -sponsored pension plans and changes in working capital.  The increase in non -cash items in 2014, as compared to 2013, was primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization expense and the LIFO charge.  The amount of cash paid for income taxes increased in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily due to an increase in net earnings including non -controlling interests.   Cash provided (used) by operating activities for changes in working capital was $96 million in 2015, compared to ($49) million in 2014 and $63 million in 2013.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities for changes in working capital in 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily due to an increase in cash provided by trade accounts payables and store deposits in transit, partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by income taxes receivable and payable.  The increase in cash used by operating activities for changes in working capital in 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to an increase in cash used for receivables and a decrease in cash provided by trade accounts payables, partially offset by an increase in cash provided by accrued expenses.   Net cash used by investing activities   Cash used by investing activities was $3.6 billion in 2015, compared to $3.1 billion in 2014 and $4.8 billion in 2013.  The amount of cash used by investing activities increased in 2015, compared to 2014, due to increased payments for capital investments, partially offset by lower payments for mergers.  The amount of cash used by investing activities decreased in 2014, compared to 2013, due to decreased payments for mergers, offset primarily by increased payments for capital investments.  Capital investments, including payments for lease buyouts, but excluding mergers, were $3.3 billion in 2015, $2.8 billion in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013.  Merger payments were $168 million in 2015, $252 million in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013.  Merger payments decreased in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily due to our merger with Harris Teeter in 2013.  Refer to the “Capital Investments ” section for an overview of our supermarket storing activity during the last three years.   Net cash provided (used) by financing activities   Financing activities (used) provided cash of ($1.3) billion in 2015, ($1.2) billion in 2014 and $1.4 billion in 2013.  The increase in the amount of cash used for financing activities in 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily related to increased payments on long -term debt and commercial paper, partially offset by higher proceeds from issuances of long -term debt and decreased treasury stock purchases.  The increase in the amount of cash used for financing activities in 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily related to decreased proceeds from the issuance of long -term debt and increased treasury stock purchases, offset partially by decreased payments on long -term debt.  Proceeds from the issuance of long -term debt were $1.2 billion in 2015, $576 million in 2014 and $3.5 billion in 2013.  Net (payments) borrowings provided from our commercial paper program were ($285) million in 2015, $25 million in 2014 and ($395) million in 2013.  Please refer to the “Debt Management ” section of MD&A for additional information.  We repurchased $703 million of Kroger common shares in 2015, compared to $1.3 billion in 2014 and $609 million in 2013.  We paid dividends totaling $385 million in 2015, $338 million in 2014 and $319 million in 2013.   27   Debt Management   Total debt, including both the current and long -term portions of capital lease and lease -financing obligations, increased $481 million to $12.1 billion as of year -end 2015, compared to 2014.  The increase in 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from the issuance of (i) $300 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 2.00%, (ii) $300 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 2.60%, (iii) $500 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 3.50% and (iv) an increase in capital lease obligations due to our merger with Roundy ’s and various leased locations, partially offset by payments of $678 million on long -term debt obligations assumed as part of our merger with Roundy ’ s and $500 million of payments at maturity of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 3.90%.  The increase in financing obligations was due to partially funding our merger with Roundy ’s.   Total debt, including both the current and long -term portions of capital lease and lease -financing obligations increased $346 million to $11.7 billion as of year -end 2014, compared to 2013.  The increase in 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from (i) the issuance of $500 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 2.95% and (ii) an increase in commercial paper of $25 million, partially offset by payments at maturity of $300 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 4.95%.  The increase in financing obligations was due to partially funding our outstanding common share repurchases.   Liquidity Needs   We estimate our liquidity needs over the next twelve -month period to range from $6.6 to $6.9 billion, which includes anticipated requirements for working capital, capital investments, interest payments and scheduled principal payments of debt and commercial paper, offset by cash and temporary cash investments on hand at the end of 2015.  We generally operate with a working capital deficit due to our efficient use of cash in funding operations and because we have consistent access to the capital markets.  Based on current operating trends, we believe that cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under our commercial paper program and bank credit facility, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future beyond the next twelve months.  We have approximately $990 million of commercial paper and $1.3 billion of senior notes maturing in the next twelve months, which is included in the range of $6.6 to $6.9 billion in estimated liquidity needs.  We expect to refinance this debt, in 2016, by issuing additional senior notes or commercial paper on favorable terms based on our past experience.  We also currently plan to continue repurchases of common shares under the Company ’s share repurchase programs.  We believe we have adequate coverage of our debt covenants to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.   Factors Affecting Liquidity   We can currently borrow on a daily basis approximately $2.75 billion under our commercial paper ( “ CP ” ) program.  At January 30, 2016, we had $990 million of CP borrowings outstanding.  CP borrowings are backed by our credit facility, and reduce the amount we can borrow under the credit facility.  If our short -term credit ratings fall, the ability to borrow under our current CP program could be adversely affected for a period of time and increase our interest cost on daily borrowings under our CP program.  This could require us to borrow additional funds under the credit facility, under which we believe we have sufficient capacity.  However, in the event of a ratings decline, we do not anticipate that our borrowing capacity under our CP program would be any lower than $500 million on a daily basis.  Although our ability to borrow under the credit facility is not affected by our credit rating, the interest cost on borrowings under the credit facility could be affected by an increase in our Leverage Ratio.  As of March 23, 2016, we had $1.1 billion of CP borrowings outstanding.  The increase as of March 23, 2016, compared to year -end 2015, was due to partially funding our outstanding common share repurchases.   Our credit facility requires the maintenance of a Leverage Ratio and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (our “financial covenants ” ).  A failure to maintain our financial covenants would impair our ability to borrow under the credit facility. These financial covenants and ratios are described below:   ·                                Our Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Net Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the credit facility) was 1.97 to 1 as of January 30, 2016.  If this ratio were to exceed 3.50 to 1, we would be in default of our credit facility and our ability to borrow under the facility would be impaired.  In addition, our Applicable Margin on borrowings is determined by our Leverage Ratio.   ·                                Our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA plus Consolidated Rental Expense to Consolidated Cash Interest Expense plus Consolidated Rental Expense, as defined in the credit facility) was 5.30 to 1 as of January 30, 2016.  If this ratio fell below 1.70 to 1, we would be in default of our credit facility and our ability to borrow under the facility would be impaired.   Our credit agreement is more fully described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  We were in compliance with our financial covenants at year - end 2015.   28   The tables below illustrate our significant contractual obligations and other commercial commitments, based on year of maturity or settlement, as of January 30, 2016 (in millions of dollars):     2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Contractual Obligations (1) (2) Long -term debt(3) $ 2,318 $ 735 $ 1,307 $ 774 $ 724 $ 5,538 $ 11,396 Interest on long -term debt (4) 476 410 375 315 279 2,550 4,405 Capital lease obligations 103 72 62 57 52 527 873 Operating lease obligations 967 922 853 774 674 4,199 8,389 Financed lease obligations 13 13 13 13 13 74 139 Self -insurance liability (5) 223 138 98 63 38 79 639 Construction commitments(6) 418 — — — — — 418 Purchase obligations(7) 532 161 77 58 42 106 976                                 Total $ 5,050 $ 2,451 $ 2,786 $ 2,054 $ 1,822 $ 13,072 $ 27,235                                 Other Commercial Commitments Standby letters of credit $  244 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 244 Surety bonds 332 — — — — — 332                                 Total $ 576 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 576 (1) The contractual obligations table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled approximately $30 million in 2015. This table also excludes contributions under various multi -employer pension plans, which totaled $426 million in 2015. (2) The liability related to unrecognized tax benefits has been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. (3) As of January 30, 2016, we had $990 million of borrowings of commercial paper and no borrowings under our credit agreement. (4) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the interest rate as of January 30, 2016, and stated fixed and swapped interest rates, if applicable, for all other debt instruments. (5) The amounts included in the contractual obligations table for self -insurance liability related to workers ’ compensation claims have been   As of January 30, 2016, we maintained a $2.75 billion (with the ability to increase by $750 million), unsecured revolving credit facility that, unless extended, terminates on June 30, 2019.  Outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement and commercial paper borrowings, and some outstanding letters of credit, reduce funds available under the credit agreement.  As of January 30, 2016, we had $990 million of borrowings of commercial paper and no borrowings under our credit agreement.  The outstanding letters of credit that reduce funds available under our credit agreement totaled $13 million as of January 30, 2016.   In addition to the available credit mentioned above, as of January 30, 2016, we had authorized for issuance $900 million of securities under a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC and effective on December 13, 2013.   We also maintain surety bonds related primarily to our self -insured workers ’ compensation claims.  These bonds are required by most states in which we are self -insured for workers ’ compensation and are placed with predominately third -party insurance providers to insure payment of our obligations in the event we are unable to meet our claim payment obligations up to our self -insured retention levels.   These bonds do not represent liabilities of ours, as we already have reserves on our books for the claims costs.  Market changes may make the surety bonds more costly and, in some instances, availability of these bonds may become more limited, which   29   could affect our costs of, or access to, such bonds.  Although we do not believe increased costs or decreased availability would significantly affect our ability to access these surety bonds, if this does become an issue, we would issue letters of credit, in states where allowed, against our credit facility to meet the state bonding requirements.  This could increase our cost and decrease the funds available under our credit facility.   We also are contingently liable for leases that have been assigned to various third parties in connection with facility closings and dispositions.  We could be required to satisfy obligations under the leases if any of the assignees are unable to fulfill their lease obligations.  Due to the wide distribution of our assignments among third parties, and various other remedies available to us, we believe the likelihood that we will be required to assume a material amount of these obligations is remote.  We have agreed to indemnify certain third -party logistics operators for certain expenses, including pension trust fund contribution obligations and withdrawal liabilities.   In addition to the above, we enter into various indemnification agreements and take on indemnification obligations in the ordinary course of business.  Such arrangements include indemnities against third party claims arising out of agreements to provide services to us; indemnities related to the sale of our securities; indemnities of directors, officers and employees in connection with the performance of their work; and indemnities of individuals serving as fiduciaries on benefit plans.  While our aggregate indemnification obligation could result in a material liability, we are not aware of any current matter that could result in a material liability.   30   O UTLOOK   This discussion and analysis contains certain forward -looking statements about our future performance.  These statements are based on management ’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it.  Such statements are indicated by words such as “comfortable, ” “committed, ” “ will, ” “expect, ” “goal, ” “should, ” “intend, ” “target, ” “believe, ” “anticipate, ” “plan, ” and similar words or phrases. These forward -looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially.   Statements elsewhere in this report and below regarding our expectations, projections, beliefs, intentions or strategies are forward -looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  While we believe that the statements are accurate, uncertainties about the general economy, our labor relations, our ability to execute our plans on a timely basis and other uncertainties described below could cause actual results to differ materially.  The guidance below includes our expectations for Roundy ’s.   ·                            We expect net earnings to be $2.19 to $2.28 per diluted share, which is essentially in line with our long -term net earnings per diluted share growth rate of 8% - 11%. Where we fall within the range will be primarily driven by actual fuel margins, which we expect to be at or slightly below the five -year average, with continued volatility. We expect our core business in 2016 to grow in line with our long - term net earnings per diluted share growth rate of 8% – 11%.   ·                            We expect identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel sales, of 2.5% -3.5% in 2016, reflecting the lower inflationary environment.   ·                            We expect full -year FIFO operating margin in 2016, excluding fuel, to expand slightly compared to 2015 results.   ·                            We expect capital investments, excluding mergers, acquisitions and purchases of leased facilities, to be $4.1 to $4.4 billion.  These stated on a present value basis. (6) Amounts include funds owed to third parties for projects currently under construction. These amounts are reflected in other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. (7) Amounts include commitments, many of which are short -term in nature, to be utilized in the normal course of business, such as several contracts to purchase raw materials utilized in our food production plants and several contracts to purchase energy to be used in our stores and food production plants.  Our obligations also include management fees for facilities operated by third parties and outside service contracts.  Any upfront vendor allowances or incentives associated with outstanding purchase commitments are recorded as either current or long -term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. capital investments include approximately 100 major projects covering new stores, expansions and relocations, including 10 Ruler locations; 200 to 220 major remodels; and other investments including minor remodels and technology and infrastructure to support our Customer 1 business strategy.   ·                            We expect total supermarket square footage for 2016 to grow approximately 3.0% - 3.5% before mergers, acquisitions and operational closings.   ·                            We expect 2016 year -end ROIC to increase slightly compared to the 2015 result.   ·                            We expect the 2016 effective tax rate to be approximately 35%, excluding the resolution of certain tax items.   ·                            In 2016, we anticipate annualized product cost inflation of 1.0% to 2.0%, excluding fuel, and an annualized LIFO charge of approximately $50 million.  We expect inflation to be lower during the earlier portion of 2016 and to gradually rise during the later portion of 2016.   ·                            We expect 2016 Company -sponsored pension plans expense to be approximately $80 million.  We do not expect to make a cash contribution in 2016.   ·                            In 2016, we expect to contribute approximately $260 million to multi -employer pension funds.  We continue to evaluate and address our potential exposure to under -funded multi -employer pension plans.  Although these liabilities are not a direct obligation or liability of Kroger, any new agreements that would commit us to fund certain multi -employer plans will be expensed when our commitment is probable and an estimate can be made.   ·                            In 2016, we will negotiate agreements with UFCW for store associates in Houston, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Nashville, Portland, Southern California and Fry ’s in Arizona. Negotiations this year will be challenging as we must have competitive cost structures in each market while meeting our associates ’ needs for solid wages and good quality, affordable health care and retirement benefits.   31   Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward -looking statements.  These include:   ·                            The extent to which our sources of liquidity are sufficient to meet our requirements may be affected by the state of the financial markets and the effect that such condition has on our ability to issue commercial paper at acceptable rates.  Our ability to borrow under our committed lines of credit, including our bank credit facilities, could be impaired if one or more of our lenders under those lines is unwilling or unable to honor its contractual obligation to lend to us, or in the event that natural disasters or weather conditions interfere with the ability of our lenders to lend to us.  Our ability to refinance maturing debt may be affected by the state of the financial markets. ·                            Our ability to achieve sales, earnings and cash flow goals may be affected by: labor negotiations or disputes; changes in the types and numbers of businesses that compete with us; pricing and promotional activities of existing and new competitors, including non - traditional competitors, and the aggressiveness of that competition; our response to these actions; the state of the economy, including interest rates, the inflationary and deflationary trends in certain commodities, and the unemployment rate; the effect that fuel costs have on consumer spending; volatility of fuel margins; changes in government -funded benefit programs; manufacturing commodity costs; diesel fuel costs related to our logistics operations; trends in consumer spending; the extent to which our customers exercise caution in their purchasing in response to economic conditions; the inconsistent pace of the economic recovery; changes in inflation or deflation in product and operating costs; stock repurchases; our ability to retain pharmacy sales from third party payors; consolidation in the healthcare industry, including pharmacy benefit managers; our ability to negotiate modifications to multi -employer pension plans; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; the potential costs and risks associated with potential cyber -attacks or data security breaches; the success of our future growth plans; and the successful integration of Harris Teeter and Roundy ’s.   Our ability to achieve sales and earnings goals may also be affected by our ability to manage the factors identified above. Our ability to execute our financial strategy may be affected by our ability to generate cash flow.   ·                            During the first three quarters of each fiscal year, our LIFO charge and the recognition of LIFO expense is affected primarily by estimated year -end changes in product costs.  Our fiscal year LIFO charge is affected primarily by changes in product costs at year - end.   ·                            If actual results differ significantly from anticipated future results for certain reporting units including variable interest entities, an impairment loss for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting units ’ goodwill over the implied fair value would have to be recognized. ·                            Our effective tax rate may differ from the expected rate due to changes in laws, the status of pending items with various taxing authorities, and the deductibility of certain expenses. ·                            Changes in our product mix may negatively affect certain financial indicators. For example, we continue to add supermarket fuel centers to our store base. Since fuel generates lower profit margins than our supermarket sales, we expect to see our FIFO gross margins decline as fuel sales increase.   st We cannot fully foresee the effects of changes in economic conditions on Kroger ’s business. We have assumed economic and competitive situations will not change significantly in 2016.   Other factors and assumptions not identified above could also cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward - looking information. Accordingly, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in, contemplated or implied by forward - looking statements made by us or our representatives.  We undertake no obligation to update the forward -looking information contained in this filing.   32   ITEM 7A.                QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.   Financial Risk Management   We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and, to a lesser extent, adverse fluctuations in commodity prices and other market risks.  We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.  As a matter of policy, all of our derivative positions are intended to reduce risk by hedging an underlying economic exposure.  Because of the high correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure, fluctuations in the value of the instruments generally are offset by reciprocal changes in the value of the underlying exposure.  The interest rate derivatives we use are straightforward instruments with liquid markets.   We manage our exposure to interest rates and changes in the fair value of our debt instruments primarily through the strategic use of our commercial paper program, variable and fixed rate debt, and interest rate swaps.  Our current program relative to interest rate protection contemplates hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed -rate debt attributable to changes in interest rates.  To do this, we use the following guidelines: (i) use average daily outstanding borrowings to determine annual debt amounts subject to interest rate exposure, (ii) limit the average annual amount of debt subject to interest rate reset and the amount of floating rate debt to a combined total of $2.5 billion or less, (iii) include no leveraged products, and (iv) hedge without regard to profit motive or sensitivity to current mark -to -market status.   As of January 30, 2016, we maintained two interest rate swap agreements, with an aggregate notional amount totaling $100 million, to manage our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate debt resulting from interest rate movements by effectively converting a portion of our debt from fixed to variable rates.  These agreements mature in December 2018, and coincide with our scheduled debt maturities.  The differential between fixed and variable rates to be paid or received is accrued as interest rates change in accordance with the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense.  These interest rate swap agreements are being accounted for as fair value hedges.   As of January 30, 2016, we maintained 7 forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of August 15, 2027 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $400 million.  A forward -starting interest rate swap is an agreement that effectively hedges the variability in future benchmark interest payments attributable to changes in interest rates on the forecasted issuance of fixed -rate debt.  We entered into these forward -starting interest rate swaps in order to lock in fixed interest rates on our forecasted issuances of debt in fiscal year 2017.  The fixed interest rates for these forward -starting interest rate swaps range from 2.54% to 3.00%.  The variable rate component on the forward -starting interest rate swaps is 3 month LIBOR.  Accordingly, the forward -starting interest rate swaps were designated as cash -flow hedges as defined by GAAP.  As of January 30, 2016, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was recorded in other long -term liabilities for $29 million and accumulated other comprehensive income for $17 million net of tax.   Annually, we review with the Financial Policy Committee of our Board of Directors compliance with the guidelines described above.  The guidelines may change as our business needs dictate.   The tables below provide information about our interest rate derivatives classified as fair value hedges and underlying debt portfolio as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.  The amounts shown for each year represent the contractual maturities of long -term debt, excluding capital leases, and the average outstanding notional amounts of interest rate derivatives classified as fair value hedges as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.  Interest rates reflect the weighted average rate for the outstanding instruments.  The variable component of each interest rate derivative and the variable rate debt is based on U.S. dollar LIBOR using the forward yield curve as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.  The Fair Value column includes the fair value of our debt instruments and interest rate derivatives classified as fair value hedges as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.  See Notes 6, 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   33     January 30, 2016 Expected Year of Maturity 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Fair Value (in millions) Debt Fixed rate $ (768 ) $ (713 ) $ (1,300 ) $ (747 ) $ (699 ) $ (5,456 ) $ (9,683 ) $ (10,597 ) Average interest rate 4.74 % 4.78 % 4.95 % 4.80 % 4.80 % 4.68 % Variable rate $ (1,550 ) $ (22 ) $ (7 ) $ (27 ) $ (25 ) $ (82 ) $ (1,713 ) $ (1,747 ) Average interest rate 3.71 % 1.21 % 1.26 % 1.06 % 0.46 % 0.03 % January 30, 2016 January 30, January 30, Average Notional Amounts Outstanding 2016 2016       Based on our year -end 2015 variable rate debt levels, a 10 percent change in interest rates would be immaterial.  See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of derivatives and hedging policies.   Commodity Price Protection   We enter into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in our food production plants and energy to be used in our stores, warehouses, food production plants and administrative offices. We enter into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of normal business. Those commitments for which we expect to utilize or take delivery in a reasonable amount of time in the normal course of business qualify as normal purchases.   34   ITEM 8.                 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Kroger Co.   In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders ’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Kroger Co. and its subsidiaries at January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 30, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company ’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management ’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company ’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.   2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Fair Value (in millions) Interest Rate Derivatives Classified as Fair Value Hedges Fixed to variable $ 100 $ 100 $ 88 $ — $ — $ — $ 100 $ 1 Average pay rate 6.30 % 6.64 % 6.95 % — — — Average receive rate 6.80 % 6.80 % 6.80 % — — — January 31, 2015 Expected Year of Maturity 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Thereafter Total Fair Value (in millions) Debt Fixed rate $ (516 ) $ (776 ) $ (718 ) $ (1,008 ) $ (753 ) $ (5,260 ) $ (9,031 ) $ (10,383 ) Average interest rate 4.80 % 4.89 % 4.97 % 5.08 % 5.24 % 4.91 % Variable rate $ (1,328 ) $ (523 ) $ (18 ) $ — $ ( 20 ) $ (106 ) $ (1,995 ) $ (1,995 ) Average interest rate 1.05 % 1.53 % 1.51 % — 0.96 % 1.27 % January 31, 2015 January 31, January 31, Average Notional Amounts Outstanding 2015 2015 Fair 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Thereafter Total Value (in millions) Interest Rate Derivatives Classified as Fair Value Hedges Fixed to variable $ 100 $ 100 $ 100 $ 88 $ — $ — $ 100 $ — Average pay rate 6.18 % 6.81 % 7.22 % 7.39 % — — Average receive rate 6.80 % 6.80 % 6.80 % 6.80 % — — A company ’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company ’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company ’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.   Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.   As described in Management ’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Roundy ’s, Inc. from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2016 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination on December 18, 2015.  We have also excluded Roundy ’s, Inc. from our audit of internal control over financial reporting.  