Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549   FORM 8-K   CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934   Date of Report:  February 23, 2021 (Date of earliest event reported)    THE KROGER CO. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Ohio   No. 1-303   31-0345740 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)   1014 Vine Street Cincinnati , OH 45202 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)   Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  ( 513 ) 762-4000   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:   ¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   ¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   ¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   ¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))    Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock $1 par value   KR   NYSE   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).   Emerging growth company ¨   If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨           Item 5.02 Departure of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.   On March 1, 2021, The Kroger Co. announced that Michael J. Donnelly, the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has informed the company of his intention to retire in the spring of 2021.   Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d)    Exhibits.   Exhibit No.   Description 99.1   Press Release dated March 1, 2021 104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)         SIGNATURE   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     THE KROGER CO.             March 1, 2021 By: /s/ Christine S. Wheatley     Christine S. Wheatley     Group Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel