<p><strong>Cincinnati, OH</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Kroger Co has reported that total sales, including fuel, increased 5.8 percent to $29.1 billion in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $27.5 billion for the same period in 2011. The first quarter, ended May 19th 2012, saw total sales, excluding fuel, increase by 4.3 percent over the same period in 2011 and identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, increase by 4.2 percent. This marks 34 consecutive quarters of positive identical supermarket sales for Kroger. Net earnings for the first quarter totaled $439.4 million, compared with $432.3 million over the same period last year. David B. Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, states “Kroger’s solid first quarter performance demonstrates that our Customer 1st strategy continues to resonate with customers. Our core business is growing, and we are rewarding shareholders through earnings growth, increasing dividends over time and share buybacks.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Kroger also expect identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, to grow by a range of 3.0 percent to 3.5 percent. Mr. Dillon adds, “We were very pleased with the results of the first quarter. We exceeded our expectations, and as a result raised our earnings per share guidance for the year. Through our focus on the customer, we will continue to stand out among food retailers, and drive loyalty, cash flow and earnings growth in 2012 and beyond.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.kroger.com"target="_new"> Kroger Co </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