Roundy ’s, Inc. is a wholly -owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues represent 2% and less than 1%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended January 30, 2016.   /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Cincinnati, Ohio March 29, 2016   35   THE KROGER CO. C ONSOLIDATED B ALANCE S HEETS   January 30, January 31, (In millions, except par values) 2016 2015 ASSETS Current assets Cash and temporary cash investments $ 277 $ 268 Store deposits in -transit 923 988 Receivables 1,734 1,266 FIFO inventory 7,440 6,933 LIFO reserve (1,272 ) (1,245 ) Prepaid and other current assets 790 701 Total current assets 9,892 8,911             Property, plant and equipment, net 19,619 17,912 Intangibles, net 1,053 757 Goodwill 2,724 2,304 Other assets 609 613             Total Assets $ 33,897 $ 30,497             LIABILITIES Current liabilities Current portion of long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations $ 2,370 $ 1,874 Trade accounts payable 5,728 5,052 Accrued salaries and wages 1,426 1,291 Deferred income taxes 221 287 Other current liabilities 3,226 2,888 Total current liabilities 12,971 11,392             Long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations Face -value of long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations 9,708 9,723 Adjustment to reflect fair -value interest rate hedges 1 ¾ Long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations 9,709 9,723             Deferred income taxes 1,752 1,209 Pension and postretirement benefit obligations 1,380 1,463 Other long - term liabilities 1,287 1,268             Total Liabilities 27,099 25,055             Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)               The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.   36   THE KROGER CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   Years Ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.   37   THE KROGER CO. C ONSOLIDATED S TATEMENTS OF C OMPREHENSIVE I NCOME   Years Ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014               SHAREHOLDERS ’ EQUITY             Preferred shares, $100 par per share, 5 shares authorized and unissued ¾ ¾ Common shares, $1 par per share, 2,000 shares authorized; 1,918 shares issued in 2015 and 2014 1,918 1,918 Additional paid -in capital 2,980 2,748 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (680 ) (812 ) Accumulated earnings 14,011 12,367 Common stock in treasury, at cost, 951 shares in 2015 and 944 shares in 2014 (11,409 ) (10,809 )             Total Shareholders ’ Equity - The Kroger Co. 6,820 5,412 Noncontrolling interests (22 ) 30             Total Equity 6,798 5,442             Total Liabilities and Equity $ 33,897 $ 30,497 (In millions, except per share amounts) 2015 (52 weeks) 2014 (52 weeks) 2013 (52 weeks) Sales $ 109,830 $ 108,465 $ 98,375 Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below 85,496 85,512 78,138 Operating, general and administrative 17,946 17,161 15,196 Rent 723 707 613 Depreciation and amortization 2,089 1,948 1,703                 Operating Profit 3,576 3,137 2,725 Interest expense 482 488 443                 Earnings before income tax expense 3,094 2,649 2,282 Income tax expense 1,045 902 751                 Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 2,049 1,747 1,531 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 10 19 12                 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 2,039 $ 1,728 $ 1,519                 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share $ 2.09 $ 1.74 $ 1.47                 Average number of common shares used in basic calculation 966 981 1,028                 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share $ 2.06 $ 1.72 $ 1.45                 Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation 980 993 1,040                 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.408 $ 0.350 $ 0.315 (In millions) 2015 (52 weeks) 2014 (52 weeks) 2013 (52 weeks)   (1)          Amount is net of tax of $2 in 2015 and $3 in 2014 and 2013. (2)          Amount is net of tax of $77 in 2015, $(193) in 2014 and $173 in 2013. (3)          Amount is net of tax of $(2) in 2015, $(14) in 2014 and $(8) in 2013. (4)          Amount is net of tax of $1 in 2013.   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.   38   THE KROGER CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS   Years Ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014   Net earnings including noncontrolling interests $ 2,049 $ 1,747 $ 1,531                 Other comprehensive income (loss) Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of income tax(1)   3 5 5 Change in pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, net of income tax(2) 131 (329 ) 295 Unrealized losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax(3) (3 ) (25 ) (12 ) Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of income tax(4) 1 1 1                 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 132 (348 ) 289                 Comprehensive income 2,181 1,399 1,820 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 10 19 12 Comprehensive income attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 2,171 $ 1,380 $ 1,808 (In millions) 2015 (52 weeks) 2014 (52 weeks) 2013 (52 weeks) Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net earnings including noncontrolling interests $ 2,049 $ 1,747 $ 1,531 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,089 1,948 1,703 Asset impairment charge 46 37 39 LIFO charge 28 147 52 Stock -based employee compensation 165 155 107 Expense for Company -sponsored pension plans 103 55 74 Deferred income taxes 317 73 72 Other 54 72 47 Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from mergers of businesses: Store deposits in -transit 95 (27 ) 25 Receivables (59 ) (141 ) (8 ) Inventories (184 ) (147 ) (131 ) Prepaid and other current assets (28 ) 2 (49 ) Trade accounts payable 440 135 196 Accrued expenses 191 197 77 Income taxes receivable and payable (359 ) (68 ) (47 ) Contribution to Company -sponsored pension plans (5 ) ¾ (100 ) Other (109 ) (22 ) (15 )                 Net cash provided by operating activities 4,833 4,163 3,573                 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts (3,349 ) (2,831 ) (2,330 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 45 37 24 Payments for mergers (168 ) (252 ) (2,344 ) Other (98 ) (14 ) (121 )                 Net cash used by investing activities (3,570 ) (3,060 ) (4,771 )                 Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of long -term debt 1,181 576 3,548 Payments on long -term debt (1,245 ) (375 ) (1,060 ) Net (payments) borrowings on commercial paper (285 ) 25 (395 )   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.   39   THE KROGER CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS ’ EQUITY   Years Ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014   Dividends paid (385 ) (338 ) (319 ) Excess tax benefits on stock based awards 97 52 32 Proceeds from issuance of capital stock 120 110 196 Treasury stock purchases (703 ) (1,283 ) (609 ) Investment in the remaining equity of a noncontrolling interest (26 ) ¾ ¾ Other (8 ) (3 ) (32 )                 Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (1,254 ) (1,236 ) 1,361                 Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments 9 (133 ) 163                 Cash and temporary cash investments: Beginning of year 268 401 238 End of year $ 277 $ 268 $ 401                 Reconciliation of capital investments: Payments for property and equipment, including payments for lease buyouts $ (3,349 ) $ (2,831 ) $ (2,330 ) Payments for lease buyouts 35 135 108 Changes in construction -in -progress payables (35 ) (56 ) (83 ) Total capital investments, excluding lease buyouts $ (3,349 ) $ (2,752 ) $ (2,305 )                 Disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the year for interest $ 474 $ 477 $ 401 Cash paid during the year for income taxes $ 1,001 $ 941 $ 679 Accumulated Additional Other Common Stock Paid -In Treasury Stock Comprehensive Accumulated Noncontrolling (In millions, except per share amounts) Shares Amount Capital Shares Amount Gain (Loss) Earnings Interest Total Balances at February 2, 2013 1,918 $ 1,918 $ 2,492 890 $ (9,237 ) $ (753 ) $ 9,787 $ 7 $ 4,214 Issuance of common stock: Stock options exercised — — — (18) 196 — — — 196 Restricted stock issued — — (60) (5) 26 — — — (34) Treasury stock activity: Treasury stock purchases, at cost — — — 18 (338 ) — — — (338 ) Stock options exchanged — — — 17 (271 ) — — — (271 ) Share -based employee compensation — — 107 — — — — — 107 Other comprehensive gain net of income tax of $168 — — — — — 289 — — 289 Other — — 51 — (17) — — (8) 26 Cash dividends declared ($0.315 per common share) — — — — — — (325 ) — (325 ) Net earnings including non -controlling interests — — — — — — 1,519 12 1,531                                         Balances at February 1, 2014 1,918 $ 1,918 $ 2,590 902 $ (9,641 ) $ (464 ) $ 10,981 $ 11 $ 5,395 Issuance of common stock: Stock options exercised — — — (10) 110 — — — 110 Restricted stock issued — — (91) (5) 40 — — — (51) Treasury stock activity: Treasury stock purchases, at cost — — — 51 (1,129 ) — — — (1,129 ) Stock options exchanged — — — 6 (154 ) — — — (154 ) Share -based employee compensation — — 155 — — — — — 155 Other comprehensive loss net of income tax of ($204) — — — — — (348 ) — — (348 ) Other — — 94 — (35) — — — 59 Cash dividends declared ($0.350 per common share) — — — — — — (342 ) — (342 ) Net earnings including non -controlling interests — — — — — — 1,728 19 1,747                                         Balances at January 31, 2015 1,918 $ 1,918 $ 2,748 944 $ (10,809 ) $ (812 ) $ 12,367 $ 30 $ 5,442 Issuance of common stock: Stock options exercised — — — (9) 120 — — — 120 Restricted stock issued — — (122 ) (5) 37 — — — (85) Treasury stock activity: Treasury stock purchases, at cost — — — 14 (500 ) — — — (500 ) Stock options exchanged — — — 7 (203 ) — — — (203 ) Share -based employee compensation — — 165 — — — — — 165 Other comprehensive gain net of income tax of $77 — — — — — 132 — — 132   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.   40   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   All amounts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are in millions except per share amounts.   1.              A CCOUNTING P OLICIES   The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed in preparing these financial statements.   Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation   The Kroger Co. (the “Company ” ) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of January 30, 2016, the Company was one of the largest retailers in the nation based on annual sales.  The Company also manufactures and processes food for sale by its supermarkets.  The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, its wholly -owned subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary.  Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.   On June 25, 2015, the Company ’s Board of Directors approved a two -for -one stock split of The Kroger Co. ’s common shares in the form of a 100% stock dividend, which was effective July 13, 2015.  All share and per share amounts in the Company ’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.   Refer to Note 17 for an additional change to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for a recently adopted accounting standard regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs.   Fiscal Year   The Company ’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31.  The last three fiscal years consist of the 52 -week periods ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014.   Pervasiveness of Estimates   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ( “GAAP ” ) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities.  Disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period is also required.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.   Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Book Overdrafts   Cash and temporary cash investments represent store cash and short -term investments with original maturities of less than three months.   Book overdrafts are included in “Trade accounts payable ” and “Accrued salaries and wages ” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.   Deposits In -Transit   Deposits in -transit generally represent funds deposited to the Company ’s bank accounts at the end of the year related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with debit cards, credit cards and checks, to which the Company does not have immediate access but settle within a few days of the sales transaction.   Inventories   Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally on a last -in, first -out “ LIFO ” basis) or market.  In total, approximately 95% of inventories in 2015 and 2014 were valued using the LIFO method.  Cost for the balance of the inventories, including substantially all fuel inventories, was determined using the first -in, first -out ( “ FIFO ” ) method.  Replacement cost was higher than the carrying amount by $1,272 at January 30, 2016 and $1,245 at January 31, 2015.  The Company follows the Link - Chain, Dollar -Value LIFO method for purposes of calculating its LIFO charge or credit.   41   The item -cost method of accounting to determine inventory cost before the LIFO adjustment is followed for substantially all store inventories Investment in the remaining equity of a non - controlling interest — — 26 — — — — (57) (31 ) Other — — 163 — (54) — — (5) 104 Cash dividends declared ($0.408 per common share) — — — — — — (395 ) — (395 ) Net earnings including non -controlling interests — — — — — — 2,039 10 2,049                                         Balances at January 30, 2016 1,918 $ 1,918 $ 2,980 951 $ (11,409 ) $ (680 ) $ 14,011 $ (22 ) $ 6,798 at the Company ’s supermarket divisions.  This method involves counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts) of each item and recording the cost of items sold. The item -cost method of accounting allows for more accurate reporting of periodic inventory balances and enables management to more precisely manage inventory.  In addition, substantially all of the Company ’s inventory consists of finished goods and is recorded at actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts).   The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities.  Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts to provide for estimated shortages as of the financial statement date.   Property, Plant and Equipment   Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value.  Depreciation and amortization expense, which includes the depreciation of assets recorded under capital leases, is computed principally using the straight - line method over the estimated useful lives of individual assets.  Buildings and land improvements are depreciated based on lives varying from 10 to 40 years.  All new purchases of store equipment are assigned lives varying from three to nine years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term to which they relate, which generally varies from four to 25 years, or the useful life of the asset.  Food production plant and distribution center equipment is depreciated over lives varying from three to 15 years.  Information technology assets are generally depreciated over five years.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $2,089 in 2015, $1,948 in 2014 and $1,703 in 2013.   Interest costs on significant projects constructed for the Company ’s own use are capitalized as part of the costs of the newly constructed facilities.  Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in net earnings.  Refer to Note 4 for further information regarding the Company ’s property, plant and equipment.   Deferred Rent   The Company recognizes rent holidays, including the time period during which the Company has access to the property for construction of buildings or improvements and escalating rent provisions on a straight -line basis over the term of the lease.  The deferred amount is included in “Other current liabilities ” and “Other long - term liabilities ” on the Company ’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.   Goodwill   The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of a triggering event.  The Company performs reviews of each of its operating divisions and variable interest entities (collectively, “reporting units ” ) that have goodwill balances.  Generally, fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and is compared to the carrying value of a reporting unit for purposes of identifying potential impairment.  Projected future cash flows are based on management ’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future.  If potential for impairment is identified, the fair value of a reporting unit is measured against the fair value of its underlying assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, to estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit ’s goodwill.  Goodwill impairment is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit ’s goodwill over the implied fair value.  Results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2015, 2014 and 2013 are summarized in Note 3.   42   Impairment of Long -Lived Assets   The Company monitors the carrying value of long -lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain triggering events have occurred.  These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset.  When a triggering event occurs, an impairment calculation is performed, comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores.  If the Company identifies impairment for long -lived assets to be held and used, the Company compares the assets ’ current carrying value to the assets ’ fair value.  Fair value is based on current market values or discounted future cash flows.  The Company records impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value.  With respect to owned property and equipment held for disposal, the value of the property and equipment is adjusted to reflect recoverable values based on previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  Impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal.  The Company recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $46, $37 and $39 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Costs to reduce the carrying value of long -lived assets for each of the years presented have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative ” expense.   Store Closing Costs   The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the present value of the estimated remaining non -cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income.  The Company estimates the net lease liabilities using a discount rate to calculate the present value of the remaining net rent payments on closed stores.  The closed store lease liabilities usually are paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores, which generally have remaining terms ranging from one to 20 years.  Adjustments to closed store liabilities primarily relate to changes in subtenant income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates.  Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known.  Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs is adjusted to income in the proper period.   Owned stores held for disposal are reduced to their estimated net realizable value.  Costs to reduce the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are accounted for in accordance with the Company ’s policy on impairment of long -lived assets.  Inventory write - downs, if any, in connection with store closings, are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Merchandise costs. ”  Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.   The current portion of the future lease obligations of stores is included in “Other current liabilities, ” and the long -term portion is included in “Other long - term liabilities ” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.   Interest Rate Risk Management   The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.  The Company ’s current program relative to interest rate protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its derivative instruments are described in Note 7.   Commodity Price Protection   The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its food production plants and energy to be used in its stores, food production plants and administrative offices.  The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of the normal course of business.  The Company ’s current program relative to commodity price protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its purchase commitments are described in Note 7.   Benefit Plans and Multi -Employer Pension Plans   The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ( “ AOCI ” ).  All plans are measured as of the Company ’s fiscal year end.   43   The determination of the obligation and expense for Company -sponsored pension plans and other post -retirement benefits is dependent on the selection of assumptions used by actuaries and the Company in calculating those amounts.  Those assumptions are described in Note 15 and include, among others, the discount rate, the expected long -term rate of return on plan assets, mortality and the rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.  Actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in future periods.  While the Company believes that the assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension and other post -retirement obligations and future expense.   The Company also participates in various multi -employer plans for substantially all union employees.  Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are funded.  Refer to Note 16 for additional information regarding the Company ’s participation in these various multi - employer plans.   The Company administers and makes contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts.  Contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts are expensed when contributed.  Refer to Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company ’s benefit plans.   Share Based Compensation   The Company accounts for stock options under fair value recognition provisions .  Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share -based payments granted.  The Company recognizes share -based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  In addition, the Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.  Refer to Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company ’s stock based compensation.   Deferred Income Taxes   Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting basis.   Refer to Note 5 for the types of differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.  Deferred income taxes are classified as a net current or noncurrent asset or liability based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.  A deferred tax asset or liability that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting is classified according to the expected reversal date.   Uncertain Tax Positions   The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in its consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 5 for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other related disclosures related to uncertain tax positions.   Various taxing authorities periodically audit the Company ’s income tax returns.  These audits include questions regarding the Company ’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions.  In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures.  A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved.  As of January 30, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of the Company ’s 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns.  Tax years 2012 and 2013 remain under examination.   The assessment of the Company ’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company ’s various filing positions.   Self -Insurance Costs   The Company is primarily self -insured for costs related to workers ’ compensation and general liability claims.  Liabilities are actuarially determined and are recognized based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The liabilities for workers ’ compensation claims are accounted for on a present value basis.  The Company has purchased stop -loss coverage to limit its exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis.  The Company is insured for covered costs in excess of these per claim limits.   44   The following table summarizes the changes in the Company ’s self -insurance liability through January 30, 2016.     The current portion of the self -insured liability is included in “Other current liabilities, ” and the long -term portion is included in “Other long - term liabilities ” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.   The Company maintains surety bonds related to self -insured workers ’ compensation claims.  These bonds are required by most states in which the Company is self -insured for workers ’ compensation and are placed with third -party insurance providers to insure payment of the Company ’s obligations in the event the Company is unable to meet its claim payment obligations up to its self -insured retention levels.  These bonds do not represent liabilities of the Company, as the Company has recorded reserves for the claim costs.   The Company is similarly self -insured for property -related losses.  The Company maintains stop loss coverage to limit its property loss exposures including coverage for earthquake, wind, flood and other catastrophic events.   Revenue Recognition   Revenues from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale.  Discounts provided to customers by the Company at the time of sale, including those provided in connection with loyalty cards, are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold.  Discounts provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the coupons are redeemable at any retailer that accepts coupons.  The Company records a receivable from the vendor for the difference in sales price and cash received.  Pharmacy sales are recorded when product is provided to the customer.  Sales taxes are recorded as other accrued liabilities and not as a component of sales.  The Company does not recognize a sale when it sells its own gift cards and gift certificates.  Rather, it records a deferred liability equal to the amount received.  A sale is then recognized when the gift card or gift certificate is redeemed to purchase the Company ’s products.  Gift card and certificate breakage is recognized when redemption is deemed remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card.  The amount of breakage has not been material for 2015, 2014 and 2013.   Merchandise Costs   The “Merchandise costs ” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes product costs, net of discounts and allowances; advertising costs (see separate discussion below); inbound freight charges; warehousing costs, including receiving and inspection costs; transportation costs; and food production and operational costs.  Warehousing, transportation and manufacturing management salaries are also included in the “Merchandise costs ” line item; however, purchasing management salaries and administration costs are included in the “Operating, general and administrative ” line item along with most of the Company ’s other managerial and administrative costs.  Rent expense and depreciation and amortization expense are shown separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   Warehousing and transportation costs include distribution center direct wages, transportation direct wages, repairs and maintenance, utilities, inbound freight and, where applicable, third party warehouse management fees.  These costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred.   The Company believes the classification of costs included in merchandise costs could vary widely throughout the industry.  The Company ’s approach is to include in the “Merchandise costs ” line item the direct, net costs of acquiring products and making them available to customers in its stores.  The Company believes this approach most accurately presents the actual costs of products sold.   45   2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 599 $ 569 $ 537 Expense 234 246 220 Claim payments (225 ) (216 ) (215 ) Assumed from Roundy ’s or Harris Teeter 31 ¾ 27 Ending balance 639 599 569 Less: Current portion (223 ) (213 ) (224 ) Long -term portion $ 416 $ 386 $ 345 The Company recognizes all vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs when the related product is sold.  When possible, vendor allowances are applied to the related product cost by item and, therefore, reduce the carrying value of inventory by item.  When the items are sold, the vendor allowance is recognized.  When it is not possible, due to systems constraints, to allocate vendor allowances to the product by item, vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction in merchandise costs based on inventory turns and, therefore, recognized as the product is sold.   Advertising Costs   The Company ’s advertising costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred and are included in the “Merchandise costs ” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company ’s pre -tax advertising costs totaled $679 in 2015, $648 in 2014 and $587 in 2013.  The Company does not record vendor allowances for co -operative advertising as a reduction of advertising expense.   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments.   Segments   The Company operates retail food and drug stores, multi -department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.   The Company ’s retail operations, which represent over 99% of the Company ’s consolidated sales and EBITDA, are its only reportable segment.  The Company ’s retail operating divisions have been aggregated into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long -term financial performance.  In addition, the Company ’s operating divisions offer to its customers similar products, have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the Company ’s merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location.  The Company ’s operating divisions reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how the Company ’s Chief Executive Officer, who acts as the Company ’s chief operating decision maker, assess performance internally.  All of the Company ’s operations are domestic.   The following table presents sales revenue by type of product for 2015, 2014 and 2013.     (1)          Consists primarily of grocery, general merchandise, health and beauty care and natural foods. (2)          Consists primarily of produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli, bakery and fresh prepared. (3)          Consists primarily of sales related to jewelry stores, food production plants to outside customers, variable interest entities, a specialty pharmacy, in -store health clinics and online sales by Vitacost.com.   46   2.              M ERGERS   On December 18, 2015, the Company closed its merger with Roundy ’s by purchasing 100% of Roundy ’s outstanding common stock for $3.60 per share and assuming Roundy ’s outstanding debt, for a purchase price of $866.  The merger brings a complementary store base in communities throughout Wisconsin and a stronger presence in the greater Chicagoland area.  