{"url_path":"/sec/kr/proxy/2026-05-13/000110465926060263","section_key":"body","section_title":"DEFA14A body","topic":"sec","document":{"doc_type":"DEFA14A","doc_date":"2026-05-13","source_url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/0001104659-26-060263-index.html","accession_number":"0001104659-26-060263","cik":"0000056873","ticker":"KR","issuer_name":"KROGER CO","edgar_url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/0001104659-26-060263-index.html","primary_entity_key":"0000056873","primary_entity_name":"KROGER CO"},"word_count":527,"has_tables":true,"body_markdown":"DEFA14A\n1\ntm261573d3_defa14a.htm\nDEFA14A\n\n**UNITED\nSTATES\nSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION****Washington D.C. 20549**\n\n**SCHEDULE 14A**\n\n**Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of\nthe\nSecurities Exchange Act of 1934**\n\nFiled\nby the Registrant      Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨\n\nCheck the appropriate box:\n\n¨Preliminary Proxy Statement\n\n¨**Confidential, for Use of the\nCommission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))**\n\n¨Definitive Proxy Statement\n\nxDefinitive Additional Materials\n\n¨Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12\n\n**THE KROGER\nCO.**\n\n**(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)**\n\n**(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,\nif other than the Registrant)**\n\nPayment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):\n\nNo fee required.\n\n¨Fee computed on table in exhibit\nrequired by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.\n\nYour Vote Counts!\nSmartphone users\nPoint your camera here and\nvote without entering a\ncontrol number\nFor complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com\nControl #\nV93856-P49310\nTHE KROGER CO.\nYou invested in THE KROGER CO. and it’s time to vote!\nYou have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the\navailability of proxy materials for the shareholder meeting to be held on June 25, 2026.\nVote Virtually at the Meeting*\nJune 25, 2026\n11:00 AM, Eastern Time\nVirtually at:\nwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KR2026\n*Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance.\nGet informed before you vote\nView the Combined Notice, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the\nmaterial(s) by requesting prior to June 11, 2026. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future shareholder\nmeetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If\nsending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise\nreceive a paper or email copy.\nTHE KROGER CO.\n1014 VINE STREET\nCINCINNATI, OH 45202\n2026 Annual Meeting\nVote by June 24, 2026 11:59 PM ET. For shares held in a\nPlan, vote by June 22, 2026 11:59 PM ET.\n\nVote at www.ProxyVote.com\nPrefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”.\nVoting Items\nBoard\nRecommends\nV93857-P49310\nTHIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT\nThis is an overview of the proposals being presented at the\nupcoming shareholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on\nthe reverse side to vote these important matters.\n1. Election of Directors.\nNominees:\n1a. Nora A. Aufreiter For\n1b. Kevin M. Brown For\n1c. Mitchell R. Butier For\n1d. Gregory S. Foran For\n1e. Anne Gates For\n1f. Karen M. Hoguet For\n1g. Ronald L. Sargent For\n1h. J. Amanda Sourry Knox For\n1i. Mark S. Sutton For\n1j. Ashok Vemuri For\n2. Approval, on an advisory basis, of Kroger’s executive compensation. For\n3. Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as auditors. For\n4. Approval of the 2019 Second Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. For\n5. Report on GHG emissions reductions. Against\nNOTE: Holders of common shares of record at the close of business on April 28, 2026 will be entitled to vote at the\nmeeting."}