Pricing Supplement No. 42                    Filed Pursuant to
(To Prospectus dated July 6, 1993            Rule 424(b)(5)
and Prospectus Supplement dated              File No. 33-64192
October 15, 1993)
                                        Dated: April 22, 1994

                              THE KROGER CO.

                     General Term Notes (R), Series B
            Due from Nine Months to 25 Years from Date of Issue

Aggregate Principal Amount:  $240,000.00

Fixed or Variable Rate:  Fixed

Interest Rate:

     If Fixed Rate Note:

         Interest Rate:  7.500%

         Interest Payment Date(s) (Monthly or Otherwise): 
         Monthly, Beginning 05/15/94

     If Variable Rate Note:

         Base Rate:  N/A

         Initial Interest Rate:  N/A

         Interest Reset Period(s):  N/A

         Interest Payment Date(s) (Monthly or Otherwise): N/A

         Interest Reset Date(s):  N/A

         Spread, If Any:  N/A

         Maximum Interest Rate, If Any:  N/A

         Minimum Interest Rate, If Any:  N/A

Stated Maturity Date:  April 15, 1999

Purchase Price:  98.000% of Principal Amount

Issue Date:  April 28, 1994

Optional Redemption by the Company:

     Initial Optional Redemption Date:   04/15/96

     Redemption Price(s):                04/15/96 and
                                         thereafter - 100%

     Applicable Premium(s), if any:      None


Under the Credit Agreement, the Senior Lenders' consent may be
required prior to any optional redemption of the Notes.  See
"DESCRIPTION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT-Certain Covenants-Prepayment
of Other Debt" in the Prospectus.

                                        Principal Amount
                                            of Notes
     Agent                              to be Purchased
     -----                              ----------------

Kemper Securities, Inc.                 $    10,000.00
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.           160,000.00
J. W. Korth & Company                        70,000.00
                                        --------------
     Total                              $   240,000.00
                                        ==============

                                   Per Note        Total
                                   --------        -----

Prices to Public:                  100.00%     $240,000.00

Underwriter's Discount
  or Commission                      2.00%       $4,800.00

Maximum Dealer's Discount or
  Selling Concession:                1.50%       $3,600.00

Proceeds to The Kroger Co.:         98.00%     $235,200.00


CUSIP Number:  50104R-BT-6

Terms defined in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement are
used in this Pricing Supplement as so defined.


(R) Registered service mark of J. W. Korth & Company