The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and was financed through a combination of commercial paper and long -term debt (see Note 6).  In a business combination, the purchase price is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values, with any excess of purchase price over fair value recognized as goodwill. In addition to recognizing the assets and liabilities on the acquired company ’s balance sheet, the Company reviews supply contracts, leases, financial instruments, employment agreements and other significant agreements to identify potential assets or liabilities that require recognition in connection with the application of acquisition accounting under Accounting Standards Codification ( “ASC ” ) 805. Intangible assets are recognized apart from goodwill when the asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or are separable from the acquired entity such that they may be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged either on a standalone basis or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.   Pending finalization of the Company ’s valuation and other items, the following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger with Roundy ’s:   2015 2014 2013 Amount % of total Amount % of total Amount % of total Non Perishable(1) $ 57,187 52.1 % $ 54,392 50.1 % $ 49,229 50.0 % Perishable(2) 25,726 23.4 % 24,178 22.3 % 20,625 21.0 % Fuel 14,802 13.5 % 18,850 17.4 % 18,962 19.3 % Pharmacy 9,778 8.9 % 9,032 8.3 % 8,073 8.2 % Other(3) 2,337 2.1 % 2,013 1.9 % 1,486 1.5 %                             Total Sales and other revenue $ 109,830 100.0 % $ 108,465 100.0 % $ 98,375 100.0 % December 18, 2015 ASSETS Cash and temporary cash investments $ 20   47   Of the $324 allocated to intangible assets, $211 relates to the Mariano ’s, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market and Copps trade names, to which we assigned an indefinite life and, therefore, will not be amortized.  The Company also recorded $69, $38, and $6 related to favorable leasehold interests, pharmacy prescription files and customer lists, respectively.  The Company will amortize the favorable leasehold interests over a weighted average of twelve years.  The Company will amortize the pharmacy prescription files and customer lists over seven and two years, respectively.  The goodwill recorded as part of the merger was attributable to the assembled workforce of Roundy ’s and operational synergies expected from the merger, as well as any intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition.  The transaction was treated as a stock purchase for income tax purposes.  The assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger did not result in a step up of the tax basis and goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  The above amounts represent the preliminary allocation of the purchase price, and are subject to revision when the resulting valuations of property and intangible assets are finalized, which will occur prior to December 18, 2016.  Due to the timing of the merger closing late in the year, the revenue and earnings of Roundy ’s in 2015 were not material.   On August 18, 2014, the Company closed its merger with Vitacost.com, Inc. ( “Vitacost.com ” ) by purchasing 100% of the Vitacost.com outstanding common stock for $8.00 per share or $287.  This merger affords the Company access to Vitacost.com ’s extensive e - commerce platform, which can be combined with the Company ’s customer insights and loyal customer base, to create new levels of personalization and convenience for customers.  The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and was financed through the issuance of commercial paper (see Note 6).   The Company ’s purchase price allocation was finalized in the second quarter of 2015. The changes in the fair values assumed from the preliminary amounts were not material.  The table below summarizes the final fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:   Store deposits in -transit 30 Receivables 43 FIFO inventory 323 Prepaid and other current assets 19 Total current assets 435         Property, plant and equipment 342 Intangibles 324 Other assets 4         Total Assets, excluding Goodwill 1,105         LIABILITIES Current portion of obligations under capital leases and financing obligations (9 ) Trade accounts payable (236 ) Accrued salaries and wages (40 ) Other current liabilities (89 ) Total current liabilities (374 )         Fair -value of long -term debt (678 ) Fair -value of long -term obligations under capital leases and financing obligations (20 ) Deferred income taxes (112 ) Pension and postretirement benefit obligations (36 ) Other long - term liabilities (111 )         Total Liabilities (1,331 )         Total Identifiable Net Liabilities (226 ) Goodwill 414 Total Purchase Price $ 188 August 18, 2014 ASSETS Total current assets $ 80         Property, plant and equipment 28 Intangibles 81         Total Assets, excluding Goodwill 189         LIABILITIES Total current liabilities (56 )         Deferred income taxes (6 )           Of the $81 allocated to intangible assets, the Company recorded $49, $26 and $6 related to customer relationships, technology and the trade name, respectively.  The Company will amortize the technology and the trade name, using the straight line method, over 10 and three years, respectively, while the customer relationships will be amortized over five years using the declining balance method.  The goodwill recorded as part of the merger was attributable to the assembled workforce of Vitacost.com and operational synergies expected from the merger, as well as any intangible assets that did not qualify for separate recognition.  The transaction was treated as a stock purchase for income tax purposes.  The assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger did not result in a step up of the tax basis and goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.   Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. ( “Harris Teeter ” ) merger had taken place at the beginning of 2012, the Vitacost.com merger had taken place at the beginning of 2013 and the Roundy ’s transaction had taken place at the beginning of 2014, are included in the following table.  The pro forma information includes historical results of operations of Harris Teeter, Vitacost.com and Roundy ’s, as well as adjustments for interest expense that would have been incurred due to financing the mergers, depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired and excludes the pre -merger transaction related expenses incurred by   48   Harris Teeter, Vitacost.com, Roundy ’s and the Company.  The pro forma information does not include efficiencies, cost reductions, synergies or investments in lower prices for our customers expected to result from the mergers.  The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the Harris Teeter merger been completed at the beginning of 2012, the Vitacost.com merger completed at the beginning of 2013 or the Roundy ’s merger completed at the beginning of 2014.     3.              G OODWILL AND I NTANGIBLE ASSETS   The following table summarizes the changes in the Company ’s net goodwill balance through January 30, 2016.     In 2015, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Roundy ’s, a supermarket retailer in the Wisconsin and Chicagoland markets, resulting in additional goodwill totaling $414.  Roundy ’s is accounted for as a single reporting unit.   In 2014, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Vitacost.com, an online retailer, resulting in additional goodwill of $160.   See Note 2 for additional information regarding the Roundy ’s and Vitacost.com mergers.   Testing for impairment must be performed annually, or on an interim basis upon the occurrence of a triggering event or a change in circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  The annual evaluations of goodwill and indefinite -lived intangible assets were performed during the fourth quarter of 2015, 2014 and 2013 did not result in impairment.   Based on current and future expected cash flows, the Company believes goodwill impairments are not reasonably likely.  A 10% reduction in fair value of the Company ’s reporting units would not indicate a potential for impairment of the Company ’s remaining goodwill balance.   In 2015, the Company acquired definite and indefinite lived intangible assets totaling approximately $324 as a result of the merger with Total Liabilities (62 )         Total Identifiable Net Assets 127 Goodwill 160 Total Purchase Price $ 287 Fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 Fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 Fiscal year ended February 1, 2014 Sales $ 113,308 $ 112,458 $ 103,584 Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 2,061 1,751 1,624 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 10 19 12                 Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 2,051 $ 1,732 $ 1,612 2015 2014 Balance beginning of year Goodwill $ 4,836 $ 4,667 Accumulated impairment losses (2,532 ) (2,532 ) 2,304 2,135             Activity during the year Mergers 420 169             Balance end of year Goodwill 5,256 4,836 Accumulated impairment losses (2,532 ) (2,532 ) $ 2,724 $ 2,304 Roundy ’s.   In 2014, the Company acquired definite and indefinite lived intangible assets totaling approximately $81 as a result of the merger with Vitacost.com.   49   The following table summarizes the Company ’s intangible assets balance through January 30, 2016.     (1)          Favorable leasehold interests are amortized to rent expense, pharmacy prescription files are amortized to merchandise costs, customer relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense and other intangibles are amortized to operating, general and administrative ( “ OG&A ” ) expense and depreciation and amortization expense.   Amortization expense associated with intangible assets totaled approximately $51, $41 and $18, during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite -lived intangible assets for the years subsequent to 2015 is estimated to be approximately:     4.              P ROPERTY, P LANT AND E QUIPMENT, N ET   Property, plant and equipment, net consists of:     Accumulated depreciation and amortization for leased property under capital leases was $293 at January 30, 2016 and $332 at January 31, 2015.   Approximately $264 and $260, net book value, of property, plant and equipment collateralized certain mortgages at January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively.   50   5.              T AXES B ASED ON I NCOME   The provision for taxes based on income consists of:   2015 2014 Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization(1) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization(1) Definite -lived favorable leasehold interests $ 169 $ (31 ) $ 101 $ (26 ) Definite -lived pharmacy prescription files 127 (40 ) 98 (41 ) Definite -lived customer relationships 93 (39 ) 87 (17 ) Definite -lived other 78 (23 ) 74 (13 ) Indefinite -lived trade name 641 — 430 — Indefinite -lived liquor licenses 78 — 64 —                     Total $ 1,186 $ (133 ) $ 854 $ (97 ) 2016 $ 57 2017 48 2018 42 2019 40 2020 35 Thereafter 112         Total future estimated amortization associated with definite -lived intangible assets $ 334 2015 2014 Land $ 2,997 $ 2,819 Buildings and land improvements 10,524 9,639 Equipment 12,520 11,587 Leasehold improvements 8,710 8,068 Construction -in -progress 2,115 1,690 Leased property under capital leases and financing obligations 801 737             Total property, plant and equipment 37,667 34,540 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (18,048 ) (16,628 )             Property, plant and equipment, net $ 19,619 $ 17,912     A reconciliation of the statutory federal rate and the effective rate follows:     The 2015 effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of tax credits, the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction and other changes, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes. The 2015 rate for state income taxes is lower than 2014 due to the filing of amended returns to claim additional benefits in years still under review, the favorable resolution of state issues and an increase in state credits. The 2013 rate for state income taxes is lower than 2015 and 2014 due to an increase in state credits, including the benefit from filing amended returns to claim additional credits. The 2013 benefit from the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction is greater than 2015 and 2014 due to the amendment of prior years ’ tax returns to claim the additional benefit available in years still under review by the Internal Revenue Service.   51   The tax effects of significant temporary differences that comprise tax balances were as follows:   2015 2014 2013 Federal Current $ 723 $ 847 $ 638 Deferred 266 (15 ) 81                 Subtotal federal 989 832 719 State and local Current 37 59 42 Deferred 19 11 (10 )                 Subtotal state and local 56 70 32                 Total $ 1,045 $ 902 $ 751 2015 2014 2013 Statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1.2 % 1.7 % 0.9 % Credits (1.2 )% (1.2 )% (1.3 )% Favorable resolution of issues (0.2 )% (0.4 )% ¾ % Domestic manufacturing deduction (0.7 )% (0.7 )% (1.1 )% Other changes, net (0.3 )% (0.3 )% (0.6 )%                 33.8 % 34.1 % 32.9 % 2015 2014 Current deferred tax assets: Net operating loss and credit carryforwards $ 10 $ 5 Compensation related costs 83 88 Other 61 14             Subtotal 154 107 Valuation allowance (9 ) (7 )             Total current deferred tax assets 145 100             Current deferred tax liabilities: Insurance related costs (56 ) (99 ) Inventory related costs (310 ) (288 )             Total current deferred tax liabilities (366 ) (387 )             Current deferred taxes $ (221 ) $ (287 )             Long -term deferred tax assets: Compensation related costs $ 709 $ 721 Lease accounting 106 129 Closed store reserves 57 50 Insurance related costs 29 77 Net operating loss and credit carryforwards 128 115 Other 17 2             Subtotal 1,046 1,094 Valuation allowance (43 ) (42 )               On November 19, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service issued implementation guidance for retailers with respect to recently issued tangible property regulations.  The adoption of this guidance resulted in the immediate deduction of qualifying costs related to current and prior year store remodels, resulting in an increase in long -term deferred tax liability and current income tax receivable.  The adoption of this guidance, along with the impact of the Roundy ’s merger, resulted in the increase in the deferred tax liability related to depreciation and amortization from January 31, 2015 to January 30, 2016.   At January 30, 2016, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $1,460.  These net operating loss carryforwards expire from 2016 through 2036.  The utilization of certain of the Company ’s state net operating loss carryforwards may be limited in a given year.  Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against some of the deferred tax assets resulting from its state net operating losses.   At January 30, 2016, the Company had state credit carryforwards of $65, most of which expire from 2016 through 2027.  The utilization of certain of the Company ’s credits may be limited in a given year. Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against some of the deferred tax assets resulting from its state credits.   52   At January 30, 2016, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $62. These net operating loss carryforwards expire from 2030 through 2034. The utilization of certain of the Company ’s federal net operating loss carryforwards may be limited in a given year. Further, based on the analysis described below, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting from its federal net operating losses.   The Company regularly reviews all deferred tax assets on a tax filer and jurisdictional basis to estimate whether these assets are more likely than not to be realized based on all available evidence.  This evidence includes historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversal of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies.  Projected future taxable income is based on expected results and assumptions as to the jurisdiction in which the income will be earned.  The expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences is based on current tax law and the Company ’s tax methods of accounting.  Unless deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized, a valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of the deferred tax asset until such time that realization becomes more likely than not.  Increases and decreases in these valuation allowances are included in “Income tax expense ” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including positions impacting only the timing of tax benefits, is as follows:     The Company does not anticipate that changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months will have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position.   As of January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $83, $90 and $98, respectively.   To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and classified as a component of income tax expense.  During the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the Company recognized approximately $(5), $3 and $10, respectively, in interest and penalties (recoveries).  The Company had accrued approximately $25, $30 and $41 for the payment of interest and penalties as of January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.   As of January 31, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its examination of our 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns and is currently auditing tax years 2012 and 2013. The 2012 and 2013 audits are expected to be completed in 2016.   53 Total long -term deferred tax assets 1,003 1,052             Long - term deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization (2,755 ) (2,261 )             Total long -term deferred tax liabilities (2,755 ) (2,261 )             Long -term deferred taxes $ (1,752 ) $ (1,209 ) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 246 $ 325 $ 299 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 11 17 23 Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year (11 ) (6 ) (10 ) Additions for tax positions of prior years 4 9 17 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (27 ) (36 ) (4 ) Settlements (17 ) (63 ) ¾ Lapse of statute (2 ) ¾ ¾ Ending balance $ 204 $ 246 $ 325   6.    D EBT O BLIGATIONS   Long -term debt consists of:     In 2015, the Company issued $500 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2026 bearing an interest rate of 3.50%, $300 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2021 bearing an interest rate of 2.60% and $300 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2019 bearing an interest rate of 2.00%, and repaid $500 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 3.90% upon maturity.  Due to the merger with Roundy ’s, the Company assumed $678 of term loans, which were entirely paid off following the merger.   In 2014, the Company issued $500 of senior notes due in fiscal year 2021 bearing an interest rate of 2.95% and repaid $300 of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 4.95% upon maturity.   On June 30, 2014, the Company amended, extended and restated its $2,000 unsecured revolving credit facility.  The Company entered into the amended credit facility to amend, extend and restate the Company ’s existing credit facility that would have terminated on January 25, 2017.  The amended credit facility provides for a $2,750 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement ” ), with a termination date of June 30, 2019, unless extended as permitted under the Credit Agreement.  The Company has the ability to increase the size of the Credit Agreement by up to an additional $750, subject to certain conditions.   Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company ’s option, at either (i) LIBOR plus a market rate spread, based on the Company ’s Leverage Ratio or (ii) the base rate, defined as the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate, and (c) one -month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus a market rate spread based on the Company ’s Leverage Ratio.  The Company will also pay a Commitment Fee based on the Leverage Ratio and Letter of Credit fees equal to a market rate spread based on the Company ’s Leverage Ratio.   The Credit 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 Company may repay the Credit Agreement in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.  The Credit Agreement is not guaranteed by the Company ’s subsidiaries.   As of January 30, 2016, the Company had $990 of borrowings of commercial paper, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.66%, and no borrowings under its Credit Agreement.  As of January 31, 2015, the Company had $1,275 of borrowings of commercial paper, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.37%, and no borrowings under its Credit Agreement.   As of January 30, 2016, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $244, of which $13 reduces funds available under the Company ’s Credit Agreement.  The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of the Company.   Most of the Company ’s outstanding public debt is subject to early redemption at varying times and premiums, at the option of the Company.  In addition, subject to certain conditions, some of the Company ’s publicly issued debt will be subject to redemption, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder upon the occurrence of a redemption event, upon not less than five days ’ notice prior to the date of redemption, at a redemption price equal to the default amount, plus a specified premium.  “Redemption Event ” is defined in the indentures as the occurrence of (i) any person or group, together with any affiliate thereof, beneficially owning 50% or more of the voting power of the Company, (ii) any one person or group, or affiliate thereof, succeeding in having a majority of its nominees elected to the Company ’s Board of Directors, in each case, without the consent of a majority of the continuing directors of the Company or (iii) both a change of control and a below investment grade rating.   54   The aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long -term debt, as of year -end 2015, and for the years subsequent to 2015 are:     2015 2014 0.76% to 8.00% Senior notes due through 2043 $ 9,826 $ 9,224 5.00% to 12.75% Mortgages due in varying amounts through 2027 58 73 0.27% to 0.66% Commercial paper due through February 2016 990 1,275 Other 522 454             Total debt 11,396 11,026 Less current portion (2,318 ) (1,844 )             Total long -term debt $ 9,078 $ 9,182 2016 $ 2,318 2017 735 2018 1,307 2019 774 2020 724 Thereafter 5,538         Total debt $ 11,396 7.              D ERIVATIVE F INANCIAL I NSTRUMENTS   GAAP defines derivatives, requires that derivatives be carried at fair value on the balance sheet, and provides for hedge accounting when certain conditions are met.  The Company ’s derivative financial instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as “cash flow ” hedges, to the extent the hedges are highly effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax effects.  Ineffective portions of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized in current period earnings.  Other comprehensive income or loss is reclassified into current period earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as “fair value ” hedges, along with corresponding changes in the fair values of the hedged assets or liabilities, are recorded in current period earnings.  Ineffective portions of fair value hedges, if any, are recognized in current period earnings.   The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether derivatives used as hedging instruments are highly effective in offsetting the changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged items.  If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or ceases to be highly effective, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.   Interest Rate Risk Management   The Company is exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of a commercial paper program, interest rate swaps (fair value hedges) and forward -starting interest rate swaps (cash flow hedges).  The Company ’s current program relative to interest rate protection contemplates hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed -rate debt attributable to changes in interest rates.  To do this, the Company uses the following guidelines: (i) use average daily outstanding borrowings to determine annual debt amounts subject to interest rate exposure, (ii) limit the average annual amount subject to interest rate reset and the amount of floating rate debt to a combined total of $2,500 or less, (iii) include no leveraged products, and (iv) hedge without regard to profit motive or sensitivity to current mark -to -market status.   The Company reviews compliance with these guidelines annually with the Financial Policy Committee of the Board of Directors.  These guidelines may change as the Company ’s needs dictate.   Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps   The table below summarizes the outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015.     55   The gain or loss on these derivative instruments as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings as “Interest expense. ”   These gains and losses for 2015 and 2014 were as follows:     The following table summarizes the location and fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges on the Company ’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:     Cash Flow Forward -Starting Interest Rate Swaps   As of January 30, 2016, the Company had seven forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of August 2017 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $400.  A forward -starting interest rate swap is an agreement that effectively hedges the variability in future benchmark interest payments attributable to changes in interest rates on the forecasted issuance of fixed -rate debt.  The Company entered into these forward -starting interest rate swaps in order to lock in fixed interest rates on its forecasted issuance of debt in August 2017.  Accordingly, the forward -starting interest rate swaps were designated as cash -flow hedges as defined by GAAP.  As of January 30, 2016, the fair value of the 2015 2014 Pay Floating Pay Fixed Pay Floating Pay Fixed Notional amount $ 100 $ — $ 100 $ — Number of contracts 2 — 2 — Duration in years 2.92 — 3.94 — Average variable rate 6.00 % — 5.83 % — Average fixed rate 6.80 % — 6.80 % — Maturity December 2018 December 2018 Year - To -Date January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Gain/(Loss) on Borrowings Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Gain/(Loss) on Borrowings Interest Expense $ 1 $ (1 ) $ 2 $ (2 ) Asset Derivatives Fair Value Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 Balance Sheet Location Interest Rate Hedges $ 1 $ — (Other long - term liabilities)/Other assets interest rate swaps was recorded in other long -term liabilities for $27 and accumulated other comprehensive loss for $17 net of tax.   As of January  31, 2015, the Company had four forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of October 2015 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $300 and seven forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of August 2017 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $400.  The Company entered into these forward -starting interest rate swaps in order to lock in fixed interest rates on its forecasted issuances of debt in October 2015 and August 2017.  Accordingly, the forward -starting interest rate swaps were designated as cash -flow hedges as defined by GAAP.  As of January 31, 2015, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was recorded in other long - term liabilities for $39 and accumulated other comprehensive loss for $25 net of tax.   During 2015, the Company terminated eight forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with maturity dates of October 2015 and January 2016 with an aggregate notional amount totaling $600.  Four of these forward -starting interest rate swap agreements, with an aggregate notional amount totaling $300, were entered into and terminated in 2015.  These forward -starting interest rate swap agreements were hedging the variability in future benchmark interest payments attributable to changing interest rates on the forecasted issuance of fixed -rate debt issued in 2015.  As discussed in Note 6, the Company issued $1,100 of senior notes in 2015.  Since these forward -starting interest rate swap agreements were classified as cash flow hedges, the unamortized loss of $17, $11 net of tax, has been deferred in AOCI and will be amortized to earnings as the interest payments are made.   The following table summarizes the effect of the Company ’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for 2015 and 2014:     *The amounts of Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on derivatives include unamortized proceeds and payments from forward -starting interest rate swaps once classified as cash flow hedges that were terminated prior to end of 2015.   56   For the above fair value and cash flow interest rate swaps, the Company has entered into International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts.  Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the Company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions.  These master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event.   Collateral is generally not required of the counterparties or of the Company under these master netting agreements. As of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, no cash collateral was received or pledged under the master netting agreements.   The effect of the net settlement provisions of these master netting agreements on the Company ’s derivative balances upon an event of default or termination event is as follows as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015:       Commodity Price Protection   The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its food production plants and Year - To -Date Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Amount of Gain/(Loss) in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified into Income Relationships 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Effective Portion) Forward -Starting Interest Rate Swaps, net of tax* $ (51 ) $ (49 ) $ (1 ) $ (1 ) Interest expense Net Amount Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet January 30, 2016 Gross Amount Recognized Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amount Assets Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps 1 — 1 — — 1                             Liabilities Cash Flow Forward - Starting Interest Rate Swaps $ 27 $ — $ 27 $ — $ — $ 27 Net Amount Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet January 31, 2015 Gross Amount Recognized Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amount Liabilities Cash Flow Forward - Starting Interest Rate Swaps $ 39 $ — $ 39 $ — $ — $ 39 energy to be used in its stores, warehouses, food production plants and administrative offices.  