UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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THE KROGER CO.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Fellow Kroger Shareholders:

It is our pleasure to invite you to join our Board of Directors, senior leadership, and other Kroger associates at The Kroger Co. Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

When:
Thursday, June 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time.
   
   
   
Where:
Music Hall
Music Hall Ballroom
1241 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
   
   
   
Items of Business:
1.
To elect 11 director nominees.
 
2.
To approve our executive compensation, on an advisory basis.
 
3.
To consider and act upon a proposal to approve The Kroger Co. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
 
4.
To approve an amendment to our Regulations to permit Board amendments in accordance with Ohio law.
 
5.
To ratify the selection of our independent auditor for fiscal year 2019.
 
6.
To vote on two shareholder proposals, if properly presented at the meeting.
 
7.
To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting.
   
   
   
Who can Vote:
Holders of Kroger common shares at the close of business on the record date May 1, 2019 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
   
   
   
How to Vote:
Your vote is important! Please vote your proxy in one of the following ways:
   
   
   
 
1.
Via the internet, by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
 
2.
By telephone, by calling the number on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice.
 
3.
By mail, by marking, signing, dating and mailing your proxy card if you requested printed materials, or your voting instruction form. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.
 
4.
In person, by attending the meeting in Cincinnati.
   
   
   
Attending the Meeting:
Shareholders holding shares at the close of business on the record date may attend the meeting. If you own your shares through a brokerage firm you must bring your brokerage statement to show you owned the shares as of the record date and valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. If you own your shares directly, you should bring the notice of meeting that was mailed to you, or the top portion of your proxy card, and valid photo identification. We reserve the right to exclude any person who cannot provide the required items.
   
   
   
Webcast of the Meeting:
If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may listen to a live webcast of the meeting by visiting ir.kroger.com at 11:00 a.m. eastern time on June 27, 2019.

We appreciate your continued confidence in Kroger, and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

May 14, 2019
Cincinnati, Ohio
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Christine S. Wheatley, Secretary

Proxy Statement

May 14, 2019

We are providing this notice, proxy statement and annual report to the shareholders of The Kroger Co. (“Kroger”, “we”, “us”, “our”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Kroger (the “Board”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time, at the Music Hall Ballroom, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and at any adjournments thereof.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1100. Our telephone number is 513-762-4000. This notice, proxy statement and annual report, and the accompanying proxy card were first furnished to shareholders on May 14, 2019.

Who can vote?

You can vote if, as of the close of business on May 1, 2019, you were a shareholder of record of Kroger common shares.

Who is asking for my vote, and who pays for this proxy solicitation?

Your proxy is being solicited by Kroger’s Board of Directors. Kroger is paying the cost of solicitation. We have hired D.F. King & Co., Inc., 48 Wall Street, New York, New York, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist us in soliciting proxies and we will pay them a fee estimated not to exceed $17,500 for base solicitation fees.

We also will reimburse banks, brokers, nominees, and other fiduciaries for postage and reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding the proxy material to beneficial owners of our common shares.

Proxies may be solicited personally, by telephone, electronically via the Internet, or by mail.

Who are the members of the Proxy Committee?

Anne Gates, W. Rodney McMullen, and Ronald L. Sargent, all Kroger Directors, are the members of the Proxy Committee for our 2019 Annual Meeting.

How do I vote my proxy?

You can vote your proxy in one of the following ways:

1.Via the internet, by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
2.By telephone, by calling the number on your proxy card, voting instruction form, or notice.
3.By mail, by marking, signing, dating, and mailing your proxy card if you requested printed materials, or your voting instruction form. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.
4.In person, by attending the meeting in Cincinnati.

What do I need to attend the meeting in person in Cincinnati?

Shareholders holding shares at the close of business on the record date may attend the meeting. If you own your shares through a brokerage firm you must bring your brokerage statement to show you owned the shares as of the record date and valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. If you own your shares directly, you should bring the notice of meeting that was mailed to you, or the top portion of your proxy card, and valid photo identification. We reserve the right to exclude any person who cannot provide the required items.

Can I change or revoke my proxy?

The common shares represented by each proxy will be voted in the manner you specified unless your proxy is revoked before it is exercised. You may change or revoke your proxy by providing written notice to Kroger’s Secretary at 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, in person at the meeting, or by executing and sending us a subsequent proxy.

How many shares are outstanding?

As of the close of business on May 1, 2019, the record date, our outstanding voting securities consisted of                    common shares.

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How many votes per share?

Each common share outstanding on the record date will be entitled to one vote on each of the 11 director nominees and one vote on each other proposal. Shareholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.

What voting instructions can I provide?

You may instruct the proxies to vote “For” or “Against” each proposal, or you may instruct the proxies to “Abstain” from voting.

