EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 10, 2018	Aug. 18, 2018	Feb. 03, 2018	Nov. 04, 2017	Aug. 12, 2017	May 26, 2018	May 20, 2017	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Net earnings numerator (basic)									$ 3,076	$ 1,890	$ 1,959
Net earnings numerator (diluted)									$ 3,076	$ 1,890	$ 1,959
Average number of common shares used in basic calculation	798.0	797.0	797.0	875.0	887.0	897.0	839.0	914.0	810.0	895.0	942.0
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per basic common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 0.63	$ 0.97	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 2.39	$ 0.33	$ 3.80	$ 2.11	$ 2.08
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)									8.0	9.0	16.0
Average number of common shares used in diluted calculation	806.0	807.0	805.0	884.0	893.0	905.0	846.0	925.0	818.0	904.0	958.0
Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 0.62	$ 0.96	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 2.37	$ 0.32	$ 3.76	$ 2.09	$ 2.05
Undistributed and distributed earnings to participating securities									$ 34	$ 17	$ 16
Shares excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share									10.1	15.6	7.1