The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of normal business.  Those commitments for which the Company expects to utilize or take delivery in a reasonable amount of time in the normal course of business qualify as normal purchases and normal sales.   8.              F AIR V ALUE M EASUREMENTS   GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined in the standards are as follows:   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.   57   For items carried at (or adjusted to) fair value in the consolidated financial statements, the following tables summarize the fair value of these instruments at January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015:   January 30, 2016 Fair Value Measurements Using     January 31, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Using     In 2015 and 2014, unrealized gains on the Level 1 available -for -sale securities totaled $5 and $8, respectively.   The Company values warrants using the Black -Scholes option -pricing model.  The Black -Scholes option -pricing model is classified as a Level 2 input.   The Company values interest rate hedges using observable forward yield curves.  These forward yield curves are classified as Level 2 inputs.   Fair value measurements of non -financial assets and non -financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of goodwill, other intangible assets, long -lived assets and in the valuation of store lease exit costs.  The Company reviews goodwill and indefinite -lived intangible assets for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and as circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment.  See Note 3 for further discussion related to the Company ’s carrying value of goodwill.  Long -lived assets and store lease exit costs were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 1 for further discussion of the Company ’s policies and recorded amounts for impairments of long -lived assets and valuation of store lease exit costs.  In 2015, long -lived assets with a carrying amount of $53 were written down to their fair value of $7, resulting in an impairment charge of $46.  In 2014, long -lived assets with a carrying amount of $59 were written down to their fair value of $22, resulting in an impairment charge of $37.   Mergers are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that the purchase price paid for an acquisition be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the effective date of the acquisition, with the excess of the purchase price over the net assets being recorded as goodwill.  See Note 2 for further discussion related to accounting for mergers.   58 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Trading Securities $ 48 $ — $ — $ 48 Available -for -Sale Securities 41 — — 41 Long -Lived Assets — — 7 7 Interest Rate Hedges — ( 26 ) — ( 26 ) Total $ 89 $ (26 ) $ 7 $ 70 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Trading Securities $ 47 $ — $ — $ 47 Available -for -Sale Securities 36 — — 36 Warrants — 26 — 26 Long -Lived Assets — — 22 22 Interest Rate Hedges — ( 39 ) — ( 39 ) Total $ 83 $ (13 ) $ 22 $ 92   Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments   Current and Long -term Debt   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 respective year -ends.  At January 30, 2016, the fair value of total debt was $12,344 compared to a carrying value of $11,396.  At January 31, 2015, the fair value of total debt was $12,378 compared to a carrying value of $11,026.   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   The carrying amounts of these items approximated fair value.   Other Assets   The fair values of these investments were estimated based on quoted market prices for those or similar investments, or estimated cash flows, if appropriate.  At January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, the carrying and fair value of long -term investments for which fair value is determinable was $128 and $133, respectively.  At January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, the carrying value of notes receivable for which fair value is determinable was $145 and $98, respectively.   59   9.  A CCUMULATED O THER C OMPREHENSIVE I NCOME (L OSS )   The following table represents the changes in AOCI by component for the years ended January 31, 2015 and January 30, 2016:     (1)          All amounts are net of tax. (2)          Net of tax of $(14), $3 and $(206) for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of January 31, 2015.  Net of tax of $(2), $2 and $45 for cash flow hedging activities, available for sale securities and pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, respectively, as of January 30, 2016. (3)          Net of tax of $13 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans, as of January 31, 2015.  Net of tax of $32 for pension and postretirement defined benefit plans as of January 30, 2016.   The following table represents the items reclassified out of AOCI and the related tax effects for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014:   Cash Flow Hedging Activities(1) Available for sale Securities(1) Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans(1) Total(1) Balance at February 1, 2014 $ (25 ) $ 12 $ (451 ) $ (464 ) OCI before reclassifications(2) (25 ) 5 (351 ) (371 ) Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3) 1 — 22 23 Net current -period OCI (24 ) 5 (329 ) (348 )                     Balance at January 31, 2015 (49 ) 17 (780 ) (812 ) OCI before reclassifications(2) (3 ) 3 78 78 Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(3) 1 — 53 54 Net current -period OCI (2 ) 3 131 132                     Balance at January 30, 2016 $ (51 ) $ 20 $ (649 ) $ (680 ) For the year ended For the year ended For the year ended January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 February 1, 2014 Gains on cash flow hedging activities Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging activities(1) $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 Tax expense — — ( 1 ) Net of tax 1 1 1                 Pension and postretirement defined benefit plan items Amortization of amounts included in net periodic pension expense(2) 85 35 98 Tax expense (32 ) (13 ) (36 ) Net of tax 53 22 62   (1)          Reclassified from AOCI into interest expense. (2)          Reclassified from AOCI into merchandise costs and OG&A expense.  These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (see Note 15 for additional details).   60   10.        L EASES AND L EASE - FINANCED T RANSACTIONS   While the Company ’s current strategy emphasizes ownership of store real estate, the Company operates primarily in leased facilities. Lease terms generally range from 10 to 20 years with options to renew for varying terms. Terms of certain leases include escalation clauses, percentage rent based on sales 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 beginning with the earlier of the lease commencement date or the date the Company takes possession.  Portions of certain properties are subleased to others for periods generally ranging from one to 20 years.   Rent expense (under operating leases) consists of:     Minimum annual rentals and payments under capital leases and lease -financed transactions for the five years subsequent to 2015 and in the aggregate are:     Total future minimum rentals under noncancellable subleases at January 30, 2016 were $261.   61   11.        E ARNINGS P ER C OMMON S HARE   Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share equals 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 equals 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:   Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 54 $ 23 $ 63 2015 2014 2013 Minimum rentals $ 807 $ 795 $ 706 Contingent payments 18 16 13 Tenant income (102 ) (104 ) (106 )                 Total rent expense $ 723 $ 707 $ 613 Capital Leases Operating Leases Lease - Financed Transactions 2016 $ 103 $ 967 $ 7 2017 72 922 7 2018 62 853 8 2019 57 774 8 2020 52 674 9 Thereafter 527 4,199 63                 Total $ 873 $ 8,389 $ 102                 Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases —                 Net minimum lease payments under capital leases 873 Less amount representing interest 293                 Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases $ 580 For the year ended January 30, 2016 For the year ended January 31, 2015 For the year ended February 1, 2014 Earnings (Numer - Shares (Denomi - Per Share Earnings (Numer - Shares (Denomi - Per Share Earnings (Numer - Shares (Denomi - Per Share   The Company had combined undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities totaling $18, $17 and $12 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   The Company had options outstanding for approximately 1.9 million, 4.6 million and 4.7 million, respectively, for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, which 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 diluted share.   62   12.        S TOCK O PTION P LANS   The Company grants options for common shares ( “stock options ” ) to employees under various plans at an option price equal to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant.  The Company accounts for stock options under the fair value recognition provisions .  Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share -based payments granted.  The Company recognizes share -based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.  Equity awards may be made at one of four meetings of its Board of Directors occurring shortly after the Company ’s release of quarterly earnings.  The 2015 primary grant was made in conjunction with the June meeting of the Company ’s Board of Directors. Certain changes to the stock option compensation strategy were put into effect in 2015, which resulted in a reduction to the number of stock options granted in 2015, compared to 2014 and 2013.   Stock options typically expire 10 years from the date of grant.  Stock options vest between one and five years from the date of grant.  At January 30, 2016, approximately 37 million common shares were available for future option grants under these plans.   In addition to the stock options described above, the Company awards restricted stock to employees and non -employee directors under various plans.  The restrictions on these awards generally lapse between one and five years from the date of the awards.  The Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.  As of January 30, 2016, approximately 21 million common shares were available under the 2008, 2011 and 2014 Long - Term Incentive Plans (the “Plans ” ) for future restricted stock awards or shares issued to the extent performance criteria are achieved.  The Company has the ability to convert shares available for stock options under the Plans to shares available for restricted stock awards.  Under the Plans, four shares available for option awards can be converted into one share available for restricted stock awards.   All awards become immediately exercisable upon certain changes of control of the Company.   Stock Options   Changes in options outstanding under the stock option plans are summarized below:     63   A summary of options outstanding, exercisable and expected to vest at January 30, 2016 follows:   (in millions, except per share amounts) ator) nator) Amount ator) nator) Amount ator) nator) Amount Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share $ 2,021 966 $ 2.09 $ 1,711 981 $ 1.74 $ 1,507 1,028 $ 1.47 Dilutive effect of stock options 14 12 12                                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share $ 2,021 980 $ 2.06 $ 1,711 993 $ 1.72 $ 1,507 1,040 $ 1.45 Shares subject to option (in millions) Weighted - average exercise price Outstanding, year -end 2012 53.0 $ 11.30 Granted 8.4 $ 18.84 Exercised (17.7 ) $ 11.11 Canceled or Expired (0.4 ) $ 12.74             Outstanding, year -end 2013 43.3 $ 12.83 Granted 8.4 $ 24.71 Exercised (10.3 ) $ 11.56 Canceled or Expired (0.6 ) $ 15.56             Outstanding, year -end 2014 40.8 $ 15.56 Granted 3.4 $ 38.40 Exercised (8.9 ) $ 13.54 Canceled or Expired (0.4 ) $ 19.98             Outstanding, year -end 2015 34.9 $ 18.26     Restricted stock   Changes in restricted stock outstanding under the restricted stock plans are summarized below:     The weighted -average grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $9.78, $5.98 and $4.49, respectively.  The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black -Scholes option -pricing model, based on the assumptions shown in the table below.  The Black -Scholes model utilizes accounting judgment and financial estimates, including the term option holders are expected to retain their stock options before exercising them, the volatility of the Company ’s share price over that expected term, the dividend yield over the term and the number of awards expected to be forfeited before they vest.  Using alternative assumptions in the calculation of fair value would produce fair values for stock option grants that could be different than those used to record stock -based compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The increase in the fair value of the stock options granted during 2015, compared to 2014, resulted primarily from an increase in the Company ’s share price, which decreased the expected dividend yield.  The increase in the fair value of the stock options granted during 2014, compared to 2013, resulted primarily from an increase in the Company ’s share price, which decreased the expected dividend yield, and an increase in the weighted average risk -free interest rate.   The following table reflects the weighted -average assumptions used for grants awarded to option holders:     64   The weighted -average risk -free interest rate was based on the yield of a treasury note as of the grant date, continuously compounded, which matures at a date that approximates the expected term of the options.  The dividend yield was based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts.  Expected volatility was determined based upon historical stock volatilities; however, implied volatility was also considered.  Expected term was determined based upon historical exercise and cancellation experience.   Total stock compensation recognized in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $165, $155 and $107, respectively.  Stock option compensation recognized in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $31, $32 and $24, respectively.  Restricted shares compensation recognized in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $134, $123 and $83, respectively.   The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $217, $142 and $115 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The total amount of cash received in 2015 by the Company from the exercise of options granted under share -based payment arrangements was $120.  As of January 30, 2016, there was $206 of total unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to non -vested share -based compensation arrangements granted under the Company ’s equity award plans.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted -average period of approximately two years.  The total fair value of options that vested was $33, $26 and $20 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Number of shares Weighted - average remaining contractual life Weighted - average exercise price Aggregate intrinsic value (in millions) (in years) (in millions) Options Outstanding 34.9 6.20 $ 18.26 719 Options Exercisable 21.4 5.05 $ 14.24 526 Options Expected to Vest 13.2 8.02 $ 24.53 189 Restricted shares outstanding (in millions) Weighted -average grant -date fair value Outstanding, year -end 2012 8.6 $ 11.34 Granted 6.3 $ 18.84 Lapsed (5.1 ) $ 11.49 Canceled or Expired (0.2 ) $ 13.66             Outstanding, year -end 2013 9.6 $ 16.16 Granted 6.1 $ 24.76 Lapsed (5.2 ) $ 16.52 Canceled or Expired (0.3 ) $ 18.67             Outstanding, year -end 2014 10.2 $ 21.04 Granted 3.2 $ 38.34 Lapsed (5.4 ) $ 21.49 Canceled or Expired (0.4 ) $ 22.80             Outstanding, year -end 2015 7.6 $ 28.01 2015 2014 2013 Weighted average expected volatility 24.07 % 25.29 % 26.34 % Weighted average risk -free interest rate 2.12 % 2.06 % 1.87 % Expected dividend yield 1.20 % 1.51 % 1.82 % Expected term (based on historical results) 7.2 years 6.6 years 6.8 years   Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises may be newly issued shares or reissued treasury shares.  Proceeds received from the exercise of options, and the related tax benefit, may be utilized to repurchase the Company ’s common shares under a stock repurchase program adopted by the Company ’s Board of Directors.  During 2015, the Company repurchased approximately five million common shares in such a manner.   13.        C OMMITMENTS AND C ONTINGENCIES   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.   The principal contingencies are described below:   Insurance — The Company ’s workers ’ compensation risks are self -insured in most states. In addition, other workers ’ compensation risks and certain levels of insured general liability risks are based on retrospective premium plans, deductible plans, and self -insured retention plans.  The liability for workers ’ compensation risks is accounted for on a present value basis.  Actual claim settlements and expenses incident thereto may differ from the provisions for loss.  Property risks have been underwritten by a subsidiary and are all reinsured with unrelated insurance companies.  Operating divisions and subsidiaries have paid premiums, and the insurance subsidiary has provided loss allowances, based upon actuarially determined estimates.   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 when an adverse outcome is probable.  Nonetheless, assessing and predicting the outcomes of these matters involves 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.   Assignments — The Company is contingently liable for leases that have been assigned to various third parties in connection with facility closings and dispositions.  The Company could be required to satisfy the obligations under the leases if any of the assignees is unable to fulfill its lease obligations.  Due to the wide distribution of the Company ’s assignments among third parties, and various other remedies available, the Company believes the likelihood that it will be required to assume a material amount of these obligations is remote.   65   14.        S TOCK   Preferred Shares   The Company has authorized five million shares of voting cumulative preferred shares; two million shares were available for issuance at January 30, 2016.  The shares have a par value of $100 per share and are issuable in series.   Common Shares   The Company has authorized two billion common shares, $1 par value per share.   On June 25, 2015, the Company ’s Board of Directors approved a two -for -one stock split of The Kroger Co. ’s common shares in the form of a 100% stock dividend, which was effective July 13, 2015.  All share and per share amounts in the Company ’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.   Common Stock Repurchase Program   The Company maintains stock repurchase programs that comply with Rule 10b5 -1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow for the orderly repurchase of The Kroger Co. common shares, from time to time.  The Company made open market purchases totaling $500, $1,129 and $338 under these repurchase programs in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  In addition to these repurchase programs, in December 1999, the Company began a program to repurchase common shares to reduce dilution resulting from its employee stock option plans.  This program is solely funded by proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefit.  The Company repurchased approximately $203, $154 and $271 under the stock option program during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   15.        C OMPANY - S PONSORED B ENEFIT P LANS   The Company administers non -contributory defined benefit retirement plans for some non -union employees and union -represented employees as determined by the terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements.  These include several qualified pension plans (the “ Qualified Plans ” ) and non -qualified pension plans (the “Non -Qualified Plans ” ).  The Non -Qualified Plans pay benefits to any employee that earns in excess of the maximum allowed for the Qualified Plans by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company only funds obligations under the Qualified Plans.  Funding for the Company -sponsored pension plans is based on a review of the specific requirements and on evaluation of the assets and liabilities of each plan.   In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees.  The majority of the Company ’s employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while employed by the Company.  Funding of retiree health care benefits occurs as claims or premiums are paid.   The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of AOCI.  All plans are measured as of the Company ’s fiscal year end.   66   Amounts recognized in AOCI as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015 consists of the following (pre - tax):     Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension or postretirement benefit costs in the next fiscal year are as follows (pre - tax):     Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income in 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (pre - tax):     67   Information with respect to change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets, the funded status of the plans recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net amounts recognized at the end of fiscal years, weighted average assumptions and components of net periodic benefit cost follow:   Pension Benefits Other Benefits Total 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 1,213 $ 1,398 $ (121 ) $ (89 ) $ 1,092 $ 1,309 Prior service cost (credit) 1 1 (66 ) (75 ) (65 ) (74 )                             Total $ 1,214 $ 1,399 $ (187 ) $ (164 ) $ 1,027 $ 1,235 Pension Benefits Other Benefits Total 2016 2016 2016 Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 62 $ (9 ) $ 53 Prior service credit — ( 8 ) (8 )                 Total $ 62 $ (17 ) $ 45 Pension Benefits Other Benefits Total 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Incurred net actuarial loss (gain) $ (83 ) $ 590 $ (243 ) $ (39 ) $ 14 $ (97 ) $ (122 ) $ 604 $ (340 ) Amortization of prior service credit — — — 11 7 4 11 7 4 Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss) (102 ) (50 ) (102 ) 7 8 — ( 95 ) (42 ) (102 ) Other — — — ( 2 ) (47 ) (30 ) (2 ) (47 ) (30 ) Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (185 ) 540 (345 ) (23 ) (18 ) (123 ) (208 ) 522 (468 )                                         Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income $ (82 ) $ 595 $ (271 ) $ (22 ) $ (9 ) $ (95 ) $ (104 ) $ 586 $ (366 ) Pension Benefits Qualified Plans Non -Qualified Plans Other Benefits 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year $ 4,102 $ 3,509 $ 304 $ 263 $ 275 $ 294 Service cost 62 48 3 3 10 11 Interest cost 154 169 12 13 9 13 Plan participants ’ contributions — — — — 10 11 Actuarial (gain) loss (411 ) 539 (17 ) 40 (39 ) 14 Benefits paid (162 ) (163 ) (17 ) (15 ) (19 ) (21 )   As of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, other current liabilities include $31 and $29, respectively, of net liability recognized for the above benefit plans.   As of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, pension plan assets do not include common shares of The Kroger Co.     The Company ’s discount rate assumptions were intended to reflect the rates at which the pension benefits could be effectively settled.  They take into account the timing and amount of benefits that would be available under the plans.  The Company ’s policy is to match the plan ’s cash flows to that of a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flow from coupons and maturities match the plan ’s projected benefit cash flows.  The discount rates are the single rates that produce the same present value of cash flows.  The selection of the 4.62% and 4.44% discount rates as of year -end 2015 for pension and other benefits, respectively, represents the hypothetical bond portfolio using bonds with an AA or better rating constructed with the assistance of an outside consultant.  A 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would decrease the projected pension benefit obligation as of January 31, 2016, by approximately $438.   68   To determine the expected rate of return on pension plan assets held by the Company for 2015, the Company considered current and forecasted plan asset allocations as well as historical and forecasted rates of return on various asset categories.  In 2015 and 2014, the Company decreased the assumed pension plan investment return rate to 7.44% compared to 8.50% in 2013.  The Company pension plan ’s average rate of return was 6.47% for the 10 calendar years ended December 31, 2015, net of all investment management fees and expenses.  The value of all investments in the Qualified Plans during the calendar year ending December 31, 2015 decreased 0.80%, net of investment management fees and expenses.  For the past 20 years, the Company ’s average annual rate of return has been 7.99%.  Based on the above information and forward looking assumptions for investments made in a manner consistent with the Company ’s target allocations, the Company believes a 7.44% rate of return assumption is reasonable.   The Company calculates its expected return on plan assets by using the market -related value of plan assets.  The market -related value of plan assets is determined by adjusting the actual fair value of plan assets for gains or losses on plan assets.  Gains or losses represent the difference between actual and expected returns on plan investments for each plan year.  Gains or losses on plan assets are recognized evenly over a five year period.  Using a different method to calculate the market -related value of plan assets would provide a different expected return on plan assets.   On January 31, 2015, the Company adopted new mortality tables based on mortality experience and assumptions for generational mortality improvement in calculating the Company ’s 2015 and 2014 Company sponsored benefit plans obligations. The tables assume an improvement in life expectancy and increase our current year benefit obligation and future net periodic benefit cost.  The Company used the RP - 2000 projected 2021 mortality table in calculating the Company ’s 2013 Company sponsored benefit plans obligations and the 2014 and 2013 Company -sponsored net periodic benefit cost.   The funded status increased in 2015, compared to 2014, due primarily to an increase in the discount rate and a decrease in plan assets.   The following table provides the components of the Company ’s net periodic benefit costs for 2015, 2014 and 2013:   Other (17 ) — 3 — ( 2 ) (47 ) Assumption of Roundy ’s benefit obligation 194 — 2 — — —                             Benefit obligation at end of fiscal year $ 3,922 $ 4,102 $ 290 $ 304 $ 244 $ 275                             Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year $ 3,189 $ 3,135 $ — $ — $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets (124 ) 217 — — — — Employer contributions 5 — 17 15 9 10 Plan participants ’ contributions — — — — 10 11 Benefits paid (162 ) (163 ) (17 ) (15 ) (19 ) (21 ) Other (18 ) — — — — — Assumption of Roundy ’s plan assets 155 — — — — —                             Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year $ 3,045 $ 3,189 $ — $ — $ — $ — Funded status at end of fiscal year $ (877 ) $ (913 ) $ (290 ) $ (304 ) $ (244 ) $ (275 ) Net liability recognized at end of fiscal year $ (877 ) $ (913 ) $ (290 ) $ (304 ) $ (244 ) $ (275 ) Pension Benefits Other Benefits Weighted average assumptions 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate — Benefit obligation 4.62 % 3.87 % 4.99 % 4.44 % 3.74 % 4.68 % Discount rate — Net periodic benefit cost 3.87 % 4.99 % 4.29 % 3.74 % 4.68 % 4.11 % Expected long -term rate of return on plan assets 7.44 % 7.44 % 8.50 % Rate of compensation increase — Net periodic benefit cost 2.85 % 2.86 % 2.77 % Rate of compensation increase — Benefit obligation 2.71 % 2.85 % 2.86 % Pension Benefits Qualified Plans Non -Qualified Plans Other Benefits   The following table provides the projected benefit obligation ( “ PBO ” ), accumulated benefit obligation ( “ABO ” ) and the fair value of plan assets for all Company -sponsored pension plans.     The following table provides information about the Company ’s estimated future benefit payments.     69   The following table provides information about the weighted average target and actual pension plan asset allocations.     Investment objectives, policies and strategies are set by the Pension Investment Committees (the “Committees ” ) appointed by the CEO.  The primary objectives include holding and investing the assets and distributing benefits to participants and beneficiaries of the pension plans.  Investment objectives have been established based on a comprehensive review of the capital markets and each underlying plan ’s current and projected financial requirements.  The time horizon of the investment objectives is long -term in nature and plan assets are managed on a going - concern basis.   Investment objectives and guidelines specifically applicable to each manager of assets are established and reviewed annually.  Derivative instruments may be used for specified purposes, including rebalancing exposures to certain asset classes.  Any use of derivative instruments for a purpose or in a manner not specifically authorized is prohibited, unless approved in advance by the Committees.   The current target allocations shown represent the 2015 targets that were established in 2014. The Company will rebalance by liquidating assets whose allocation materially exceeds target, if possible, and investing in assets whose allocation is materially below target.  If markets are illiquid, the Company may not be able to rebalance to target quickly.  To maintain actual asset allocations consistent with target allocations, assets are reallocated or rebalanced periodically.  In addition, cash flow from employer contributions and participant benefit payments can be used to fund underweight asset classes and divest overweight asset classes, as appropriate.  The Company expects that cash flow will be sufficient to meet most rebalancing needs.   The Company is not required and does not expect to make any contributions to the Qualified Plans in 2016.  If the Company does make any contributions in 2016, the Company expects these contributions will decrease its required contributions in future years.  