What happens if proxy cards or voting instruction forms are returned without instructions?

If you are a registered shareholder and you return your proxy card without instructions, the Proxy Committee will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

If you hold shares in street name and do not provide your broker with specific voting instructions on proposals 1 – 4 and 6 and 7, which are considered non-routine matters, your broker does not have the authority to vote on those proposals. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Proposal 5, ratification of auditors, is considered a routine matter and, therefore, your broker may vote your shares according to your broker’s discretion.

The vote required, including the effect of broker non-votes and abstentions for each of the matters presented for shareholder vote, is set forth below.

What are the voting requirements and voting recommendation for each of the proposals?

Proposals
Board
Recommendation
Voting Approval
Standard
Effect of
Abstention
Effect of
broker
Non-vote
No. 1 Election of Directors
FOR each Director Nominee
More votes “FOR” than “AGAINST” since an uncontested election
No Effect
No Effect
No. 2 Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
FOR
Affirmative vote of the majority of shares participating in the voting
No Effect
No Effect
No. 3 Vote to Approve The Kroger Co. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan
FOR
Affirmative vote of the majority of shares participating in the voting
No Effect
No Effect
No. 4 Vote to Approve Amendment to Regulations to Permit Board Amendments in Accordance with Ohio Law
FOR
Affirmative vote of 75% of the outstanding shares
Vote Against
Vote Against
No. 5 Ratification of Independent Auditors
FOR
Affirmative vote of the majority of shares participating in the voting
No Effect
Not Applicable
Nos. 6 and 7 Shareholder Proposals
AGAINST
each Proposal
Affirmative vote of the majority of shares participating in the voting
No Effect
No Effect
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder
Meeting to be Held on June 27, 2019
   
The Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and 2018 Annual Report and the means to vote by internet are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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Kroger’s Corporate Governance Practices

Kroger is committed to strong corporate governance. We believe that strong governance builds trust and promotes the long-term interests of our shareholders. Highlights of our corporate governance practices include the following:

Board Governance Practices

Strong Board oversight of enterprise risk.
All director nominees are independent, except for the CEO.
All five Board committees are fully independent.
Robust code of ethics.
Annual evaluation of the Chairman and CEO by the independent directors, led by the independent Lead Director.
Annual Board and committee self-assessments.
Commitment to Board refreshment and diversity.
Regular executive sessions of the independent directors, at the Board and committee level.
Strong independent Lead Director with clearly defined role and responsibilities.
High degree of Board interaction with management to ensure successful oversight and succession planning.

Shareholder Rights

All directors are elected annually with a simple majority standard for all uncontested director elections and by plurality in contested director elections.
No poison pill (shareholder rights plan).
Shareholders have the right to call a special meeting.
Regular engagement with shareholders to understand their perspectives and concerns on a broad array of topics, including corporate governance matters.
Responsive to shareholder feedback.
Adopted proxy access for director nominees, enabling a shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, holding 3% of the Company’s common shares for at least three years to nominate candidates for the greater of two seats or 20% of board nominees.

Compensation Governance

Pay program tied to performance and business strategy.
Majority of pay is long-term and at-risk with no guaranteed bonuses or salary increases.
Stock ownership guidelines align executive and director interests with those of shareholders.
Prohibition on all hedging, pledging, and short sales of Kroger securities by directors and executive officers.
No tax gross-up payments to executives.

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Proposals to Shareholders

Item No. 1. Election of Directors

You are being asked to elect 11 director nominees for a one-year term. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of all director nominees.

As of the date of this proxy statement, Kroger’s Board of Directors consists of 12 members. All nominees, if elected at the 2019 Annual Meeting, will serve until the annual meeting in 2020, or until their successors have been elected by the shareholders or by the Board pursuant to Kroger’s Regulations, and qualified. As previously disclosed, Mr. Robert D. Beyer has informed the Board that he is retiring from the Board effective as of June 27, 2019 and will not stand for re-election.

Kroger’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the vote required for election of a director nominee by the shareholders, except in a contested election or when cumulative voting is in effect, is the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for or against the election of a nominee.

The experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that led the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board to conclude that the following individuals should serve as directors are set forth opposite each individual’s name. The committee memberships stated below are those in effect as of the date of this proxy statement.

Nominees for Directors for Terms of Office Continuing until 2020

Nora A. Aufreiter
   
Age 59
   
Director Since 2014
   
Committees:
Financial Policy
Public Responsibilities
Ms. Aufreiter is Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. She retired in June 2014 after more than 27 years with McKinsey, most recently as a director and senior partner. During that time, she worked extensively in the U.S., Canada, and internationally with major retailers, financial institutions, and other consumer-facing companies. Before joining McKinsey, Ms. Aufreiter spent three years in financial services working in corporate finance and investment banking. She is a member of the Board of Directors of The Bank of Nova Scotia. She is also on the board of two privately held companies, The Neiman Marcus Group, and Cadillac Fairview, one of North America’s largest owners, operators and developers of commercial real estate. Ms. Aufreiter also serves on the boards of St. Michael’s Hospital and the Canadian Opera Company, and is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Ivey Business School in Ontario, Canada.
   
