Document and Entity Information - shares	4 Months Ended
	May 21, 2016	Jun. 22, 2016
Document and Entity Information Abstract
Entity Registrant Name	KROGER CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000056873
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 21, 2016
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		948,992,301
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1