Among other things, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 62 $ 48 $ 40 $ 3 $ 3 $ 3 $ 10 $ 11 $ 17 Interest cost 154 169 144 12 13 9 9 13 15 Expected return on plan assets (230 ) (228 ) (224 ) — — — — — — Amortization of: Prior service credit — — — — — — ( 11 ) (7 ) (4 ) Actuarial (gain) loss 93 46 93 9 4 9 (7 ) (8 ) —                                         Net periodic benefit cost $ 79 $ 35 $ 53 $ 24 $ 20 $ 21 $ 1 $ 9 $ 28 Qualified Plans Non -Qualified Plans 2015 2014 2015 2014 PBO at end of fiscal year $ 3,922 $ 4,102 $ 290 $ 304 ABO at end of fiscal year $ 3,786 $ 3,947 $ 280 $ 297 Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 3,045 $ 3,189 $ — $ — Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2016 $ 234 $ 15 2017 $ 221 $ 16 2018 $ 230 $ 17 2019 $ 238 $ 18 2020 $ 248 $ 19 2021 – 2025 $ 1,346 $ 105 Target allocations Actual Allocations 2015 2015 2014 Pension plan asset allocation Global equity securities 16.0 % 14.9 % 13.4 % Emerging market equity securities 5.4 5.2 5.8 Investment grade debt securities 13.1 11.3 11.2 High yield debt securities 12.1 11.9 12.5 Private equity 5.2 7.4 6.6 Hedge funds 34.6 36.0 37.5 Real estate 3.4 3.9 3.5 Other 10.2 9.4 9.5                 Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % investment performance of plan assets, the interest rates required to be used to calculate the pension obligations, and future changes in legislation, will determine the amounts of any contributions.  The Company expects 2016 expense for Company -sponsored pension plans to be approximately $80.  In addition, the Company expects 401(k) retirement savings account plans cash contributions and expense from automatic and matching contributions to participants to be approximately $200 in 2016.   Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  The Company used a 6.90% initial health care cost trend rate, which is assumed to decrease on a linear basis to a 4.50% ultimate health care cost trend rate in 2028, to determine its expense.  A one -percentage -point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:     70   The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Qualified Plans ’ assets at fair value as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015:   Assets at Fair Value as of January 30, 2016     Assets at Fair Value as of January 31, 2015     71   For measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during 2015 and 2014, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is as follows:   1% Point Increase 1% Point Decrease Effect on total of service and interest cost components $ 3 $ (2 ) Effect on postretirement benefit obligation $ 23 $ (20 ) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 27 $ — $ — $ 27 Corporate Stocks 231 — — 231 Corporate Bonds — 76 — 76 U.S. Government Securities — 75 — 75 Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts 89 861 40 990 Partnerships/Joint Ventures — 118 — 118 Hedge Funds — — 1,104 1,104 Private Equity — — 225 225 Real Estate — — 103 103 Other — 96 — 96 Total $ 347 $ 1,226 $ 1,472 $ 3,045 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 73 $ — $ — $ 73 Corporate Stocks 294 — — 294 Corporate Bonds — 80 — 80 U.S. Government Securities — 78 — 78 Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts 123 503 40 666 Partnerships/Joint Ventures — 468 — 468 Hedge Funds — — 1,158 1,158 Private Equity — — 210 210 Real Estate — — 105 105 Other — 57 — 57 Total $ 490 $ 1,186 $ 1,513 $ 3,189 Hedge Funds  Private Equity Real Estate Collective Trusts Ending balance, February 1, 2014 $ 1,073 $ 243 $ 96 $ 39 Contributions into Fund 220 47 17 — Realized gains 47 35 14 1 Unrealized gains (losses) 18 (1 ) 4 — Distributions (257 ) (54 ) (25 ) — Reclass(1) 58 (58 ) — — Other (1 ) (2 ) (1 ) —   (1)          In 2014, the Company reclassified $58 of Level 3 assets from Private Equity to Hedge Funds.   See Note 8 for a discussion of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The assets ’ fair value measurement level above is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.   The following is a description of the valuation methods used for the Qualified Plans ’ assets measured at fair value in the above tables:   ·                  Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value approximates fair value.   ·                  Corporate Stocks: The fair values of these securities are based on observable market quotations for identical assets and are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.   ·                  Corporate Bonds: The fair values of these securities are primarily based on observable market quotations for similar bonds, valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.  When such quoted prices are not available, the bonds are valued using a discounted cash flow approach using current yields on similar instruments of issuers with similar credit ratings, including adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks.   ·                  U.S. Government Securities: Certain U.S. Government securities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded. Other U.S. government securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for similar securities, the security is valued under a discounted cash flow approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks.   ·                  Mutual Funds/Collective Trusts: The mutual funds/collective trust funds are public investment vehicles valued using a Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by the manager of each fund.  The NAV is based on the underlying net assets owned by the fund, divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV ’s unit price is quoted on a private market that is not active.  However, the NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the fund, which are traded on an active market, and valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.   ·                  Partnerships/Joint Ventures: These funds consist primarily of U.S. government securities, Corporate Bonds, Corporate Stocks, and derivatives, which are valued in a manner consistent with these types of investments, noted above.   72   ·                  Hedge Funds: Hedge funds are private investment vehicles valued using a Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by the manager of each fund.  The NAV is based on the underlying net assets owned by the fund, divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV ’s unit price is quoted on a private market that is not active.  The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the funds, which may be traded on an active market, and valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.  For investments not traded on an active market, or for which a quoted price is not publicly available, a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches, are employed by the fund manager to value investments.  Fair values of all investments are adjusted annually, if necessary, based on audits of the Hedge Fund financial statements; such adjustments are reflected in the fair value of the plan ’s assets.   ·                  Private Equity: Private Equity investments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying securities within the fund, which include investments both traded on an active market and not traded on an active market. For those investments that are traded on an active market, the values are based on the closing price reported on the active market on which those individual securities are traded.  For investments not traded on an active market, or for which a quoted price is not publicly available, a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches, are employed by the fund manager to value investments.  Fair values of all investments are adjusted annually, if necessary, based on audits of the private equity fund financial statements; such adjustments are reflected in the fair value of the plan ’s assets.   ·                  Real Estate: Real estate investments include investments in real estate funds managed by a fund manager.  These investments are valued using a variety of unobservable valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow, market multiple and cost valuation approaches.   The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of                     Ending balance, January 31, 2015 1,158 210 105 40 Contributions into Fund 239 47 13 — Realized gains 49 23 9 — Unrealized (losses) gains (49 ) (3 ) 3 — Distributions (294 ) (50 ) (26 ) — Other 1 (2 ) (1 ) —                     Ending balance, January 30, 2016 $ 1,104 $ 225 $ 103 $ 40 different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement.   The Company contributed and expensed $196, $177 and $148 to employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The 401(k) retirement savings account plans provide to eligible employees both matching contributions and automatic contributions from the Company based on participant contributions, compensation as defined by the plan, and length of service.   The Company also administers other defined contribution plans for eligible employees.  The cost of these plans was $5 for 2015, 2014 and 2013.   16.        MULTI - EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS   The Company contributes to various multi -employer pension plans, including the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan, based on obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements.  The Company is designated as the named fiduciary of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan and has sole investment authority over these assets.  These plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers.  The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose.  Trustees are appointed in equal number by employers and unions.  The trustees typically are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants as well as for such matters as the investment of the assets and the administration of the plans.   In 2015, the Company contributed $190 to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.  The Company had previously accrued $60 of the total contributions at January 31, 2015 and recorded expense for the remaining $130 at the time of payment in 2015.   In 2014, the Company incurred a charge of $56 (after -tax) related to commitments and withdrawal liabilities associated with the restructuring of pension plan agreements, of which $15 was contributed to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in 2014.   Refer to Note 19 for additional details on the effect of certain contributions on quarterly results for 2015 and 2014.   The Company recognizes expense in connection with its multi -employer pension plans as contributions are funded, or when commitments are made.  The Company made contributions to multi - employer funds of $426 in 2015, $297 in 2014 and $228 in 2013.   73   The risks of participating in multi -employer pension plans are different from the risks of participating in single -employer pension plans in the following respects:   a.              Assets contributed to the multi -employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.   b.              If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan allocable to such withdrawing employer may be borne by the remaining participating employers.   c.               If the Company stops participating in some of its multi -employer pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on its allocable share of the unfunded vested benefits of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.   The Company ’s participation in multi -employer plans is outlined in the following tables.  The EIN / Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number ( “ EIN ” ) and the three -digit pension plan number.  The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available in 2015 and 2014 is for the plan ’s year -end at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Among other factors, generally, plans in the red zone are less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded.  The FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented Column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan ( “ FIP ” ) or a rehabilitation plan (“ RP ” ) is either pending or has been implemented.  Unless otherwise noted, the information for these tables was obtained from the Forms 5500 filed for each plan ’s year -end at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  The multi -employer contributions listed in the table below are the Company ’s multi -employer contributions made in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.   74   The following table contains information about the Company ’s multi -employer pension plans:   FIP/RP Pension Protection Status EIN / Pension Act Zone Status Pending/ Multi -Employer Contributions Surcharge Pension Fund Plan Number 2015 2014 Implemented 2015 2014 2013 Imposed(6) SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund(1) (2) 95 -1939092 - 001 Red Red Implemented $ 55 $ 48 $ 45 No Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan (1) 84 -6277982 - 001 Green Green No 18 21 23 No Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan)(1) (3) 91 -6069306 – 001 Red Red Implemented 17 15 13 No     75   The following table describes (a) the expiration date of the Company ’s collective bargaining agreements and (b) the expiration date of the Company ’s most significant collective bargaining agreements for each of the material multi -employer funds in which the Company participates.   Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan (1) 84 -6045986 - 001 Green Green No 17 17 17 No Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan(1) 93 -6074377 - 001 Green Red No 9 7 7 No Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund (1) 52 -6118572 - 001 Red Red Implemented 11 11 12 No Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust(1) (4) (5) 91 -6134141 - 001 Red Red Implemented — 1 3 No Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension(1) 51 -6031512 - 001 Red Red Implemented 9 9 8 No Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan(1) 84 -6097461 - 001 Green Green No 7 8 8 No United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund(1) (4) 51 -6055922 - 001 Green Green No 35 33 33 No Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan 91 -6145047 - 001 Green Green No 31 30 31 No Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan 36 -6044243 - 001 Red Red Implemented 16 15 15 No UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan(1) 58 -6101602 – 001 Green Green No 190 70 — No Other 11 12 13                                  Total Contributions $ 426 $ 297 $ 228 (1) The Company ’s multi -employer contributions to these respective funds represent more than 5% of the total contributions received by the pension funds. (2) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan ’s year -end at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. (3) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan ’s year -end at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. (4) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan ’s year -end at June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013. (5) As of June 30, 2014, this pension fund was merged into the Sound Retirement Trust. After the completion of the merger, on July 1, 2014, certain assets and liabilities related to the Washington Meat Industry Pension Trust were transferred from the Sound Retirement Trust to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.

See the above information regarding the restructuring of certain pension plan agreements. (6) Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan. As of January 30, 2016, the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by the applicable pension fund. Expiration Date Most Significant Collective of Collective Bargaining Agreements(1) Bargaining (not in millions) Pension Fund Agreements Count Expiration SO CA UFCW Unions & Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund March 2016 to June 2017 2 March 2016 to June 2017 UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan March 2016 to August 2020 8 April 2016 to August 2020 Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan October 2016 to June 2018 1 October 2016 Sound Retirement Trust (formerly Retail Clerks Pension Plan) April 2016 to January 2018 2 May 2016 to August 2016 Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Plan January 2019 to February 2019 1 January 2019 Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan August 2015(2) to April 2017 3 August 2015(2) to June 2016 Bakery and Confectionary Union & Industry International Pension Fund June 2016 to July 2018 4 August 2016 to July 2018 Retail Food Employers & UFCW Local 711 Pension April 2017 to November 2019 1 March 2019 Denver Area Meat Cutters and Employers Pension Plan January 2019 to February 2019 1 January 2019 United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union — Industry Pension Fund March 2014(2) to April 2019 2 March 2017 to April 2019 Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan April 2017 to July 2017 to     Based on the most recent information available to it, the Company believes the present value of actuarial accrued liabilities in most of these multi -employer plans substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  Moreover, if the Company were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease making contributions to these funds, the Company could trigger a substantial withdrawal liability.  Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably estimated.   The Company also contributes to various other multi -employer benefit plans that provide health and welfare benefits to active and retired participants. Total contributions made by the Company to these other multi -employer health and welfare plans were approximately $1,192 in 2015, $1,200 in 2014 and $1,100 in 2013 .   76   17.        R ECENTLY A DOPTED A CCOUNTING S TANDARDS   In 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( “FASB ” ) amended Accounting Standards Codification 835, “Interest -Imputation of Interest. ” The amendment simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability by requiring it be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  This amendment became effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2015, and was adopted retrospectively in accordance with the standard. The adoption of this amendment resulted in amounts previously reported in other assets to now be reported within long -term debt including obligations under capital leases and financing obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These amounts were not material to the prior year.  The adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.   18.        R ECENTLY I SSUED A CCOUNTING S TANDARDS   In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ( “ASU ” ) 2014 - 09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard ’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  Per ASU 2015 - 14, “Deferral of Effective Date, ” this guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending February 2, 2019.  Early adoption is permitted as of the first quarter of the Company ’s fiscal year ending February 3, 2018.  The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption of this ASU on the Company ’s Consolidated Financial Statements.   In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 04, “Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer ’s Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets. ” This amendment permits an entity to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month end that is closest to the entity ’s fiscal year end for all plans. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.  The implementation of this amendment will not have an effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, and will not have a significant effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Balance Sheets .   In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). ” This amendment removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.  The implementation of this amendment will have an effect on the Company ’s Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and will not have an effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Statements of Operations or Consolidated Balance Sheets.   In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement -Period Adjustments. ” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. This guidance will be effective for the Company in its fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. The implementation of this amendment is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Financial Statements.   In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ” This amendment requires deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance will be effective for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this amendment will not have an effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and will not have a significant effect on the Company ’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.   In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 02, “Leases ” , which provides guidance for the recognition of lease agreements.  The standard ’s core principle is that a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right -of -use assets.  This guidance will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal year ending February 1, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted currently.  The adoption of this ASU will result in a significant increase to the Company ’s balance sheet for lease liabilities and right -of -use assets, and the Company is currently evaluating the other effects of adoption of this ASU on its Consolidated Financial Statements.   September 2020 5 September 2020 Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Plan September 2017 to November 2018 3 September 2017 to November 2018 (1) This column represents the number of significant collective bargaining agreements and their expiration date for each of the Company ’s pension funds listed above. For purposes of this table, the “significant collective bargaining agreements ” are the largest based on covered employees that, when aggregated, cover the majority of the employees for which we make multi -employer contributions for the referenced pension fund. (2) Certain collective bargaining agreements for each of these pension funds are operating under an extension. 77   19.        Q UARTERLY D ATA (U NAUDITED )   The two tables that follow reflect the unaudited results of operations for 2015 and 2014.     Annual amounts may not sum due to rounding.   In the third quarter of 2015, the Company incurred a $80 charge to OG&A expenses for contributions to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.   In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company incurred a $30 charge to OG&A expenses for contributions to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.   78   Quarter 2015 First (16 Weeks) Second (12 Weeks) Third (12 Weeks) Fourth (12 Weeks) Total Year (52 Weeks) Sales $ 33,051 $ 25,539 $ 25,075 $ 26,165 $ 109,830 Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below 25,760 20,065 19,478 20,193 85,496 Operating, general and administrative 5,354 4,068 4,169 4,355 17,946 Rent 215 155 172 181 723 Depreciation and amortization 620 477 484 508 2,089                         Operating profit 1,102 774 772 928 3,576 Interest expense 148 114 107 113 482                         Earnings before income tax expense 954 660 665 815 3,094 Income tax expense 330 227 238 250 1,045                         Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 624 433 427 565 2,049 Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 5 — ( 1 ) 6 10                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 619 $ 433 $ 428 $ 559 $ 2,039                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share $ 0.63 $ 0.44 $ 0.44 $ 0.57 $ 2.09                         Average number of shares used in basic calculation 969 963 965 966 966                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share $ 0.62 $ 0.44 $ 0.43 $ 0.57 $ 2.06                         Average number of shares used in diluted calculation 983 977 979 980 980                         Dividends declared per common share $ 0.093 $ 0.105 $ 0.105 $ 0.105 $ 0.408 Quarter 2014 First (16 Weeks) Second (12 Weeks) Third (12 Weeks) Fourth (12 Weeks) Total Year (52 Weeks) Sales $ 32,961 $ 25,310 $ 24,987 $ 25,207 $ 108,465 Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below 26,065 20,136 19,764 19,547 85,512 Operating, general and administrative 5,168 3,920 3,954 4,119 17,161 Rent 217 166 162 162 707 Depreciation and amortization 581 444 456 467 1,948                         Operating profit 930 644 651 912 3,137 Interest expense 147 112 114 115 488                         Earnings before income tax expense 783 532 537 797 2,649 Income tax expense 274 182 172 274 902                           Annual amounts may not sum due to rounding.   In the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $87 charge to OG&A expenses due to commitments and withdrawal liabilities arising from restructuring of certain pension plan agreements to help stabilize associates ’ future benefits.   In the third quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $25 charge to OG&A expenses due to contributions to the Company ’s charitable foundation and a $17 benefit to income tax expense due to certain tax items.   In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company incurred a $60 charge to OG&A expenses due to contributions to the Company ’s charitable foundation and a $55 charge to OG&A expenses for contributions to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan.   20.        S UBSEQUENT E VENT   In anticipation of future debt refinancing in fiscal years 2017 and 2018, the Company, in the first quarter of 2016, entered into additional forward -starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount totaling $1,300.  After entering into these additional forward - starting interest rate swaps, the Company has a total of $1,700 notional amount of forward -starting interest rate swaps outstanding.  The forward - starting interest rate swaps entered into in the first quarter of 2016 were designated as cash -flow hedges as defined by GAAP.   79   ITEM 9.                         CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.   None.   ITEM 9A.                CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.   As of January 30, 2016, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, together with a disclosure review committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer, evaluated the Company ’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company ’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 30, 2016.   C HANGES IN I NTERNAL C ONTROL O VER F INANCIAL R EPORTING   There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended January 30, 2016, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.   M ANAGEMENT ’S R EPORT ON I NTERNAL C ONTROL O VER F INANCIAL R EPORTING   Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.  With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) , issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Our management excluded Roundy ’s, Inc. from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting because it was acquired in a purchase business combination on December 18, 2015. Roundy ’s, Inc. is a wholly -owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues represent 2% and less than 1%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended January 30, 2016.  Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company ’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 30, 2016.   The effectiveness of the Company ’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2016, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which can be found in Item 8 of this Form 10 - K.   ITEM 9B.                OTHER INFORMATION.   Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 509 350 365 523 1,747 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 8 3 3 5 19                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. $ 501 $ 347 $ 362 $ 518 $ 1,728                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share $ 0.50 $ 0.35 $ 0.37 $ 0.53 $ 1.74                         Average number of shares used in basic calculation 1,002 970 972 972 981                         Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share $ 0.49 $ 0.35 $ 0.36 $ 0.52 $ 1.72                         Average number of shares used in diluted calculation 1,014 982 984 987 993                         Dividends declared per common share $ 0.083 $ 0.083 $ 0.093 $ 0.093 $ 0.350   None.   80   PART III   ITEM 10.                  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.   The information required by this Item not otherwise set forth below is set forth under the headings Election of Directors, Information Concerning the Board of Directors — Committees of the Board, Information Concerning the Board of Directors — Audit Committee, Information Concerning the Board of Directors — Code of Ethics and Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance in the definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission before May 27, 2016 (the “2016 proxy statement ” ) and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 - K.   EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY   The following is a list of the names and ages of the executive officers and the positions held by each such person or those chosen to become executive officers as of March 29, 2016.  Except as otherwise noted, each person has held office for at least five years.  Each officer will hold office at the discretion of the Board for the ensuing year until removed or replaced.     81   Name Age Recent Employment History           Jessica C. Adelman 40 Ms. Adelman joined Kroger on November 1, 2015 as Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Prior to joining Kroger, she served as senior vice president of corporate affairs for Syngenta North America, a leading agriculture company, since 2008. Prior to that, Ms. Adelman held several strategic leadership roles with other companies, including director of Cargill Government Solutions.

Ms. Adelman has 20 years of experience as a public affairs executive in the food industry.           Stuart W. Aitken 44 Mr. Aitken was elected Group Vice President effective June 25, 2015 and is responsible for leading Kroger ’s data analytics subsidiary, 84.51° LLC. Prior to joining Kroger, he served as the chief executive officer of dunnhumby USA, LLC from July 2010 to June 2015. Mr. Aitken has over 15 years of marketing, academic and technical experience across a variety of industries, and held various leadership roles with other companies, including Michaels Stores and Safeway, Inc.           Robert W. Clark 50 Mr. Clark was named Senior Vice President of Merchandising on March 8, 2016. Prior to this, he served as Group Vice President of Non -Perishables from March 2013 to March 2016. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Merchandising for Kroger ’s Fred Meyer division from October 2011 to March 2013. From August 2010 to October 2011 he served as Vice President of Operations for Kroger ’s Columbus division. Prior to that, from May 2002 to August 2010, he served as Vice President of Merchandising for Kroger ’s Fry ’s division. From 1985 to 2002, Mr. Clark held various leadership positions in store and district management, as well as grocery merchandising. Mr. Clark began his career with Kroger in 1985 as a courtesy clerk at Fry ’s.           Michael J. Donnelly 57 Mr. Donnelly was elected Executive Vice President of Merchandising effective September 17, 2015.

Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President of Merchandising from July 2011 to September 2015.