Ms. Aufreiter has over 30 years of broad business experience in a variety of retail sectors. Her vast experience in leading McKinsey’s North American Retail Practice, North American Branding service line and the Consumer Digital and Omnichannel service line is of particular value to the Board. She also brings to the Board valuable insight on commercial real estate.
Anne Gates
   
Age 59
   
Director Since 2015
   
Committees:
Audit*
Public Responsibilities
Ms. Gates was President of MGA Entertainment, Inc., a privately-held developer, manufacturer, and marketer of toy and entertainment products for children, from 2014 until her retirement in 2017. Ms. Gates held roles of increasing responsibility with The Walt Disney Company from 1992-2012. Her roles included Executive Vice President, Managing Director, and Chief Financial Officer for Disney Consumer Products, and Senior Vice President of Operations, Planning and Analysis. Prior to joining Disney, Ms. Gates worked for PepsiCo and Bear Stearns. She is currently a director of Tapestry, Inc. and Raymond James Financial, Inc.
   
Ms. Gates has over 25 years of experience in the retail and consumer products industry. She brings to Kroger financial expertise gained while serving as President of MGA and CFO of a division of The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Gates has a broad business background in finance, marketing, strategy and business development, including international business. Her expertise in toy and entertainment products is of particular value to the Board. Ms. Gates has been designated an Audit Committee financial expert and she serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.

* Denotes Committee Chair

4

Susan J. Kropf
   
Age 70
   
Director Since 2007
   
Committees:
Compensation &
Talent Development
Corporate Governance
Ms. Kropf was President and Chief Operating Officer of Avon Products Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of beauty care products, from 2001 until her retirement in January 2007. She joined Avon in 1970 and, during her tenure at Avon, Ms. Kropf also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Avon North America and Global Business Operations from 1998 to 2000 and President, Avon U.S. from 1997 to 1998. Ms. Kropf was a member of Avon’s Board of Directors from 1998 to 2006. She is currently a director of Avon Products, Inc., Tapestry, Inc., and Sherwin Williams Company. She also serves on the board of a privately held company, New Avon, LLC. In the past five years she also served as a director of MeadWestvaco Corporation.
   
Ms. Kropf has unique and valuable consumer insight, having led a major, publicly-traded retailer of beauty and related consumer products. She has extensive experience in manufacturing, marketing, supply chain operations, customer service, and product development, all of which assist her in her role as a member of Kroger’s Board. Ms. Kropf has a strong financial background and has significant boardroom experience through her service on the boards of various public companies, including experience serving on compensation, audit, and corporate governance committees. She was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers. Ms. Kropf received recognition from the National Association of Corporate Directors as an NACD Directorship 100 “Class of 2016” member.
W. Rodney McMullen
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
   
Age 58
   
Director Since 2003
Mr. McMullen was elected Chairman of the Board in January 2015 and Chief Executive Officer of Kroger in January 2014. He served as Kroger’s President and Chief Operating Officer from August 2009 to December 2013. Prior to that, Mr. McMullen was elected to various roles at Kroger including Vice Chairman in 2003, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning, and Finance in 1999, Senior Vice President in 1997, Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in June 1995, and Vice President, Planning and Capital Management in 1989. He is a director of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and VF Corporation.
   
Mr. McMullen has broad experience in the supermarket business, having spent his career spanning over 40 years with Kroger. He has a strong background in finance, operations, and strategic partnerships, having served in a variety of roles with Kroger, including as our CFO, COO, and Vice Chairman. His service as chair of Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s compensation committee and on its executive and investment committees, as well as his service on the audit and nominating and governance committees of VF Corporation, adds depth to his extensive retail experience.
Jorge P. Montoya
   
Age 72
   
Director Since 2007
   
Committees:
Compensation &
Talent Development
Public Responsibilities*
Mr. Montoya was President of The Procter & Gamble Company’s Global Snacks & Beverage division, and President of Procter & Gamble Latin America, from 1999 until his retirement in 2004. Prior to that, he was an Executive Vice President of Procter & Gamble, a provider of branded consumer packaged goods, from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Montoya is a director of The Gap, Inc.
   
Mr. Montoya brings to Kroger’s Board over 30 years of leadership experience at a premier consumer products company. He has a deep knowledge of the Hispanic market, as well as consumer products and retail operations. Mr. Montoya has vast experience in marketing and general management, including international business. He was named among the 50 most important Hispanics in Business & Technology, in Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology Magazine.

