Kroger Names Ellis President of Fred Meyer Stores

CINCINNATI, July 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. announced today Michael Ellis has been appointed to President of its Fred Meyer division, effective immediately. Mr. Ellis has held several leadership positions with Kroger, including his most recent role as Group Vice President for Grocery, Drug, General Merchandise, Pharmacy and Advertising.

"Mike built his career with Fred Meyer and we are excited to have him lead the division," said Don McGeorge, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kroger. "His extensive experience in food and general merchandise will be a tremendous asset in his new role. We know Mike looks forward to joining Fred Meyer associates again as the division continues to enhance our customers' shopping experience."

Kroger's Fred Meyer division, based in Portland, Oregon, is a chain of 128 multi-department stores in four western states. Fred Meyer stores carry a wide selection of general merchandise including apparel, home furnishings, electronics, toys and fuel in addition to full grocery and pharmacy departments.

Mr. Ellis, 48, started his career with Fred Meyer as a parcel clerk in 1975. He served in several grocery merchandising and management positions during his career. Prior to his most recent role at Kroger's headquarters in Cincinnati, Mr. Ellis served as senior vice president of Fred Meyer's food group for five years.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,483 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 783 convenience stores, 423 fine jewelry stores, 593 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at http://www.kroger.com/.