Prior to that, Mr. Donnelly held a variety of key management positions with Kroger, including President of Ralphs Grocery Company, President of Fry ’s Food Stores, and Senior Vice President, Drug/GM Merchandising and Procurement. Mr. Donnelly joined Kroger in 1978 as a clerk.           Kevin M. Dougherty 63 Mr. Dougherty was elected Group Vice President effective May 6, 2004 and is responsible for leading Kroger ’s Digital Strategy, focused on building Kroger ’s presence in the marketplace in digital channels, personalization and e -commerce. Prior to this, he was responsible for the oversight of Kroger ’s logistics and supply chain management. Mr. Dougherty joined Kroger as Vice President, Supply Chain Operations in 2001. Before joining Kroger, he maintained an independent consulting practice focusing on logistics and operational performance, and held leadership roles in the warehouse automation and healthcare industries. Todd A. Foley 46 Mr. Foley has served as Vice President and Treasurer since June 27, 2013. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Corporate Controller from March 2006 to June 2013. Prior to that, he served as Controller of Kroger ’s Cincinnati/Dayton division from October 2003 to March 2006. Mr. Foley began his career with Kroger in 2001 as an audit manager in the Internal Audit Department after working for PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1991 to 2001, where most recently he was a senior audit manager.           Christopher T. Hjelm 54 Mr. Hjelm was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer effective   82   September 17, 2015. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from August 28, 2005 to September 2015. From February 2005 to July 2005, he was Chief Information Officer of Travel Distribution Services for Cendant Corporation. From July 2003 to November 2004, Mr. Hjelm served as Chief Technology Officer for Orbitz LLC, which was acquired by Cendant Corporation in November 2004. Mr. Hjelm served as Senior Vice President for Technology at eBay Inc. from March 2002 to June 2003, and served as Executive Vice President for Broadband Network Services for Excite@Home from June 2001 to February 2002. From January 2000 to June 2001, Mr. Hjelm served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOHO Corporation. Prior to that, he held various key roles for 14 years with Federal Express Corporation, including that of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.           Sukanya R. Madlinger 52 Ms. Madlinger was elected Senior Vice President effective September 17, 2015, and is responsible for the oversight of several of Kroger ’s retail divisions. Prior to this, she served as President of Kroger ’s Cincinnati/Dayton division from 2010 to September 2015. Ms. Madlinger has held various leadership positions in operations and merchandising since joining Kroger in 1986.           Timothy A. Massa 49 Mr. Massa was elected Group Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations effective June 26, 2014. He joined Kroger in October 2010 as Vice President, Corporate Human Resources, Talent Development. Prior to joining Kroger, he served in various Human Resources leadership roles for 21 years at Procter & Gamble, most recently serving as Global Human Resources Director of Customer Business Development.           W. Rodney McMullen 55 Mr. McMullen was elected Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2015, and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2014. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from August 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. Prior to that he was elected Vice Chairman effective June 26, 2003, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Finance effective January 26, 2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 20, 1999, Senior Vice President effective October 5, 1997, and Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective June 18, 1995. Before that he was appointed Vice President, Control and Financial Services on March 4, 1993, and Vice President, Planning and Capital Management effective December 31, 1989. Mr. McMullen joined Kroger in 1978 as a part -time stock clerk.           Frederick J. Morganthall II 64 Mr. Morganthall was elected Executive Vice President of Retail Operations effective September 17, 2015. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President, Retail Divisions, from June 2015 to September 2015. Mr. Morganthall joined Kroger in 2014 as part of the Kroger -Harris Teeter merger, serving as President of Harris Teeter until June 2015. He joined Harris Teeter in 1986 and served in several key leadership roles prior to becoming president, including vice president of merchandising, vice president of distribution, and vice president of operations. Mr. Morganthall began his career in grocery retail in 1978 with Spartan Stores in Michigan. M. Marnette Perry 64 Ms. Perry has served as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations since October 24, 2012. Prior to this, she was elected Senior Vice President overseeing several of the Company ’s retail divisions effective July 2003 to October 2012. Prior to that she was elected Group Vice President of Perishables Merchandising and Procurement on March 3, 2003. Prior to this she held a variety of significant positions with the Company, including President of the Company ’s Michigan division, and President of the Company ’s Columbus division. Ms. Perry joined the Company in 1972. Ms. Perry has announced her intention to retire during fiscal 2016.           J. Michael Schlotman 58 Mr. Schlotman was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective September 17, 2015. Prior to this, he was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective June 26, 2003, and Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 26, 2000. Prior to that he was elected Vice President and Corporate Controller in 1995, and served in various positions in corporate accounting since joining Kroger in 1985.           Erin S. Sharp 58 Ms. Sharp has served as Group Vice President of Manufacturing since June 27, 2013. She joined Kroger in 2011 as Vice President of Operations for Kroger ’s Manufacturing division. Before joining Kroger, Ms. Sharp served as Vice President of Manufacturing for the Sara Lee Corporation. In that role, she led the manufacturing and logistics operations for the central region of their U.S. Fresh Bakery Division. Ms. Sharp has over 25 years of experience supporting food manufacturing operations.           Alessandro Tosolini 49 Mr. Tosolini was elected Senior Vice President of New Business Development on December 11, 2014. Before joining Kroger, he held numerous leadership positions with Procter & Gamble for 24 years, in the U.S. and internationally, most recently serving as senior vice president of Global e Business and vice president of Global eCommerce.           Mark C. Tuffin 56 Mr. Tuffin has served as Senior Vice President since January 17, 2014, and is responsible for the   83   ITEM 11.                  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.   The information required by this Item is set forth in the sections entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Compensation Committee Report, Executive Compensation, and Compensation Policies as they Relate to Risk Management in the 2016 proxy statement and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 - K.   ITEM 12.                  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.   The following table provides information regarding shares outstanding and available for issuance under our existing equity compensation plans.   Equity Compensation Plan Information       The remainder of the information required by this Item is set forth in the section entitled Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock in the 2016 proxy statement and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 - K.   ITEM 13.                  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.   This information required by this Item is set forth in the sections entitled Related Person Transactions and Information Concerning the Board of Directors -Independence in the 2016 proxy statement and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 - K.   ITEM 14.                  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.   The information required by this Item is set forth in the section entitled Selection of Auditors — Disclosure of Auditor Fees in the 2016 proxy statement and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 - K.   84 oversight of several of Kroger ’s retail divisions. Prior to this, he served as President of Kroger ’s Smith ’s division from July 2011 to January 2014. From September 2009 to July 2011, Mr. Tuffin served as Vice President of Transition, where he was responsible for implementing an organizational restructuring initiative for Kroger ’s retail divisions. He joined Kroger ’s Smith ’s division in 1996 and served in a series of leadership roles, including Vice President of Merchandising from September 1999 to September 2009. Mr. Tuffin held various positions with other supermarket retailers before joining Smith ’ s in 1996.           M. Elizabeth Van Oflen 58 Ms. Van Oflen was elected Vice President and Controller on April 11, 2003. Prior to her election, she held various positions in Kroger ’s Finance and Tax Departments. Ms. Van Oflen joined Kroger in 1982.           Christine S. Wheatley 45 Ms. Wheatley was elected Group Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel effective May 23, 2014. She joined Kroger in February 2008 as Corporate Counsel, and became Senior Attorney in 2010, Senior Counsel in 2011, and Vice President in 2012. Before joining Kroger, Ms. Wheatley was engaged in the private practice of law for 11 years, most recently as a partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur in Cincinnati. (a) (b) (c) Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) Weighted -average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) Number of securities remaining for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))                 Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 36,906,602 $ 18.26 57,992,548 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — $ — — Total 36,906,602 $ 18.26 57,992,548 (1) The total number of securities reported includes the maximum number of common shares, 1,955,376, that may be issued under performance units granted under one or more long -term incentive plans. The nature of the awards is more particularly described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis -Equity section of the definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10 -K. The weighted -average exercise price in column (b) does not take these performance unit awards into account. Based on historical data, or in the case of the award made in 2013 and earned in 2015 the actual payout percentage, our best estimate of the number of securities that will be issued under the performance unit agreements is approximately 1,068,776.   PART IV   ITEM 15.                  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.     85   (a)1. Financial Statements: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders ’ Equity for the years ended January 30, 2016, January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements       (a)2. Financial Statement Schedules: There are no Financial Statement Schedules included with this filing for the reason that they are not applicable or are not required or the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.       (a)3.(b) Exhibits       2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 8, 2013, among the Company, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, and Hornet Acquisition, Inc., a North Carolina corporation and wholly -owned subsidiary of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K, filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013.       3.1 Amended Articles of Incorporation are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 22, 2010, as amended by the Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.       3.2 The Company ’s regulations are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 - Q for the quarter ended May 26, 2007.       4.1 Instruments defining the rights of holders of long -term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries are not filed as Exhibits because the amount of debt under each instrument is less than 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company.  The Company undertakes to file these instruments with the SEC upon request.       10.1* Non -Employee Directors ’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix J to Exhibit 99.1 of Fred Meyer, Inc. ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K filed with the SEC on September 12, 1997.       10.2* The Kroger Co. Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.       10.3* The Kroger Co. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005.       10.4* The Kroger Co. 401(k) Retirement Savings Account Restoration Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.       10.5* Dillon Companies, Inc. Excess Benefit Pension Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.       10.6* The Kroger Co. Supplemental Retirement Plans for Certain Retirement Benefit Plan Participants. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007. 10.7* The Kroger Co. Employee Protection Plan dated December 13, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.       10.8 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2014, among The Kroger Co., the initial lenders named therein, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank National Association as co -administrative agents, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and U.S. Bank National Association, National Association, as co -documentation agents, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2014.       10.9* The Kroger Co. 2008 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on June 26, 2008.         86   10.10* The Kroger Co. 2011 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on June 23, 2011.       10.11* The Kroger Co. 2014 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on July 29, 2014.       10.12* Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.       10.13* Form of Non -Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 24, 2008.       10.14* Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015.       10.15* The Kroger Co. 2013 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014.       10.16* The Kroger Co. 2014 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.       10.17* The Kroger Co. 2015 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.       10.18* The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan.       10.19* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Current Report on Form 8 -K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2008, as amended by Amendment No. 1, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012 and Amendment No. 2, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012.       10.20* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Flexible Deferral Plan — Amendment and Restatement is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 1, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2010; Amendment No. 2, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 2, 2011; Amendment No. 3, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012; Amendment No. 4, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012; Amendment No. 5, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012; and Amendment 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2013. 10.21* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Executive Bonus Insurance Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 2, 2011, as amended by: First Amendment, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012; Second Amendment, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 - Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2012; and the Summary of the plan, effective as of July 8, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2013.       10.22* Harris Teeter Merger Cash Bonus Plan.       10.23*   Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreements entered into as of January 15, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and David Dillon, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.       10.24* Letter of Separation dated as of June 29, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and Michael Ellis, which is hereby incorporated by reference to  Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015.       10.25* Amendment to Stock Option entered as of June 29, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and Michael Ellis, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015.       12.1 Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.       21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.       23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.   * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.   87   SIGNATURES   Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities indicated on the 29  of March 2016.         24.1 Powers of Attorney.       31.1 Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification.       31.2 Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification.       32.1 Section 1350 Certifications.       101.INS XBRL Instance Document.       101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.       101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.       101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.       101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.       101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. THE KROGER CO.     Dated: March 29, 2016 /s/ W. Rodney McMullen W. Rodney McMullen Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) * Director Nora A. Aufreiter       * Director Robert D. Beyer       * Director Anne Gates       * Director Susan J. Kropf       * Director David B. Lewis       * Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer W. Rodney McMullen       * Director Jorge P. Montoya       * Director Clyde R. Moore       * Director Susan M. Phillips       th   88   EXHIBIT INDEX   * Director James A. Runde       * Director Ronald L. Sargent       * Chief Financial Officer J. Michael Schlotman (principal financial officer)       * Director Bobby S. Shackouls       * Vice President & Controller M. Elizabeth Van Oflen (principal accounting officer)       * By: /s/ Stacey M. Heiser Stacey M. Heiser Attorney -in -fact Exhibit No.     2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 8, 2013, among the Company, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, and Hornet Acquisition, Inc., a North Carolina corporation and wholly -owned subsidiary of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K, filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013.     3.1 Amended Articles of Incorporation are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 22, 2010, as amended by the Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.     3.2 The Company ’s regulations are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 - Q for the quarter ended May 26, 2007.     4.1 Instruments defining the rights of holders of long -term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries are not filed as Exhibits because the amount of debt under each instrument is less than 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company.  The Company undertakes to file these instruments with the SEC upon request.     10.1* Non -Employee Directors ’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix J to Exhibit 99.1 of Fred Meyer, Inc. ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K filed with the SEC on September 12, 1997.     10.2* The Kroger Co. Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.     10.3* The Kroger Co. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005.     10.4* The Kroger Co. 401(k) Retirement Savings Account Restoration Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.     10.5* Dillon Companies, Inc. Excess Benefit Pension Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.     10.6* The Kroger Co. Supplemental Retirement Plans for Certain Retirement Benefit Plan Participants. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.     10.7* The Kroger Co. Employee Protection Plan dated December 13, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.     10.8 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2014, among The Kroger Co., the initial lenders named therein, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank National Association as co -administrative agents, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and U.S. Bank National Association, National Association, as co -documentation agents, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company ’s Current Report on Form 8 - K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2014.     10.9* The Kroger Co. 2008 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on June 26, 2008.       89     90   10.10* The Kroger Co. 2011 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on June 23, 2011.     10.11* The Kroger Co. 2014 Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company ’s Form S - 8 filed with the SEC on July 29, 2014. 10.12* Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.     10.13* Form of Non -Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 24, 2008.     10.14* Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under Long -Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plans. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015.     10.15* The Kroger Co. 2013 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014.     10.16* The Kroger Co. 2014 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.     10.17* The Kroger Co. 2015 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.     10.18* The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan.     10.19* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Current Report on Form 8 -K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2008, as amended by Amendment No. 1, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012 and Amendment No. 2, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012.     10.20* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Flexible Deferral Plan — Amendment and Restatement is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 1, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2010; Amendment No. 2, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 2, 2011; Amendment No. 3, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012; Amendment No. 4, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2012; Amendment No. 5, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012; and Amendment 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2013.     10.21* Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. Executive Bonus Insurance Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended January 2, 2011, as amended by: First Amendment, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2012; Second Amendment, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 - Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2012; and the Summary of the plan, effective as of July 8, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Harris Teeter ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2013.     10.22* Harris Teeter Merger Cash Bonus Plan.     10.23*   Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreements entered into as of January 15, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and David Dillon, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended May 23, 2015.     10.24* Letter of Separation dated as of June 29, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and Michael Ellis, which is hereby incorporated by reference to  Exhibit 10.2 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015.     10.25* Amendment to Stock Option entered as of June 29, 2015 between The Kroger Co. and Michael Ellis, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10 -Q for the quarter ended August 15, 2015. 12.1 Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.       * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.   91 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 10.18   THE KROGER CO. 2016 LONG - TERM CASH BONUS PLAN   1.                                      PURPOSE OF THE LONG -TERM CASH BONUS PLAN.  The purpose of The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan (the “ 2016 Plan ” or the “Plan ” ) is to reward participating Kroger executive employees for improved Company long -term performance.   2.                                      ELIGIBILITY.  Awards under this Plan may be made only to employees who are executives of The Kroger Co. (the “Company ” or “Kroger ” ) and its subsidiaries and affiliates at pay level 35 or higher and who are notified in writing by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee ” or the “ Committee ” ) ( or Kroger ’s CEO at the direction of the Compensation Committee) of their participation in the Plan.   3.                                      ADMINISTRATION.  The Compensation Committee will administer the Plan.  The Committee will construe and interpret the Plan.  The Committee has full authority and discretion to determine the timing of awards, to select from those eligible the individuals that will participate in the Plan, and to establish such other measures as may be necessary or appropriate to the objectives of the Plan.  All decisions regarding the vesting of awards under the Plan will be made by the Committee.  The Committee ’s decisions will be final and binding on all parties, including the Company and all participants.   4.                                      AWARD CYCLE.  The 2016 Plan will include fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018.  The last day of fiscal 2018 will be the end of the award cycle for the 2016 Plan.  It is contemplated that a new plan will be adopted every year, with each plan covering three years.   5.                                      LONG -TERM BONUS.  Each participant is eligible to earn a long -term bonus based on actual Company performance measured against the performance standards described below.   6.                                      COMPANY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Company performance will be measured in four ways:  (i) improvement in Customer 1  Tracker scores, (ii) reductions in Total Operating Costs (excluding fuel) as a percentage of sales, (iii) improvement in Associate Survey scores, and (iv) improvement in Return on Invested Capital.   (a)                                  Customer 1  Tracker :  Customer 1  Tracker is a measure of Company performance in four key areas (People, Shopping Experience, Product and Price) based on results of customer surveys.  The Customer 1  Tracker methodology to be used under this Plan is the one currently in use by the Company, subject to such modifications as the Committee may approve from time to time.  Fiscal year end 2015 results will be the base against which performance under the Plan will be measured.       21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.     23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.     24.1 Powers of Attorney.     31.1 Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification.     31.2 Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification.     32.1 Section 1350 Certifications.     101.INS XBRL Instance Document.     101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.     101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.     101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.     101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.     101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. Section 2: EX -10.18 (EX -10.18) st st st st   (b)                                  Total Operating Costs :  Total operating costs, for purposes of the Plan, will be calculated by adding (i) OG&A, depreciation, and rent (excluding fuel), for the total Company, and (ii) warehouse and transportation costs, shrink, and advertising expenses, for our supermarket operations (excluding fuel) for the Company ’s supermarket operations.  Total operating costs will exclude one -time expenses incurred in lieu of future anticipated obligations.  Future expenses that are avoided by virtue of the incurrence of the one -time expense will be deemed to be total operating expenses in the year in which they otherwise would have been incurred.  The total operating costs, as a percentage of sales, for fiscal year 2015 will be the base against which performance under the Plan will be measured.   (c)                                   Associate Survey :  Associate Survey is a measure of Company performance designed to measure the engagement of Kroger associates, based on the results of associate surveys.  The Associate Survey engagement index score to be used under this Plan is the one currently in use by the Company, subject to such modifications as the Committee may approve from time to time.  Fiscal year end 2015 results will be the base against which performance under the Plan will be measured.   (d)                                  Return on Invested Capital :  Return on invested capital, for purposes of the Plan, will be calculated by dividing adjusted operating profit for the prior four quarters by the average invested capital.  Adjusted operating profit will be calculated by excluding unusual items included in operating profit, and adding our LIFO charge, depreciation and amortization, and rent.  Average invested capital will be calculated as the sum of (i) the average of our total assets, (ii) the average LIFO reserve, (iii) the average accumulated depreciation and amortization, and (iv) a rent factor equal to total rent     for the last four quarters multiplied by a factor of eight; minus (i) the average taxes receivable, (ii) the average trade accounts payable, (iii) the average accrued salaries and wages, and (iv) the average other current liabilities.  Averages are calculated for return on invested capital by adding the beginning balance of the first quarter and the ending balance of the fourth quarter, of the last four quarters, and dividing by two.  Fiscal year end 2015 results will be the base against which performance under the Plan will be measured.   7.                                      DETERMINING AWARD PAYOUTS.  Except with respect to participants who die during the award cycle, as described in paragraph 10(c) below, Long -Term Bonus awards under the Plan will be calculated as of the end of fiscal year 2018.  Provided that no decrease occurs in any of the four key areas, for each one point improvement in the Customer 1  Tracker score, a bonus amount equal to four percent of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) January 30, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan, will be earned.  For each basis point reduction in Total Operating Costs, an additional bonus amount equal to one -half of one percent of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) January 30, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan, will be earned.  Under the Associate Survey, for each one point improvement in the associate engagement index score, a bonus amount equal to four percent of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) January 30, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan, will be earned.  For each basis point improvement in Return on Invested Capital, an additional bonus amount equal to one percent of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) January 30, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan, will be earned.  In no event will any Long -Term Bonus award exceed the lesser of $5,000,000 and 100% of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) January 30, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan.  Plan bonus potentials for participants who become eligible for participation after the first day of the award cycle of the Plan will be prorated based on the remaining number of days in the award cycle.  In all cases, the effect during the award cycle of this Plan of accelerating the payment, funding, or recognition of expense of multi -employer pension liability, or the imposition of pension withdrawal liability; in either case undertaken by the Company as part of its effort to mitigate its exposure to multi -employer pension plan liability, will be excluded for purposes of calculating the Plan bonus.   8.                                      PAYMENT OF AWARDS.  Awards, if any, earned under the terms of the Plan will be paid in cash.  Unless some other date is selected by the Committee, awards will be paid in March of 2019 except for participants who make deferral elections under the deferred compensation supplement in which case the provisions of the deferred compensation supplement will control.  Amounts earned under the Plan will not be taken into consideration in calculating earnings under any of the Company ’s pension plans.   9.                                      ADJUSTMENTS.  The Committee will make such adjustments as it deems necessary or desirable based on changes in accounting or tax law, or on account of any acquisition, disposition or other developments that may affect the calculation of awards under the Plan.   10.                                TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, PERMANENT DISABILITY, RETIREMENT, OR DEATH OF PARTICIPANT.   (a)                                  Participation in the Plan does not create a contract of employment, or grant any employee the right to be retained in the service of the Company. Any participant whose employment is terminated by the Company; who voluntarily terminates his or her employment (other than in accordance with paragraph (b) below); or whose pay level drops below pay level 35, prior to the end of the 2016 Plan award cycle, will forfeit all rights to payment under the Plan.   (b)                                  If a participant voluntarily terminates his or her employment after reaching age 55 with at least five years of service with the Company, or due to permanent disability as determined by the Company, participation will continue, and that participant will be paid a pro rata share of the amount earned according to the terms of the award proportionate to the period of active service during the 2016 Plan award cycle beginning with the date on which the participant first became a participant under the Plan.   (c)                                   If a participant dies during the 2016 Plan award cycle, participation will continue until the end of the fiscal year in which the death occurs, and the participant ’s designated beneficiary (or if none, then the participant ’s estate) will be paid a prorata share of the amount earned according to the terms of the award proportionate to the period of active service during the 2016 Plan award cycle before the participant ’s death beginning with the date on which the participant first became a participant under the Plan.  The amount of the award payout, which will be made as soon as reasonably practicable as determined by the Committee, will be calculated as of the end of the fiscal year in which the participant ’s death occurs based on actual results as of the end of that fiscal year.   st     (d)                                  Notwithstanding anything contained in this paragraph 10 to the contrary, in the event that during the 2016 Plan award cycle a participant provides services as an employee, director, consultant, agent, or otherwise, to any of Kroger ’s competitors, the participant ’s award hereunder terminates.  For purposes of this paragraph 10(d), a competitor is any business that sells groceries, food, drugs, health and beauty care items, motor fuels, or pharmaceuticals, at retail in one or more of the same geographic areas that Kroger sells those products.   (e)                                   For purposes of this Plan, “period of active service ” means the period of time that the participant actually is working for Kroger plus any earned but unused vacation for the year in which the participant ceases employment, and excluding any “banked ” vacation earned but not taken in prior years.   11.                                Change in Control .  A bonus equal to 50% of the participant ’s base salary as of the later of (i) February 1, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the participant first became eligible to participate in the Plan, will be paid to the participant if at any time during the 2016 Plan award cycle any of the following occur:   (a)                                  without prior approval of our Board of Directors, any person, group, entity or group thereof, excluding our employee benefit plans, becomes the owner of, or obtains the right to acquire, 20% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding voting securities; or   (b)                                  a tender or exchange offer has expired, other than an offer by us, under which 20% or more of our then outstanding voting securities have been purchased; or   (c)                                   as a result of, or in connection with, or within two years following (i) a merger or business combination, (ii) a reorganization, or (iii) a proxy contest, in any case which was not approved by our Board of Directors, the individuals who were directors of Kroger immediately before the transaction cease to constitute at least a majority thereof, except for changes caused by death, disability or normal retirement; or   (d)                                  our shareholders have approved (i) an agreement to merge or consolidate with or into another corporation and Kroger is not the surviving corporation or (ii) an agreement, including a plan of liquidation, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.   12.                                EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. This Plan is effective as of January 31, 2016.   13.                                AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company may at any time suspend, terminate or amend the plan in such respects as it deems to be in the best interests of the Company. No amendment will adversely affect any right of any participants, or their successors in interest, under the terms of any award made hereunder before the effective date of the amendment.   14.                                DEFERRED COMPENSATION SUPPLEMENT.  The Deferred Compensation Supplement attached as Annex I hereto is adopted as a part of this Plan.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Kroger Co. has caused this Plan to be adopted this 29th day of January, 2016.       ANNEX I   DEFERRED COMPENSATION SUPPLEMENT TO THE KROGER CO. 2016 LONG - TERM CASH BONUS PLAN   Effective as of January 31, 2016   1.                                      Establishment and Purpose of this Deferred Compensation Supplement   Effective as of the date set forth above, The Kroger Co. (the “Company ” ) adopts this Deferred Compensation Supplement (the “Supplement ” ) to The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Cash Bonus Plan (the “Plan ” ). The purpose of the Supplement is to provide supplemental deferred compensation to certain highly compensated employees of the Company. The Supplement is intended to be unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees, within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( “ ERISA ” ). The Supplement is also THE KROGER CO.         By: /s/ Christine S. Wheatley  Christine S. Wheatley  Group Vice President, Secretary and  General Counsel intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code ” ).   2.                                      Definitions   As used in the Supplement, in addition to the terms defined in Section 1 of the Supplement, these words and phrases have the following meanings (all other capitalized terms in the Supplement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise):   (a)                                  “Account ” means a bookkeeping account established on the records of the Company for a Participant which is credited with amounts deferred by a Participant and interest on those amounts under Section 4 of the Supplement.   (b)                                  “ Affiliate ” means an organization that is (i) a member of the same controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b)) as the Company, (ii) a trade or business under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c)) with the Company, (iii) an organization which is a member of an affiliated service group (as defined in Code Section 414(m)) that includes the Company, or (iv) otherwise required to be aggregated with the Company under Code Section 414(o).   (c)                                   “Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.   (d)                                  “ Committee ” means the Retirement Management Committee of the Company.   (e)                                   “Company ” means The Kroger Co., an Ohio corporation, or any successor.   (f)                                    “Compensation Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.   (g)                                   “Designated Beneficiary ” means the persons or entities designated by the Participant, in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee, to receive payment of the remaining balance of the Participant ’s Account in the event the Participant dies before receiving the entire interest credited to the Participant ’s Account.   (h)                                  “Election ” means an election by an Eligible Employee, consistent with the terms of the Supplement and in a form and manner satisfactory to the Committee, to elect to defer a Long -Term Bonus for a Performance Period and to specify a time and form of payment for the portion of the Participant ’s Account attributable to such deferred amounts.   (i)                                      “ Eligible Employee ” means any individual who has been designated as eligible to participate in the Plan.   (j)                                     “Insolvency ” means an entity is unable to pay its debts as they become due, or is subject to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code.   (k)                                  “Long -Term Bonus ” means a bonus payable to an Eligible Employee under the Plan.   (l)                                      “Participant ” means an Eligible Employee who has elected to defer a Long -Term Bonus payable under the Plan in accordance with Section 3 of the Supplement.     (m)                              “Performance -Based Compensation ” means compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the compensation is contingent on the satisfaction of pre -established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a Performance Period in which a Participant performs services. In determining whether an amount constitutes Performance -Based Compensation, the Committee shall apply the rules set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A -1(e), or any subsequent guidance.   (n)                                  “Performance Period ” means a period of at least twelve (12) months in which Performance -Based Compensation is determined for the performance of services.   (o)                                  “ Plan Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company.   (p)                                  “Unforeseeable Emergency ” means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant ’s spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code) of the Participant, loss of the Participant ’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

