EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	4 Months Ended
	May 20, 2017	May 21, 2016
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 301	$ 690
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	914	954
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 0.33	$ 0.72
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	11	12
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 301	$ 690
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	925	966
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.71
Undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities	$ 2	$ 6
Shares excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share	9	3