* Denotes Committee Chair

5

Clyde R. Moore
   
Age 65
   
Director Since 1997
   
Committees:
Compensation &
Talent Development*
Corporate Governance
Mr. Moore was the Chairman of First Service Networks, a national provider of facility and maintenance repair services, until his retirement in 2015. Prior to his retirement, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Service Networks from 2000 to 2014.
   
Mr. Moore has over 30 years of general management experience in public and private companies. He has sound experience as a corporate leader overseeing all aspects of a facilities management firm and numerous manufacturing companies. Mr. Moore’s expertise broadens the scope of the Board’s experience to provide oversight to Kroger’s facilities, digital, and manufacturing businesses. Additionally, his expertise and leadership as Chair of the Compensation and Talent Development Committee is of particular value to the Board.
James A. Runde
   
Age 72
   
Director Since 2006
   
Committees:
Compensation &
Talent Development
Financial Policy*
Mr. Runde is a special advisor and former Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley, a financial services provider, where he was employed from 1974 until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Burlington Resources, Inc. prior to its acquisition by ConocoPhillips in 2006. Mr. Runde serves as a Trustee Emeritus of Marquette University and the Pierpont Morgan Library.
   
Mr. Runde brings to Kroger’s Board a strong financial background, having led a major financial services provider. He also has served on the compensation committee of a major corporation.
Ronald L. Sargent
   
Lead Director
   
Age 63
   
Director Since 2006
   
Committees:
Audit
Corporate Governance*
Public Responsibilities
Mr. Sargent was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc., a business products retailer, where he was employed from 1989 until his retirement in January 2017. Prior to joining Staples, Mr. Sargent spent 10 years with Kroger in various positions. He is a director of Five Below, Inc. and Wells Fargo & Company. In the past five years, he served as a director of Staples, Inc.
   
Mr. Sargent has over 35 years of retail experience, first with Kroger and then with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership at Staples, Inc. His efforts helped carve out a new market niche for the international retailer. His understanding of retail operations, consumer insights, and e-commerce are of particular value to the Board. Mr. Sargent has been designated an Audit Committee financial expert and serves as Lead Director of the Board.
Bobby S. Shackouls
   
Age 68
   
Director Since 1999
   
Committees:
Audit
Corporate Governance
Mr. Shackouls was Chairman of the Board of Burlington Resources Inc., a natural resources business, from July 1997 until its merger with ConocoPhillips in 2006 and its President and Chief Executive Officer from December 1995 until 2006. Mr. Shackouls was also President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company (formerly known as Meridian Oil Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Burlington Resources, from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Shackouls is a director of Oasis Petroleum Inc., Quintana Energy Services, Plains GP Holdings, L.P., and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. Plains GP Holdings, L.P. is the ultimate general partner of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. and although the two are separate publicly traded companies, they are governed by a single board, and directors receive compensation for service on the single board.
   
Mr. Shackouls brings to the Board the critical thinking that comes with a chemical engineering background, as well as his experience leading a major natural resources company, coupled with his corporate governance expertise.

* Denotes Committee Chair

6

Mark S. Sutton
   
Age 57
   
Director Since 2017
   
Committees:
Audit
Public Responsibilities
Mr. Sutton is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of International Paper, a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper products. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for running the company’s global business. Mr. Sutton joined International Paper in 1984 as an Electrical Engineer. He held roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career, including Mill Manager, Vice President of Corrugated Packaging Operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning, and Senior Vice President of several business units, including global supply chain, before being named CEO in 2014. Mr. Sutton is a member of The Business Council. He serves on the boards of the American Forest & Paper Association, The Business Roundtable, the International Advisory Board of the Moscow School of Management – Skolkovo. He was appointed Chairman of the U.S. – Russian Business Council and New Memphis Institute Board of Governors. He also serves on the Board for Memphis Tomorrow.
   
Mr. Sutton has over thirty years of leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership at International Paper. He brings to the Board the critical thinking that comes with an electrical engineering background as well as his experience leading a global company. His strong strategic planning background and supply chain experience are of particular value to the Board. Mr. Sutton has been designated an Audit Committee financial expert.
Ashok Vemuri
   
Age 51
   
Director Since 2019
   
Committees:
Financial Policy
Public Responsibilities
Mr. Vemuri has served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Conduent Incorporated, a global digital interactions company, since the company’s inception as a result of the spin-off from Xerox Corporation in January 2017. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Xerox Business Services, LLC and as an Executive Vice President of Xerox Corporation from July 2017 to December 2017. Prior to that, he was President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of IGATE Corporation, a New Jersey-based global technology and services company now part of Capgemini, from 2013 to 2015. Before joining IGATE, Mr. Vemuri spent 14 years at Infosys Limited, a multinational consulting and technology services company, in a variety of leadership and business development roles and served on the board of Infosys from 2011 to 2013. Prior to joining Infosys in 1999, Mr. Vemuri worked in the investment banking industry at Deutsche Bank and Bank of America.
   