An Unforeseeable Emergency will not include the need to send a Participant ’s child to college or the desire to purchase a home.   3.                                      Deferral Election .   (a)                                  Election to Defer Long -Term Bonus . A Participant may file an Election to defer receipt of all or any portion of the Participant ’s Long -Term Bonus that becomes payable under the Plan. A Participant ’s Election to defer receipt of a Long -Term Bonus must be made no later than six months prior to the end of the applicable Performance Period, and is irrevocable once made, and must designate the time and manner in which such deferred Long -Term Bonus, and interest on such deferred amount, is to be later paid in accordance with the distribution options set forth in Section 5.   (b)                                  Designated Beneficiary. A Participant shall, in the Participant ’s Election, name a Designated Beneficiary with respect to amounts credited to the Participant ’s Account. The Participant may change or revoke the designation of a Designated Beneficiary by written notice to the Committee or the Committee ’s designee.   (c)                                   Termination of Participation . An individual shall cease to be a Participant in this Supplement when all amounts allocated to the Participant ’s Account have been paid under the terms of this Supplement.   4.                                      Benefits .   (a)                                  Crediting of Deferred Amounts . As of the date a Long -Term Bonus would otherwise be payable to a Participant under Section 5 of the Plan, a Participant ’s Account shall be credited with an amount equal to the portion of the Long -Term Bonus deferred under this Supplement pursuant to the Participant ’s Election for the Performance Period in question.   (b)                                  Crediting of Interest . A Participant ’s Account for each Performance Period shall be credited with interest based upon the interest rate established for the Plan Year by the Board, or by the Compensation Committee, before the beginning of each Plan Year. Once established by the Board or the Compensation Committee, such interest rate shall apply for subsequent Plan Years, unless changed by the Board or the Compensation Committee. For each Plan Year, a Participant ’s Account shall be credited with interest on a quarterly basis pursuant to the following provisions:   (i)                                      The interest for a calendar quarter shall be credited effective as of the last day of the calendar quarter.   (ii)                                   The interest for a calendar quarter shall be in an amount equal to (A) ¼ of the applicable interest rate for the Plan Year, multiplied by (B) the average of the beginning and ending balances of the Participant ’s Account for the calendar quarter.   (c)                                   Effect upon the Kroger Consolidated Retirement Benefit Plan. Amounts deferred under the Supplement are not taken into account in computing the monthly benefits to which a Participant and/or Participant ’s spouse or beneficiary is entitled under the Kroger Consolidated Retirement Benefit Plan or any other pension plan of the Company.     5.                                      Time and Form of Distribution .   (a)                                  Distribution following Termination of Employment . A Participant, in the Participant ’s Election for a Performance Period, shall specify the time and manner that the Participant ’s Account attributable to the Performance Period is to be paid to the Participant upon the Participant ’s termination of employment with the Company (for any reason other than death) from among the following choices:   (i)                                      Immediate Lump Sum . The Account shall be paid to the Participant in a single cash lump sum payment as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six months after the Participant ’s termination of employment. The amount of the lump sum payment shall be equal to the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the date of payment to the Participant.   (ii)                                   Deferred (Next Year) Lump Sum . The Account shall be paid to the Participant in a single cash lump sum payment as soon as administratively possible after the later of (A) six months after the Participant ’s termination of employment or (B) the first day of the calendar year following the date of the Participant ’s termination of employment. The amount of the lump sum payment shall be equal to the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the date of payment to the Participant.   In the event that the Participant dies before the date of actual payment of the lump sum payment, the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary shall receive the Participant ’s lump sum payment at the same time and manner prescribed by subsection (i) or (ii), as applicable.   (iii)                                Immediate Quarterly Installments . The Account shall be paid to the Participant in quarterly installment payments (not less than 4 nor more than 40) commencing as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six months after the Participant ’s termination of employment. The amount of each quarterly installment shall be determined by dividing (A) the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the quarterly installment payment to the Participant, by (B) the number of the remaining quarterly installment payments to be made to the Participant plus the payment currently being made.   (iv)                               Deferred (Retirement Age) Quarterly Installments . The Account shall be paid to the Participant in quarterly installment payments (not less than 4 nor more than 40) commencing as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six months after the later of (A) the Participant ’s termination of employment or (B) the date of the Participant ’s retirement age specified in the Participant ’s Election. The amount of each quarterly installment shall be determined by dividing (A) the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the quarterly installment payment to the Participant, by (B) the number of the remaining quarterly installment payments to be made to the Participant plus the payment currently being made.   In the event that the Participant dies before commencement of the Participant ’s quarterly installment payments, or the Participant dies after commencement of the Participant ’s quarterly installment payments, the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary shall receive the Participant ’s quarterly installment payments, at the election of the Participant in the Participant ’s Election, either (A) at the same time and manner prescribed by subsections (iii) or (iv), as applicable, as if the quarterly installment payments were being made to the Participant or (B) in a single lump sum payment as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of the Participant ’s death in an amount equal to the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar year preceding the date of payment to the Designated Beneficiary.   (b)                                  Distribution upon the Death of a Participant . A Participant, in the Participant ’s Election, shall specify the time and manner that the Account is to be paid to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary upon the Participant ’s death.   (i)                                      Time and Manner of Payment . The Participant may elect one of the following time and manner of payments with respect to payments to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary:   (A)                                Immediate (Next Quarter) Lump Sum . The Account shall be paid to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary in a single cash lump sum payment as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of the Participant ’s death. The amount of the lump sum payment shall be equal to the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the date of payment to the Designated Beneficiary.     (B)                                Deferred (Next Year) Lump Sum . The Account shall be paid to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary in a single cash lump sum as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar year following the date of the Participant ’s death. The amount of the lump sum payment shall be equal to the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar year preceding the date of payment to the Designated Beneficiary.   (C)                                Immediate (Next Quarter) Quarterly Installments . The Account shall be paid to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary in quarterly installment payments (not less than 4 nor more than 40) commencing as soon as administratively possible after the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of the Participant ’s death. The amount of each quarterly installment shall be determine by dividing (1) the balance of the Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the quarterly installment payment to the Designated Beneficiary, by (2) the number of the remaining quarterly installment payments to be made to the Designated Beneficiary plus the payment currently being made.   (ii)                                   Special Death Distribution Provisions . In the event of the death of the Participant, the Committee must receive written notice and verification of the death of the Participant and reserves the right to delay distribution of a Participant ’s Account to the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary until the Committee ’s receipt and acceptance of such notice and verification.   The distribution options elected by the Participant in Sections 5(a) and (b) shall apply to and be binding upon any subsequent Designated Beneficiary, including any such subsequent Designated Beneficiary arising by a change by the Participant or by operation of any contingency provisions of the Participant ’s beneficiary designation.   The Participant ’s written designation of a Designated Beneficiary and its contingency provisions (if any) shall govern the determination of the proper person entitled to benefits under the Plan following the death of the Participant and the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary. However, in the absence of a specific contingency provision therefore with respect to the Account, the following default provisions shall apply:   (A)                                In the event that the Participant dies without any Designated Beneficiary, the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary shall be deemed the Participant ’s estate.   (B)                                In the event that the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary dies after the Participant and with outstanding benefits under the Plan, such Designated Beneficiary ’s own beneficiary designated in writing to the Committee (or, if none, the Designated Beneficiary ’s estate) shall thereafter be considered the Participant ’s Designated Beneficiary.   (C)                                In the event that the Participant and the Designated Beneficiary die simultaneously or under circumstances such that the order of death cannot be determined, the Participant, for purposes of the Plan, shall be deemed to have survived the Designated Beneficiary.   (c)                                   Changes to Distribution Elections . The Committee may, in its discretion, allow a Participant to elect to defer the time of payment or change the form of payment of the Participant ’s Account; provided, however, that no such election shall be effective unless:   (i)                                      The election will not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made,   (ii)                                   Except in the case of a payment as the result of the Participant ’s death or the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the first payment with respect to such election is deferred for not less than five years from the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made, and   (iii)                                Any election which is related to a payment at a specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule may not be made less than twelve months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment under that election.   (d)                                  Unforeseeable Emergency. If a Participant has an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant may apply in writing to the Committee for an emergency payment under this Section 5(d). The Company will pay to the Participant that portion of the Participant ’s Account under the Plan as necessary to meet the Unforeseeable Emergency. For purposes of this Section 5(d), a payment due to an Unforeseeable Emergency will not exceed the amount that the Committee determines is reasonably necessary to satisfy the need created by the Unforeseeable Emergency, plus amounts reasonably necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as the result of the payment, after taking into account the extent to which such need is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, or by liquidation of the Participant ’s assets (to the extent that such liquidation would not itself cause severe     financial hardship). Upon application for a payment due to Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant will furnish to the Committee all information as the Participant deems appropriate and as the Committee deems necessary and appropriate to make a determination on the application.   (e)                                   Tax Withholding . The Company may withhold income or other taxes from any distribution of a Participant ’s Account if the Company determines that withholding is necessary or appropriate to comply with any Federal, State or local tax withholding or similar requirements of law.   (f)                                    Payments to Legal Incompetents . Upon proof satisfactory to the Committee that any person entitled to receive a payment under the Supplement is legally incompetent to receive the payment, the Committee may direct the payment to be made to a guardian or conservator of the estate of the person. Any payment made under the preceding sentence will release the Company from all further liability to the extent of the payment made.   (g)                                   Discharge of Obligation . Any payment made by the Company pursuant to the Supplement shall, to the extent of the payments made, constitute a complete discharge of all obligations under the Supplement of the Company and the Committee. The Committee may require the payee, as a condition precedent to any payment, to execute a receipt and release in a form satisfactory to the Committee. The Committee may also require the payee, as a condition precedent to any payment, to execute an acknowledgement or agreement in a form satisfactory to the Committee concerning repayment of erroneous or duplicate benefits.   (h)                                  Correction of Mistakes . Any mistake in the amount of a Participant ’s benefits under the Supplement may be corrected by the Committee when the mistake is discovered. The mistake may be corrected in any reasonable manner authorized by the Committee. In appropriate circumstances (such as where the mistake is not material or is not timely discovered), the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion waive the making of any correction.   6.                                      Fully Vested; Forfeiture for Cause .   All amounts credited to the Participant ’s Account shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable at all times. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Participant, regardless of age, who is terminated for theft or embezzlement of Company assets, or for accepting bribes from suppliers, or who resigns during the pendency or carrying out of an investigation which established such conduct, shall forfeit 100% of the interest credited to his Account.   7.                                      Funding Policy and Method .   This Supplement shall be unfunded within the meaning of Section 201(2) of ERISA, and all payments under the Supplement shall be made from the general assets of the Company, including, at the sole option of the Company, from any assets held in any trust established by the Company the assets of which are subject to the claims of the Company ’s general, unsecured creditors in the event of the Company ’s Insolvency. No assets shall be irrevocably set aside to pay benefits under the Supplement in a manner making the assets unreachable by the Company ’s general, unsecured creditors in the event of the Company ’s Insolvency. Participants and Designated Beneficiaries shall have no right to any specific assets of the Company by virtue or the existence or terms of the Supplement and shall be general, unsecured creditors of the Company at all times with respect to any claim for benefits under the Supplement.   8.                                      Administration   (a)                                  Committee Authority. The Committee shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the Supplement and for carrying out the provisions of the Supplement. The Committee shall have discretionary authority to make, amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Supplement, and to decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of the Supplement. Any action taken by the Committee in its discretion shall be final and conclusive on all parties. The Committee ’s prior exercise of discretionary authority shall not obligate it to exercise its authority in a like fashion in the future. The Committee may, from time to time, delegate to others, including employees of the Company, administrative duties as it sees fit.   (b)                                  Account Statements. As soon as administratively possible after the end of each calendar year, the Company shall prepare and furnish to each Participant a statement of the status of each of his Account of the Plan effective as of the last day of the calendar year, and such other information as the Committee may prescribe.     (c)                                   Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify, through insurance or otherwise, each member of the Committee against any claims, losses, expenses, damages or liabilities arising out of the performance (or failure of performance) of their responsibilities under the Plan.   9.                                      Claims and Appeals .   (a)                                  Payment of Benefits . The payment of benefits due under the Supplement shall be made at such times and in such amounts as provided for under the terms of the Supplement. Each Participant and Designated Beneficiary shall be obligated to provide the Company a current address so that payments may be made as required. The mailing of a payment to the last known mailing address of a Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall be deemed full payment of the amount so mailed.   (b)                                  Written Claim for Benefits . If a Participant or Designated Beneficiary does not receive payment of benefits under the Supplement which the Participant or Designated Beneficiary believes are due under the Supplement, the Participant or Designated Beneficiary may file a written claim for benefits with the Committee. The written claim shall be in a form satisfactory to, and with such supporting documentation and information as may be required by, the Committee.   (c)                                   Denial of Claim . If a Participant ’s or Designated Beneficiary ’s claim for benefits is denied in whole or in part by the Committee, a written notice will be furnished to the claimant within 90 days after the date the claim was received. If circumstances require a longer period, the claimant will be notified in writing, prior to the expiration of the 90 day period, of the reasons for an extension of time; provided, however, that no extensions will be permitted beyond 90 days after the expiration of the initial 90 day period.   (d)                                  Reasons for Denial . A denial or partial denial of a claim will clearly set forth:   (i)                                      the specific reason or reasons for the denial;   (ii)                                   a specific reference to pertinent Supplement provisions on which the denial is based;   (iii)                                a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and   (iv)                               an explanation of the procedure for review of the denied or partially denied claim, including the claimant ’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review.   (e)                                   Review of Denial . Upon denial of a claim, in whole or in part, a claimant or a duly authorized representative of the claimant may request a full and fair review of the denied claim by filing a written notice of appeal with the Committee. Any appeal must be received by the Committee within 60 days of the date that the notice of the denied claim was received. A claimant or the claimant ’s authorized representative will have, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant ’s claim for benefits and may submit issues and comments in writing, except for privileged or confidential documentation. The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.   If the claimant fails to file a request for review within 60 days of the notification of denial, the claim will be deemed abandoned and the claimant precluded from reasserting it. If the claimant does file a request for review, the request must include a description of the issues and evidence the claimant deems relevant. Failure to raise issues or present evidence on review will preclude those issues or evidence from being presented in any subsequent proceeding or judicial review of the claim.   (f)                                    Decision Upon Review . The Committee will provide a written decision on review. If the claim is denied on review, the decision shall set forth:   (i)                                      the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination;   (ii)                                   specific reference to pertinent Supplement provisions on which the adverse determination is based;     (iii)                                a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant ’s claim for benefits; and   (iv)                               a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Supplement and the claimant ’s right to obtain the information about such procedures, as well as a statement of the claimant ’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.   A decision will be rendered by the Committee as soon as practicable. Ordinarily decisions will be rendered within 60 days following receipt of the request for review. If the need to hold a hearing or special circumstances requires additional processing time, the decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days following receipt of the request for review.   (g)                                   Finality of Determinations; Exhaustion of Remedies . To the extent permitted by law, decisions reached under the claims procedures set forth in this Section shall be final and binding on all parties. No legal action for benefits under the Supplement shall be brought unless and until the claimant has exhausted all remedies under this Section. In any such legal action, the claimant may only present evidence and theories which the claimant presented during the claims procedure. Any claims which the claimant does not in good faith pursue through the review stage of the procedure shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived. Judicial review of a claimant ’s denied claim shall be limited to a determination of whether the denial was an abuse of discretion based on the evidence and theories the claimant presented during the claims procedure. Any suit or legal action initiated by a claimant under the Supplement must be brought by the claimant no later than one year following a final decision on the claim for benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a claimant initiate suit or legal action more than two years after the facts giving rise to the action occurred. These limitations on suits or legal actions for benefits will apply in any forum where a claimant initiates the suit or legal action.   10.                                Amendment and Termination of this Supplement .   The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Supplement at any time by resolution of the Board or the Compensation Committee. No amendment or termination of this Supplement shall deprive a Participant or Designated Beneficiary of any portion of the Participant ’s or Designated Beneficiary ’s vested benefit accrued under the Supplement as of the date of the amendment or termination.   11.                                General Provisions .   (a)                                  Definition and Supplement Interpretation . The capitalized words and phrases used throughout the Supplement shall have the meanings in Section 2, unless the context requires otherwise. Unless otherwise plainly required by the context, any gender may be construed to include all genders, and the singular or plural may be construed to include the plural or singular, respectively. The section headings in the Supplement have been inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in the interpretation of the Supplement.   (b)                                  Interpretation and Savings Clause . The Supplement is intended to comply with Code Section 409A and guidance issued under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplement, the Supplement shall be interpreted and administered accordingly. If any provision of the Supplement is held invalid or unenforceable, that invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision, and the Supplement shall be construed and enforced as if the affected provision had not been included.   (c)                                   No Employment Rights . Neither the Plan or the Supplement, nor the action of the Company in establishing or continuing the Plan or the Supplement, nor any action taken by the Committee, nor participation in the Plan or the Supplement, shall be construed as giving any person any right to remain in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate or, except as provided in the Plan and the Supplement, the right to any payment or benefit. Nothing in the Plan or the Supplement shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a person ’s employment at any time, with or without cause.   (d)                                  Assignment or Alienation of Benefits .   (i)                                      General Rule . Except as expressly provided in the Supplement, the benefits payable under the Plan or the Supplement shall not be subject to assignment or alienation, and any attempt to do so shall be void.   (ii)                                   Domestic Relations Orders . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Supplement, all or a portion of a Participant ’s Account may be paid to another person as specified in a domestic relations order that the Committee determines is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. For this purpose, a “Qualified Domestic Relations Order ” means a judgment, decree, or order (including the approval of a property settlement agreement) that:     (A)                                is issued pursuant to a State ’s domestic relations law;   (B)                                relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependent of a Participant; and   (C)                                creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee ’s right to, or assigns to the alternate payee the right to, receive all or a portion of the Participant ’s benefits under the Supplement;   The Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether any document received by it is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. In making this determination, the Committee may consider the rules applicable to “domestic relations orders ” under Code Section 414(p) and Section 206(d) of ERISA, and other rules and procedures it deems relevant. If an order is determined to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, the amount to which the alternate payee is entitled under the Qualified Domestic Relations Order shall be paid in a single lump -sum payment as soon as practicable after the determination.   (e)                                   Governing Law . To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Supplement shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio (determined without regard to choice of laws principles).   IT WITNESS WHEREOF, The Kroger Co. has caused this Deferred Compensation Supplement to The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Bonus Plan to be executed as of the          day of January, 2016.       DEFERRAL AGREEMENT   THIS FORM APPLIES ONLY TO DEFERRALS MADE WITH RESPECT TO LONG - TERM BONUSES THAT MAY BECOME PAYABLE UNDER THE 2016 LONG - TERM BONUS PLAN   PARTICIPANT:                      DATE OF BIRTH:                         SOCIAL SECURITY NO.:                              CURRENT ADDRESS:                                      DEFERRAL ELECTION (FISCAL YEARS 2016 -2018)   THE KROGER CO.             By: /s/ Christine S. Wheatley       Title: Group Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel The Long -Term Bonus that may become payable to you under The Kroger Co. 2016 Long -Term Bonus Plan (the “Plan ” ), which includes the Company ’ s 2016 -2017 Fiscal Years, may be deferred under the Deferred Compensation Supplement to the Plan (the “Supplement ” ), provided the Company receives your properly completed Deferral Agreement no later than six months prior to the end of fiscal year 2018 .   o                                   I elect to defer all or a portion of the Long -Term Bonus that may become payable to me under the Plan, as designated below. I understand that this deferral election is irrevocable, and is subject to all of the terms of the Plan and Supplement.     PAYMENT ELECTION FOR AMOUNTS DEFERRED   I elect to have the amount of my Long -Term Bonus (Fiscal Years 2016 -2018) deferred, and earnings on such amounts, paid as follows:   o                                   Immediate Lump Sum Payment.   Lump sum payment after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six (6) months after my termination of employment.   o                                   Deferred (Next Year) Lump Sum Payment.   Lump sum payment after the later of (i) the first day of the calendar year following my termination of employment or (ii) six (6) months after my termination of employment.   o                                   Immediate (Next Quarter) Installment Payments.   Quarterly installment payments of                       payments [ specify number of payments - no less than four (4) and no more than forty (40) ] commencing after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six (6) months after my termination of employment.   o                                   Deferred (Retirement Age) Installment Payments.   Quarterly installment payments of                       payments [ specify number of payments - no less than four (4) and no more than forty (40) ] commencing after the first day of the calendar quarter that occurs six (6) months following the later of (i) my termination of employment or (ii) my                 birthday [ specify birthday for which payments shall commence ].     DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY   Pursuant to the Supplement to the Plan, I designate the following person(s) to receive payment of the amounts in my Account that are attributable to deferrals (and earnings on such deferrals) in the event of my death prior to complete distribution of such amounts.  I understand that if I do not have a valid Designation of Beneficiary on file, the amounts credited to my Account that are attributable to deferrals (and earnings on such deferrals) shall be distributed to the executor or administrator of my estate.     Please attach any contingent Designated Beneficiary provisions.   PAYMENT TO DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY   I elect to have the amounts in my Account that are attributable to deferrals (and earnings on such deferrals) that are unpaid as of the date of my death, paid to my Designated Beneficiary as follows:   o                                   Immediate (Next Quarter) Lump Sum Payment.   Lump sum payment after the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of my death.   o                                   Deferred (Next Year) Lump Sum Payment.   Lump sum payment after the first day of the calendar year following the date of my death.   o                                   Immediate (Next Quarter) Installment Payments.   Quarterly installment payments of              payments [ specify number of payments - no less than four (4) and no more than forty (40) ] commencing after the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of my death.   PARTICIPANT ’ S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Plan and Supplement, and agree that the deferral of any portion of my Long -Term Bonus that may become payable to me under the Plan is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and Supplement.   DEFERRAL AMOUNT:                                  %                   ( enter percentage of Long -Term Bonus to be deferred ) Beneficiary(ies) Percentage of Death Benefit:                                  %                                  %                                  % TOTAL:                                  % ( must equal 100% )     Participant ’s Signature             ALTERNATIVE REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR PENSION PLANS FOR CERTAIN SELECTED EMPLOYEES   To the Secretary of Labor:   In compliance with the requirements of the alternative method of reporting and disclosure under Part 1 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for unfunded or insured pension plans for a select group of management or highly compensated employees, specified in Department of Labor Regulations, 29 C.F.R. §2520.104 -23, the following information is provided by the undersigned employer.     The Employer maintains a plan (or plans) primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees.         ( Back To Top )     Participant ’s Name ( Printed )         Date       Committee       By: 2016 Long -Term Bonus Plan Deferred Compensation Supplement Deferral Agreement Date:       Name and Address of Employer: The Kroger Co. 1014 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 - 1141     Employer Identification Number: 31 - 0345740 Number of Plans and Participants in Each Plan:                             Plan covering                       Employees (or              Plans covering                                 and                       Employees, respectively.) Dated                                               , 20   .     THE KROGER CO.         By:       Title:   This form should be mailed to:   Top Hat Plan Exemption Employee Benefits Security Administration Room N - 1513 U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210   (Send certified mail to evidence filing requirement satisfied) Section 3: EX -10.22 (EX -10.22) EXHIBIT 10.22   2013 HARRIS TEETER MERGER CASH BONUS PLAN   1. PURPOSE OF THE HARRIS TEETER MERGER CASH BONUS PLAN. The purpose of the Plan is to reward participating Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliates ( “Harris Teeter ” ) employees for achieving synergies over the three year period following the merger (the “Merger ” ) of Harris Teeter with a subsidiary of The Kroger Co. ( “Kroger ” ).   2. ELIGIBILITY. Awards under this plan may be made to employees who are notified in writing by Harris Teeter ’s President or Kroger ’ s CEO of their participation in the Plan.   3. ADMINISTRATION. A Committee consisting of Harris Teeter ’s Board of Directors, or such other individuals designated by Harris Teeter ’s Board, (the “ Committee ” ) will administer the Plan. The Committee will construe and interpret the Plan. The Committee has full authority and discretion to determine the timing of awards, to select from those eligible the individuals that will participate in the Plan, and to establish such other measures as may be necessary or appropriate to the objectives of the Plan. All decisions regarding the vesting of awards under the Plan will be made by the Committee. The Committee ’s decisions will be final and binding on all parties, including Harris Teeter and all participants.   4. AWARD CYCLE. The Plan will include Kroger ’s fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016. The first Plan year will include any days, if any, during fiscal year 2013, from the consummation of the Merger through the end of fiscal year 2013. If the Merger is not consummated until fiscal year 2014, the first Plan year will include that period of time during fiscal year 2014 from the consummation of the Merger through the end of fiscal year 2014. The last day of fiscal year 2016 will be the end of the award cycle for the Plan.   5. MERGER CASH BONUS. Each participant is eligible to earn a cash bonus based on achieved Merger synergies as described below.   6. MERGER SYNERGIES. At the end of each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016, the Committee will determine the extent to which synergies were achieved, on a cumulative basis, in connection with the Merger.   7. DETERMINING AWARD PAYOUTS. Bonus awards under the Plan will be calculated as of the end of each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016.

