Kroger Stores Offer Customers Free Groceries

Beginning May 2, New Program Gives Kroger Customers an Extra $30, $60 or $120 When They Turn Their Tax Refund or Economic Stimulus Checks into Kroger Gift Cards

CINCINNATI, Ohio.– The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) said today that beginning May 2, 2008, customers can receive free groceries through a gift card program available exclusively in Kroger stores. The program allows Kroger customers to exchange their tax refund or economic stimulus checks for a Kroger gift card with an extra $30.00, $60.00 or $120.00 added to it. Gift card amounts correspond to the payment amounts outlined by the Internal Revenue Service for the federal economic stimulus program.
For example:
Load This Amount Onto A Kroger Gift Card: Receive Kroger Gift Card(s) Valued At This Amount:
$300.00 $330.00
$600.00 660.00 (2 gift cards valued at $330.00 each)
$1,200.00 $1,320.00 (4 gift cards valued at $330.00 each)

“Grocery bills represent a significant expenditure for the average American family. In fact, the average family of four spends between $105 and $235 per week* on food purchased at a store and prepared at home,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. “Kroger’s program allows our customers to stretch their grocery dollars further. We are excited about the opportunity to touch the lives of millions of families across the country by helping them extend their household budgets through this special program.”

The program will be available throughout Kroger stores nationwide – including Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen’s, Pay Less, Ralphs, Smith’s and QFC stores. Kroger customers who are interested in exchanging their refunds or economic stimulus checks should present their check and customer loyalty card at their local store’s Customer Service center from May 2, 2008 through July 31, 2008. The program is limited to one offer per household with a limit of $1,200.00.

Amounts that differ from those outlined above will be turned into gift cards in $300.00, $600.00 or $1,200.00 increments with the bonus amounts added on and the remainder returned to the customer. For example, if a customer has a tax refund or stimulus check of $415.50, the customer will receive a Kroger gift card valued at $330.00 and the remaining $115.50 will be returned to the customer.