Mr. Vemuri brings to the Board a proven track record of leading technology services companies through growth and corporate transformations. His experience as CEO of global technology companies is of particular value to the Board as he brings a unique operational, financial, and client experience perspective.

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote For Each Director Nominee.

Board Diversity and Succession Planning

Our director nominees reflect a wide array of experience, skills, and backgrounds. Each director is individually qualified to make unique and substantial contributions to Kroger. Collectively, our directors’ diverse viewpoints and independent-mindedness enhance the quality and effectiveness of Board deliberations and decision making. Our Board is a dynamic group of new and experienced members, providing an appropriate balance of institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives about Kroger due to the varied length of tenure on the Board. This blend of qualifications, attributes, and tenure results in highly effective board leadership.

The Corporate Governance Committee considers racial, ethnic, and gender diversity to be important elements in promoting full, open, and balanced deliberations of issues presented to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates who help the Board reflect the diversity of our shareholders, associates, customers, and the communities in which we operate. Some consideration is also given to the geographic location of director candidates in order to provide a reasonable distribution of members from Kroger’s operating areas.

Board succession planning is an ongoing, year-round process. The Corporate Governance Committee recognizes the importance of thoughtful Board refreshment and engages in a continuing process of identifying attributes sought for future Board members. The Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the Board

7

and committee evaluations regarding the specific qualities, skills, and experiences that would contribute to overall Board and committee effectiveness, as well as the future needs of the Board and its committees in light of Kroger’s current and long-term business strategies, and the skills and qualifications of directors who are expected to retire in the future.

The Corporate Governance Committee believes that it has been successful in its efforts to promote gender and ethnic diversity on our Board. The Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that our director nominees for election at our 2019 annual meeting bring to our Board a variety of different experiences, skills, and qualifications that contribute to a well-functioning diverse Board that effectively oversees the Company’s strategy and management. The charts below show the diversity of our director nominees and the skills and experience that we consider important for our directors in light of our current business, strategy, and structure:

 
Nora
Aufreiter
Anne
Gates
Susan
Kropf
Rodney
McMullen
Jorge
Montoya
Clyde
Moore
James
Runde
Ronald
Sargent
Bobby
Shackouls
Mark
Sutton
Ashok
Vemuri
Total
(of 11)
Business
Management
11
Retail
 
 
 
 
 
6
Consumer
 
 
 
 
 
6
Financial
Expertise
 
10
Risk
Management
 
 
 
 
 
6
Operations
& Technology
 
10
Sustainability
 
 
 
 
 
6
Manufacturing
 
 
 
 
 
 
5


8

Information Concerning the Board of Directors

Board Leadership Structure and Lead Independent Director

The Board is currently composed of eleven independent non-employee directors and one management director, Mr. McMullen, the Chairman and CEO. Kroger has a governance structure in which independent directors exercise meaningful and vigorous oversight.

As provided in Kroger’s Guidelines on Issues of Corporate Governance (the “Guidelines”), the Board has designated one of the independent directors as Lead Director. The Lead Director works with the Chairman to share governance responsibilities, facilitate the development of Kroger’s strategy and grow shareholder value. The Lead Director serves a variety of roles, consistent with current best practices, including:

reviewing and approving Board meeting agendas, materials, and schedules to confirm that the appropriate topics are reviewed, with sufficient information provided to directors on each topic and appropriate time is allocated to each;
serving as the principal liaison between the Chairman, management, and the independent directors;
presiding at the executive sessions of independent directors and at all other meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present;
calling meetings of independent directors at any time; and
serving as the Board’s representative for any consultation and direct communication, following a request, with major shareholders.

The Lead Director carries out these responsibilities in numerous ways, including:

facilitating communication and collegiality among the Board;
soliciting direct feedback from non-employee directors;
overseeing the succession planning process, including meeting with a wide range of employees including corporate and division management associates;
meeting with the CEO frequently to discuss strategy;
serving as a sounding board and advisor to the CEO; and
discussing Company matters with other directors between meetings.

Unless otherwise determined by the independent members of the Board, the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee is designated as the Lead Director. Ronald L. Sargent, an independent director and the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee, was recently appointed Lead Director in June 2018. Mr. Sargent is an effective Lead Director for Kroger due to, among other things:

his independence;
his deep strategic and operational understanding of Kroger obtained while serving as a Kroger director;
his insight into corporate governance;
his experience as the CEO of an international retailer;
his experience on the boards of other large publicly traded companies; and
his engagement and commitment to carrying out the role and responsibilities of the Lead Director.