The target synergies against which Plan bonuses will be calculated is $50 million in the aggregate. Bonuses for fiscal year 2014 will be calculated by multiplying (a) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the synergies achieved during fiscal year 2014, and the denominator of which equals $50 million, by (b) 150% of the participant ’s annual base salary in existence on the effective date of the Plan. Bonuses for fiscal year 2015 will be calculated by multiplying (c) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the incremental synergies achieved during fiscal year 2015 over those achieved in fiscal year 2014, and the denominator of which equals $50 million, by (d) 150% of the participant ’s annual base salary in existence on the effective date of the Plan. Bonuses for fiscal year 2016 will be calculated by multiplying (e) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the incremental synergies achieved during fiscal year 2016 over those achieved in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, and the denominator of which equals $50 million, by (f) 150% of the participant ’s annual base salary in existence on the effective date of the Plan. In no event will the total Bonus award to a participant exceed 200% of such participant ’s annual cash salary in existence on the effective date of the Plan.   8. PAYMENT OF AWARDS. Awards, if any, earned under the terms of the Plan will be paid in cash after determination for each fiscal year in the Plan. Unless some other date is selected by the Committee, awards will be paid in March of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Amounts earned under the Plan will not be taken into consideration in calculating earnings under any of Kroger ’s or its subsidiaries ’ pension plans.   9. ADJUSTMENTS. The Committee will make such adjustments as it deems necessary or desirable based on changes in accounting or tax law, or on account of any acquisition, disposition or other developments that may affect the calculation of awards under the Plan.     10. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, PERMANENT DISABILITY, RETIREMENT, OR DEATH OF PARTICIPANT.   (a) Participation in the Plan does not create a contract of employment, or grant any employee the right to be retained in the service of Harris Teeter. Any participant whose employment is terminated by Harris Teeter; or who voluntarily terminates his or her employment (other than in accordance with paragraph (b) below), prior to the end of fiscal year 2014 in the case of the payment for that year, prior to the end of fiscal year 2015 in the case of the payment for that year, or prior to the end of fiscal year 2016 in the case of the payment for that year, will forfeit all rights to payment for that respective fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal years in the Plan.   (b) If a participant voluntarily terminates his or her employment after reaching age 62 with at least five years of service with Harris Teeter, or due to permanent disability as determined by Harris Teeter, participation will continue, and that participant will be paid a prorata share of the amount earned according to the terms of the award proportionate to the period of active service during the Plan award cycle beginning with the date on which the participant first became a participant under the Plan.   (c) If a participant dies during the Plan award cycle, participation will continue until the end of the fiscal year in which the death occurs, and the participant ’s designated beneficiary (or if none, then the participant ’s estate) will be paid a prorata share of the amount earned according to the terms of the award proportionate to the period of active service during the Plan award cycle before the participant ’s death beginning with the date on which the participant first became a participant under the Plan. The amount of the award payout, which will be made as soon as reasonably practicable as determined by the Committee, will be calculated as of the end of the fiscal year in which the participant ’s death occurs based on actual results as of the end of that fiscal year.   (d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this paragraph 10 to the contrary, in the event that during the Plan award cycle a participant provides services as an employee, director, consultant, agent, or otherwise, to any of Kroger ’s competitors, the participant ’s award hereunder terminates immediately and the participant will be entitled to no payments hereunder.  For purposes of this paragraph 10(d), a competitor is any business that sells groceries, food, drugs, health and beauty care items, motor fuels, or pharmaceuticals, at retail in one or more of the same geographic areas that Kroger or an affiliate or subsidiary sells those products.   (e) For purposes of this Plan, “period of active service ” means the period of time that the participant actually is working for Harris Teeter plus any earned but unused vacation for the year in which the participant ceases employment, and excluding any “banked ” vacation earned but not taken in prior years.   11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. This plan is effective as of the date of the consummation of the Merger.   12. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Committee or the Board of Directors of Kroger may at any time suspend, terminate or amend the plan in such respects as it deems to be in the best interests of Kroger. No amendment will adversely affect any right of any participants, or their successors in interest, under the terms of any award made hereunder before the effective date of the amendment.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. has caused this Plan to be adopted this              day of                             , 2013.       ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 12.1   SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES FOR THE KROGER CO. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES FOR THE FIVE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 30, 2016     1 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 21.1   SUBSIDIARIES OF THE KROGER CO.   84.51 LLC [Ohio] 84.51 HQ Building Company, LLC [Ohio] Agri -Products, Inc. [Arkansas] Alpha Beta Company [California] HARRIS TEETER SUPERMARKETS, INC.       By /s/ Paul Heldman Paul Heldman Vice President and Secretary Section 4: EX -12.1 (EX -12.1) January 30, 2016 (52 weeks) January 31, 2015 (52 weeks) February1, 2014 (52 weeks) February2, 2013 (53 weeks) January 28, 2012 (52 weeks) Earnings: Earnings before tax expense $ 3,094 $ 2,649 $ 2,282 $ 2,302 $ 843 Fixed charges 903 896 797 823 794 Capitalized interest (9 ) (5 ) (5 ) (3 ) (6 )                         Pre -tax earnings before fixed charges $ 3,988 $ 3,540 $ 3,074 $ 3,122 $ 1,631                         Fixed charges: Interest $ 491 $ 493 $ 448 $ 465 $ 441 Portion of rental payments deemed to be interest 412 403 349 358 353                         Total fixed charges $ 903 $ 896 $ 797 $ 823 $ 794                         Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.4 4.0 3.9 3.8 2.1 Section 5: EX -21.1 (EX -21.1) Ansonborough Square Investors I, LLC [Delaware] Ansonborough Square Retail, LLC [South Carolina] Ardrey Kell Investments, LLC [North Carolina] Axis Pharmaceutical Partners, LLC [Florida] Axium Healthcare Pharmacy, Inc. [Florida] Also Doing Business As: A Plus Healthcare Pharmacy Axium Healthcare Pharmacy WestAxium Pharmacy Holdings, Inc. [Delaware] Balanced Solutions Compounding Pharmacy LLC [Florida] Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. [California] Beech Tree Holdings, LLC [Delaware] Bell Markets, Inc. [California] Bluefield Beverage Company [Ohio] Brier Creek Arbors Drive Retail, LLC [North Carolina] Cala Co. [Delaware] Cala Foods, Inc. [California] CB&S Advertising Agency, Inc. [Oregon] Country Oven, Inc. [Ohio] Crawford Stores, Inc. [California] Creedmoor Retail, LLC [North Carolina] Dillon Companies, Inc. [Kansas] Also Doing Business As: Baker ’s Supermarkets City Market Dillon Food Stores Dillon Stores Division, Inc. Food 4 Less Gerbes Supermarkets Inter -American Products King Soopers Peyton ’s Fountain Dillon Real Estate Co., Inc. [Kansas] Distribution Trucking Company [Oregon] Dotto, Inc. [Indiana] Edgewood Plaza Holdings, LLC [Ohio] Embassy International, Inc. [Ohio] Farmacia Doral, Inc. [Puerto Rico] FM, Inc. [Utah] FMJ, Inc. [Delaware] Also Doing Business As: FMJ Ecommerce Fred Meyer Jewelers Mail Order fredmeyerjewelers.com littmanjewelers.com Food 4 Less GM, Inc. [California] Food 4 Less Holdings, Inc. [Delaware] Food 4 Less Merchandising, Inc. [California]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   1   Food 4 Less of California, Inc. [California] Food 4 Less of Southern California, Inc. [Delaware] Fred Meyer, Inc. [Delaware] Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. [California] Also Doing Business As: Fred Meyer Jewelers Littman Jewelers Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Fred Meyer Inter -American Products QFC Quality Food Centers Swan Island Dairy Glendale/Goodwin Realty I, LLC [Ohio] Grubstake Investments, LLC [Oregon] Harris Teeter, LLC [North Carolina] Harris Teeter Properties, LLC [North Carolina] Harris -Teeter Services, Inc. [North Carolina] Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. [North Carolina] Healthy Options Inc. [Delaware] Also Doing Business As: Postal Prescription Services Henpil, Inc. [Texas] Hood -Clayton Logistics LLC [Georgia] HT Fuel DE, LLC [Delaware] HT Fuel MD, LLC [Maryland] HT Fuel NC, LLC [North Carolina] HT Fuel SC, LLC [North Carolina] HT Fuel VA, LLC [Virginia] HTGBD, LLC [North Carolina] HTP Bluffton, LLC [North Carolina] HTP Plaza LLC [North Carolina] HTP Relo, LLC [North Carolina] HTPS, LLC [North Carolina] HTTAH, LLC [North Carolina] Hughes Markets, Inc. [California] Hughes Realty, Inc. [California] Infusion Solutions of Puerto Rico, LLC [Puerto Rico] Inter -American Foods, Inc. [Ohio] Inter -American Products, Inc. [Ohio] IRP, LLC [Wisconsin] I.T.A., Inc. [Wisconsin] ITAC 119, LLC [North Carolina] ITAC 265, LLC [North Carolina] Jondex Corp. [Wisconsin] Jubilee Carolina, LLC [North Carolina] Junior Food Stores of West Florida, Inc. [Florida] Also Doing Business As: Kwik Shop Kwik Shop Market Tom Thumb Food Stores J.V. Distributing, Inc. [Michigan] KCDE – 2012, LLC [Ohio] KCDE – 2013, LLC [Ohio]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   2   Kee Trans, Inc. [Wisconsin] Kessel FP, L.L.C. [Michigan] Kessel RCD, L.L.C. [Michigan] Kessel Saginaw, L.L.C. [Michigan] KGO LLC [Ohio] Kiosk Medicine Kentucky, LLC [Kentucky] Also Doing Business As: The Little Clinic Kirkpatrick West Retail, LLC [Virginia] KPF Insurance Services LLC [Ohio] KPF, LLC [Delaware] KPS, LLC [Ohio] KRGP Inc. [Ohio] KRLP Inc. [Ohio] Kroger 017 Operator, Inc. [Ohio] Kroger 509 Operator, Inc. [Ohio] Kroger 592 Operator, Inc. [Ohio] The Kroger Co. of Michigan [Michigan] Also Doing Business As: Inter -American Products Kessel Food Markets Kessel Pharmacies Kroger Fresh Fare Kroger Community Development Entity, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co. [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: KDL Kroger G.O. LLC [Ohio] Kroger Limited Partnership I [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Chef ’s Choice Catering Foods Plus Gene Maddy Drugs Inter -American Products JayC Food Stores Kentucky Distribution Center Kroger Food Stores Kroger Marketplace Owen ’s Supermarket Peyton ’s Southeastern Queen City Centre Ruler Discount Foods Ruler Foods Scott ’s Food & Pharmacy Kroger Limited Partnership II [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Country Oven Bakery Crossroad Farms Dairy Inter -American Products K. B. Specialty Foods Kenlake Foods Pace Dairy of Indiana Peyton ’s Northern Winchester Farms Dairy Kroger Management Co. [Michigan]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   3   Kroger Management – Corryville, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Athens I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Champaign I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Champaign II, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Cincinnati I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Columbus I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Dallas I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Danville I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Griffin I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Houston I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Logansport I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Missouri I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Oak Ridge I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Olney I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Omaha I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Portsmouth I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Starkville I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Topeka I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Management – NMTC Warrenton I, LLC [Ohio] Kroger MC Holdings, LLC [Ohio] Kroger MTL Management, LLC [Ohio] Kroger Prescription Plans, Inc. [Ohio] Kroger Texas L.P. [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: America ’s Beverage Company Inter -American Products Kroger Kroger Kwik Shop Vandervoort Dairy Foods Company KR Plaza Holdings, LLC [Delaware] Kwik Shop, Inc. [Kansas] The Little Clinic LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic Management Services LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of IN LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC [Ohio] The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of TX LLC [Delaware] The Little Clinic of VA LLC [Delaware] Local Mkt LLC [Ohio] Main & Vine LLC [Ohio] Matthews Property 1, LLC [North Carolina] Mega Marts, LLC [Wisconsin] Also Doing Business As: Metro Market Pick ‘n Save Michigan Dairy, L.L.C. [Michigan] Mini Mart, Inc. [Wyoming] Also Doing Business As: Loaf ‘N Jug Pace Dairy Foods Company [Ohio] Paramount Logistics, LLC [Ohio]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   4   Pay Less Super Markets, Inc. [Indiana] Peyton ’s -Southeastern, Inc. [Tennessee] Also Doing Business As: Peyton ’s Mid -South Company Plum Labs, L.L.C. [Ohio] Pontiac Foods, Inc. [South Carolina] Queen City Assurance, Inc. [Vermont] Quik Stop Markets, Inc. [California] Ralphs Grocery Company [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Food 4 Less Food 4 Less Midwest Foods Co. Inter -American Products Ralphs Ralphs Fresh Fare Ralphs Marketplace RBF, LLC [Wisconsin] Rocket Newco, Inc. [Texas] Roundy ’s Acquisition Corp. [Delaware] Roundy ’s Illinois, LLC [Wisconsin] Also Doing Business As: Mariano ’s Roundy ’s, Inc. [Delaware] Roundy ’s Supermarkets, Inc. [Wisconsin] Second Story, Inc. [Washington] Shop -Rite, LLC [Wisconsin] Also Doing Business As: Metro Market Pick ‘n Save Smith ’s Beverage of Wyoming, Inc. [Wyoming] Smith ’s Food & Drug Centers, Inc. [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Fry ’s Food Stores Fry ’s Marketplace Fry ’s Mercado Inter -American Products Peyton ’s Phoenix Smith ’s Express Smith ’s Food & Drug Stores Smith ’s Fuel Centers Smith ’s Marketplace Southern Ice Cream Specialties, Inc. [Ohio] Sunrise R&D Holdings, LLC [Ohio] THGP Co., Inc. [Pennsylvania] THLP Co., Inc. [Pennsylvania] TH Midwest, Inc. [Ohio] Also Doing Business As: Turkey Hill Minit Markets TLC Corporate Services LLC [Delaware] TLC Immunization Clinic LLC [Delaware] TLC of Georgia LLC [Delaware] Also Doing Business As: The Little Clinic Topvalco, Inc. [Ohio]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   5   Turkey Hill, L.P. [Pennsylvania] Also Doing Business As: Inter -American Products Turkey Hill Dairy, Inc. Turkey Hill Minit Markets Ultimate Mart, LLC [Wisconsin] Also Doing Business As: Copps Pick ‘n Save Ultra Mart Foods, LLC [Wisconsin] Also Doing Business As: Pick ‘n Save Vine Court Assurance Incorporated [Vermont] Vitacost.com, Inc. [Delaware] Woodmont Holdings, LLC [North Carolina] You Technology, LLC [Ohio]   [ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation or organization and do not form part of corporate name.   6 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 23.1   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S - 3 (File No. 333 - 192842) and S - 8 (File Nos. 033 - 55501, 333 - 27211, 333 - 78935, 333 - 91354, 333 - 126076, 333 - 151967, 333 - 164951, 333 - 175086, 333 - 185446, 333 - 197711, 333 - 197712, 333 - 206531 and 333 - 206532) of The Kroger Co. of our report dated March 29, 2016 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10 - K.       1 Section 6: EX -23.1 (EX -23.1) /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Cincinnati, Ohio March 29, 2016 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 24.1   POWER OF ATTORNEY   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors of THE KROGER CO. (the “Company ” ) hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Christine S. Wheatley and Stacey M. Heiser, or either of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys -in -fact to sign and execute for and on his or her behalf the Company ’s annual report on Form 10 -K, and any and all amendments thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in such form as they, or either of them, may approve and to do any and all other acts which said attorneys -in -fact, or either of them, may deem necessary or desirable to enable the Company to comply with said Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned directors have hereunto set their hands as of the 10  day of March, 2016.       1   POWER OF ATTORNEY   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer of THE KROGER CO. (the “Company ” ) hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Christine S. Wheatley and Stacey M. Heiser, or either of them, his true and lawful attorneys -in -fact to sign and execute for and on his behalf the Company ’s annual report on Form 10 -K, and any and all amendments thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in such form as they, or either of them, may approve and to do any and all other acts which said attorneys -in -fact, or either of them, may deem necessary or desirable to enable the Company to comply with said Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer has hereunto set his hand, as of the 18  day of March, 2016.     2   POWER OF ATTORNEY   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer of THE KROGER CO. (the “Company ” ) hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Christine S. Wheatley and Stacey M. Heiser, or either of them, his true and lawful attorneys -in -fact to sign and execute for and on his behalf the Company ’s annual report on Form 10 -K, and any and all amendments thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Section 7: EX -24.1 (EX -24.1) /s/ Nora A. Aufreiter /s/ Jorge P. Montoya Nora A. Aufreiter Jorge P. Montoya             /s/ Robert D. Beyer /s/ Clyde R. Moore Robert D. Beyer Clyde R. Moore             /s/ Anne Gates /s/ Susan M. Phillips Anne Gates Susan M. Phillips             /s/ Susan J. Kropf /s/ James A. Runde Susan J. Kropf James A. Runde             /s/ David B. Lewis /s/ Ronald L. Sargent David B. Lewis Ronald L. Sargent             /s/ W. Rodney McMullen /s/ Bobby S. Shackouls W. Rodney McMullen Bobby S. Shackouls /s/ W. Rodney McMullen W. Rodney McMullen Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer th th pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in such form as they, or either of them, may approve and to do any and all other acts which said attorneys -in -fact, or either of them, may deem necessary or desirable to enable the Company to comply with said Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer has hereunto set his hand, as of the 18  day of March, 2016.     3   POWER OF ATTORNEY   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer of THE KROGER CO. (the “Company ” ) hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Christine S. Wheatley and Stacey M. Heiser, or either of them, her true and lawful attorneys -in -fact to sign and execute for and on her behalf the Company ’s annual report on Form 10 -K, and any and all amendments thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in such form as they, or either of them, may approve and to do any and all other acts which said attorneys -in -fact, or either of them, may deem necessary or desirable to enable the Company to comply with said Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer has hereunto set her hand, as of the 18  day of March, 2016.     4 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 31.1   CERTIFICATION   I, W. Rodney McMullen, certify that:   1.              I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10 -K of The Kroger Co.;   2.              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;   3.              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;   4.              The registrant ’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(e) and 15d -15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15 (f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have:   (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;   (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;   (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant ’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and   (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant ’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant ’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to /s/ J. Michael Schlotman J. Michael Schlotman Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer /s/ M. Elizabeth Van Oflen M. Elizabeth Van Oflen Vice President and Controller and Principal Accounting Officer Section 8: EX -31.1 (EX -31.1) th th materially affect, the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting; and   5.              The registrant ’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant ’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant ’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):   (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant ’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and   (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting.     1 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 31.2   CERTIFICATION   I, J. Michael Schlotman, certify that:   1.              I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10 -K of The Kroger Co.;   2.              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;   3.              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;   4.              The registrant ’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(e) and 15d -15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15 (f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have:   (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;   (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;   (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant ’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and   (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant ’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant ’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting; and   5.              The registrant ’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant ’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant ’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):   (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant ’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and   (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant ’s internal control over financial reporting.   Date: March 29, 2016 /s/ W. Rodney McMullen W. Rodney McMullen Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Section 9: EX -31.2 (EX -31.2)     1 ( Back To Top ) EXHIBIT 32.1   CERTIFICATIONS   NOTE: The referenced officers, based on their knowledge, furnish the following certification, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.   We, W. Rodney McMullen, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and J. Michael Schlotman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of The Kroger Co. (the “Company ” ), do hereby certify in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes -Oxley Act of 2002, that:   1.              The Annual Report on Form 10 -K of the Company for the period ending January 30, 2016 (the “Periodic Report ” ) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. §78m or 78o(d)); and   2.              The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.     A signed original of this written statement as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes -Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to The Kroger Co., and will be retained by The Kroger Co. and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.   1 ( Back To Top ) Date: March 29, 2016 /s/ J. Michael Schlotman J. Michael Schlotman Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) Section 10: EX -32.1 (EX -32.1) Dated:  March 29, 2016 /s/ W. Rodney McMullen W. Rodney McMullen Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer     /s/ J. Michael Schlotman J. Michael Schlotman Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer