Document and Entity Information - shares	4 Months Ended
	May 20, 2017	Jun. 21, 2017
Document and Entity Information Abstract
Entity Registrant Name	KROGER CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000056873
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 20, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-03
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		897,346,365
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1