With respect to the roles of Chairman and CEO, the Guidelines provide that the Board will determine whether it is in the best interests of Kroger and our shareholders for the roles to be combined. The Board exercises this judgment as it deems appropriate in light of prevailing circumstances. Upon retirement of our former Chairman, David B. Dillon, on December 31, 2014, the Board determined that it is in the best interests of Kroger and our shareholders for one person to serve as the Chairman and CEO, as was the case from 2004 through 2013, with another individual serving as independent Lead Director. The Board believes that this leadership structure improves the Board’s ability to focus on key policy and operational issues and helps the Company operate in the long-term interest of shareholders. Additionally, this structure provides an effective balance between strong Company

9

leadership and appropriate safeguards and oversight by independent directors. The Board believes that the structure of the Chairman and independent Lead Director position should continue to be considered as part of the succession planning process.

Annual Board Evaluation Process

The Board and each of its committees conduct an annual evaluation to determine whether the Board is functioning effectively both at the Board and at the committee levels. As part of this annual evaluation, the Board assesses whether the current leadership structure and function continues to be appropriate for Kroger and its shareholders. The Guidelines provide the flexibility for the Board to modify our leadership structure in the future as appropriate. We believe that Kroger, like many U.S. companies, is well-served by this flexible leadership structure.

The Board recognizes that a robust evaluation process is an essential component of strong corporate governance practices and ensuring Board effectiveness. The Corporate Governance Committee oversees an annual evaluation process led by the Lead Independent Director (who also serves as Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee).

Each director completes a detailed written annual evaluation of the Board and the committees on which he or she serves and the Lead Director conducts interviews with each of the directors. These Board evaluations are designed to assess the skills, qualifications, and experience represented on the Board and its committees, and to determine whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively. The process also evaluates the relationship between management and the Board, including the level of access to management, responsiveness of management, and the effectiveness of the Board’s evaluation of management performance. The results of this Board evaluation are discussed by the full Board and each committee, as applicable, and changes to the Board’s and its committees’ practices are implemented as appropriate.

Committees of the Board of Directors

To assist the Board in undertaking its responsibilities, and to allow deeper engagement in certain areas of company oversight, the Board has established five standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Talent Development (“Compensation”), Corporate Governance, Financial Policy, and Public Responsibilities. All committees are composed exclusively of independent directors, as determined under the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards. The current charter of each Board committee is available on our website at ir.kroger.com under Investors – Governance – Guidelines on Issues of Corporate Governance.

Name of Committee, Number of
Meetings, and Current Members
Committee Functions
Audit Committee
   
Meetings in 2018: 5
   
Members:
   Anne Gates, Chair
   Ronald L. Sargent
   Bobby S. Shackouls
   Mark S. Sutton
Oversees the Company’s financial reporting and accounting matters, including review of the Company’s financial statements and the audit thereof, the Company’s financial reporting and accounting process, and the Company’s systems of internal control over financial reporting
Selects, evaluates, and oversees the compensation and work of the independent registered public accounting firm and reviews its performance, qualifications, and independence
Oversees and evaluates the Company’s internal audit function, including review of its audit plan, policies and procedures, and significant findings
Oversees risk assessment and risk management, including review of cybersecurity risks as well as legal or regulatory matters that could have a significant effect on the Company
Reviews and monitors the Company’s compliance programs, including the whistleblower program

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Name of Committee, Number of
Meetings, and Current Members
Committee Functions
Compensation Committee
  
Meetings in 2018: 4
   
Members:
   Clyde R. Moore, Chair
   Susan J. Kropf
   Jorge P. Montoya
   James A. Runde
Recommends for approval by the independent directors the compensation of the CEO and approves the compensation of other senior management
Administers the Company’s executive compensation policies and programs, including determining grants of equity awards under the plans
Has sole authority to retain and direct the committee’s compensation consultant
Assists the full Board with senior management succession planning
Corporate Governance Committee
   
Meetings in 2018: 2
   
Members:
   Ronald L. Sargent, Chair
   Robert D. Beyer
   Susan J. Kropf
   Clyde R. Moore
   Bobby S. Shackouls
Oversees the Company’s corporate governance policies and procedures
Develops criteria for selecting and retaining directors, including identifying and recommending qualified candidates to be director nominees
Designates membership and Chairs of Board committees
Reviews the Board’s performance and director independence
Establishes and reviews the practices and procedures by which the Board performs its functions
Financial Policy Committee
   
