EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Nov. 04, 2017	Nov. 05, 2016	Nov. 04, 2017	Nov. 05, 2016
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Net earnings numerator	$ 393	$ 388	$ 1,044	$ 1,458
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	887	940	901	946
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 0.44	$ 0.41	$ 1.16	$ 1.54
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	6	13	9	16
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	893	953	910	962
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 0.44	$ 0.41	$ 1.15	$ 1.52
Undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities	$ 4	$ 3	$ 9	$ 11
Shares excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share	26	11	15	7

The amount of undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities for the period.

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Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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