Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	May 21, 2011	Jun. 17, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	KROGER CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000056873
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 21, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		605,111,988
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1