CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Aug. 11, 2012	Aug. 13, 2011	Aug. 11, 2012	Aug. 13, 2011
Sales	$ 21,726	$ 20,913	$ 50,791	$ 48,374
Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below	17,278	16,555	40,374	38,179
Operating, general and administrative	3,391	3,353	7,854	7,688
Rent	139	143	331	335
Depreciation and amortization	383	374	884	873
Operating profit	535	488	1,348	1,299
Interest expense	106	97	247	235
Earnings before income tax expense	429	391	1,101	1,064
Income tax expense	148	108	380	360
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	281	283	721	704
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	2	3	(9)
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co.	$ 279	$ 281	$ 718	$ 713
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.47	$ 1.30	$ 1.17
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation (in shares)	538	596	548	603
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 1.29	$ 1.17
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation (in shares)	541	600	552	607
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.115	$ 0.105	$ 0.23	$ 0.21

The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line, excluding rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

No definition available.