<p><strong>CINCINNATI, OH</strong> - The Kroger Co. has some impressive numbers to reveal for third quarter, 2011. Total sales, including fuel, were $20.6 billion for the quarter. This number is a 10.3% increase compared with $18.7 billion for the same quarter last year. The third quarter, which ended November 5, 2011, also resulted in identical supermarket sales, without fuel, increasing 5.0% over the same period last year. This number brings Kroger's consecutive quarters of increased identical supermarket sales to thirty-two. The company also increased its diluted earnings per share guidance to $1.95 to $2.00 for the entire year.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> David B. Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer states, "Kroger had an outstanding third quarter. Our associates delivered on our Customer 1st strategy and we had strong sales and earnings per share growth." Mr. Dillon goes on to observe, "This is exactly the positive momentum we strive for as we enter the holiday season, our most exciting time of the year. Based on the consistency of our results, we have the confidence to raise our earnings guidance for the year.“</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.kroger.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