Meetings in 2018: 2
   
Members:
   James A. Runde, Chair
   Nora A. Aufreiter
   Robert D. Beyer
   Ashok Vemuri
Reviews and recommends financial policies and practices
Oversees management of the Company’s financial resources
Reviews the Company’s annual financial plan, significant capital investments, plans for major acquisitions or sales, issuance of new common or preferred stock, dividend policy, creation of additional debt and other capital structure considerations including additional leverage or dilution in ownership
Monitors the investment management of assets held in pension and profit sharing plans administered by the Company
Public Responsibilities Committee
   
Meetings in 2018: 2
   
Members:
   Jorge P. Montoya, Chair
   Nora A. Aufreiter
   Anne Gates
   Ronald L. Sargent
   Mark S. Sutton
   Ashok Vemuri
Reviews the Company’s policies and practices affecting its social and public responsibility as a corporate citizen, including: community relations, charitable giving, supplier diversity, sustainability, government relations, political action, consumer and media relations, food and pharmacy safety and the safety of customers and employees
Reviews and examines the Company’s evaluation of and response to changing public expectations and public issues affecting the business




Director Nominee Selection Process

The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board a slate of nominees for election at each annual meeting of shareholders. The Corporate Governance Committee recruits candidates for Board membership through its own efforts and through recommendations from other directors and shareholders. In addition, the Corporate Governance Committee has retained an independent search firm to assist in identifying and recruiting director candidates who meet the criteria established by the Corporate Governance Committee.

These criteria are:

demonstrated ability in fields considered to be of value to the Board in the deliberation and long-term planning of the Board and Kroger, including business management, public service, education, science, technology, e-commerce, law, and government;

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experience in high growth companies and nominees whose business experience can help the Company innovate and derive new value from existing assets;
highest standards of personal character and conduct;
willingness to fulfill the obligations of directors and to make the contribution of which he or she is capable, including regular attendance and participation at Board and committee meetings, and preparation for all meetings, including review of all meeting materials provided in advance of the meeting; and
ability to understand the perspectives of Kroger’s customers, taking into consideration the diversity of our customers, including regional and geographic differences.

The Corporate Governance Committee also considers the specific experience and abilities of director candidates in light of our current business, strategy and structure, and the current or expected needs of the Board in its identification and recruitment of director candidates.

The Guidelines on Issues of Corporate Governance includes a policy that a director’s normal retirement occurs at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the year in which the director reaches the age of 72. However, the Board believes that it is important to monitor the Board’s composition, skills, diversity, and needs in the context of the Company’s overall strategy, and, therefore, may elect to waive the policy in circumstances it deems necessary. Two directors will have reached their normal retirement date at the Annual Meeting, Jorge P. Montoya and James A. Runde. Upon review of the matter, the Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and the Board approved, waiving the retirement date for Mr. Montoya and Mr. Runde and nominating these directors for re-election at the Annual Meeting for an additional one-year term. The Corporate Governance Committee and the Board believe that Mr. Montoya’s and Mr. Runde’s experience as directors and their knowledge of the Company’s business and strategy, particularly in light of the transition of the grocery industry will continue to be of value to the Board. Also, in light of Mr. Beyer, a long-tenured director, retiring from the Board, and the addition of four new directors since 2014, the Corporate Governance and Board believe it provides necessary continuity for Mr. Montoya and Mr. Runde to remain on the Board for an additional year.

Shareholder Engagement

Maintaining ongoing relationships with our shareholders, and understanding our shareholders’ views, is a priority for both our Board and management team. We have a longstanding history of engaging with our shareholders through our investor relations team’s year-round outreach program. At the direction of our Board, we expanded our shareholder engagement program in 2016 to include outreach to our largest shareholders’ governance teams. In 2018, we requested meetings with shareholders representing nearly 50% of our outstanding shares during proxy season and off season engagement and ultimately engaged with shareholders representing over a third of our outstanding shares.

During these engagements, some of which included the participation of our Lead Director, we discussed and solicited feedback on a range of topics, including business strategy, corporate governance, executive compensation and sustainability. In addition, we attended industry events to further engage with shareholders and subject matter experts. These conversations provided valuable insights into our shareholders’ perspectives and their feedback was shared with, and considered by, our full Board.

Candidates Nominated by Shareholders

The Corporate Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for director nominees for election to the Board. If shareholders wish to nominate a person or persons for election to the Board at our 2020 annual meeting, written notice must be submitted to Kroger’s Secretary, and received at our executive offices, in accordance with Kroger’s Regulations, not later than March 30, 2020. Such notice should include the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, the principal occupation or employment of such person, the number of Kroger common shares owned of record or beneficially by such person and any other information relating to the person that would be required to be included in a proxy statement relating to the election of directors. The Secretary will forward the information to the Corporate Governance Committee for its consideration. The Corporate Governance Committee will use the same criteria in evaluating candidates submitted by shareholders as it uses in evaluating candidates identified by the Corporate Governance Committee, as described above. See “Director Nominee Selection Process.”

Eligible shareholders have the ability to submit director nominees for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. To be eligible, shareholders must have owned at least 3% of our common

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shares for at least three years. Up to 20 shareholders will be able to aggregate for this purpose. Nominations must be submitted to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices no earlier than December 15, 2019 and no later than January 14, 2020.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted the Guidelines on Issues of Corporate Governance, which includes copies of the current charters for each of the five standing committees of the Board. The Guidelines are available on our website at ir.kroger.com under Investors – Governance – Guidelines on Issues of Corporate Governance. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Guidelines by making a written request to Kroger’s Secretary at our executive offices.

Independence

The Board has determined that all of the non-employee directors have no material relationships with Kroger and satisfy the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Therefore, all non-employee directors are independent for purposes of the NYSE listing standards. The Board made its determination based on information furnished by all members regarding their relationships with Kroger and its management, and other relevant information. The Board considered, among other things, that

the value of any business transactions between Kroger and entities with which the directors are affiliated falls below the thresholds identified by the NYSE listing standards, and
none had any material relationships with Kroger other than serving on our Board.

Audit Committee Expertise

The Board has determined that Anne Gates, Ronald L. Sargent and Mark S. Sutton, independent directors who are members of the Audit Committee, are “audit committee financial experts” as defined by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations and that all members of the Audit Committee are “financially literate” as that term is used in the NYSE listing standards and are independent in accordance with Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Code of Ethics

The Board has adopted The Kroger Co. Policy on Business Ethics, applicable to all officers, employees and directors, including Kroger’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers. The Policy is available on our website at ir.kroger.com under Investors – Governance – Policy on Business Ethics. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Policy by making a written request to Kroger’s Secretary at our executive offices.

Communications with the Board

The Board has established two separate mechanisms for shareholders and interested parties to communicate with the Board. Any shareholder or interested party who has concerns regarding accounting, improper use of Kroger assets, or ethical improprieties may report these concerns via the toll-free hotline (800-689-4609) or email address (helpline@kroger.com) established by the Board’s Audit Committee. The concerns are investigated by Kroger’s Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and the Vice President of Internal Audit and reported to the Audit Committee as deemed appropriate.

Shareholders or interested parties also may communicate with the Board in writing directed to Kroger’s Secretary at our executive offices. Communications relating to personnel issues, ordinary business operations, or companies seeking to do business with us, will be forwarded to the business unit of Kroger that the Secretary deems appropriate. All other communications will be forwarded to the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee for further consideration. The Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee will take such action as he or she deems appropriate, which may include referral to the full Corporate Governance Committee or the entire Board.

Attendance

The Board held five meetings in fiscal year 2018. During fiscal 2018, all incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and committees on which that director served. Members of the Board are expected to use their best efforts to attend all annual meetings of shareholders. All 11 of the then current members attended last year’s annual meeting.

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Independent Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee directly engages a compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee in the design of Kroger’s executive compensation. The Committee retained Korn Ferry Hay Group, Inc. (“Korn Ferry”) beginning in December 2017. Retained by and reporting directly to the Compensation Committee, Korn Ferry provided the Committee with assistance in evaluating Kroger’s executive compensation programs and policies.

In fiscal 2018, Kroger paid Korn Ferry $366,831 for work performed for the Compensation Committee. Kroger, on management’s recommendation, retained Korn Ferry to provide other services for Kroger in fiscal 2018, for which Kroger paid $42,500. These other services primarily related to consulting on administrative management and digital and technology compensation structure redesign. The Compensation Committee expressly approved Korn Ferry performing these additional services. After taking into consideration the NYSE’s independence standards and the SEC rules, the Compensation Committee determined that Korn Ferry was independent, and their work has not raised any conflict of interest.

The Compensation Committee may engage an additional compensation consultant from time to time as it deems advisable.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of Kroger during fiscal 2018, and no member of the Compensation Committee is a former officer of Kroger or was a party to any related person transaction involving Kroger required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During fiscal 2018, none of our executive officers served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity that has or had executive officers serving as a member of Kroger’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of the Board.

Board Oversight of Enterprise Risk

While risk management is primarily the responsibility of Kroger’s management team, the Board is responsible for strategic planning and overall supervision of our risk management activities. The Board’s oversight of the material risks faced by Kroger occurs at both the full Board level and at the committee level.

The Board receives presentations throughout the year from various department and business unit leaders that include discussion of significant risks as necessary. At each Board meeting, the Chairman and CEO addresses matters of particular importance or concern, including any significant areas of risk that require Board attention. Additionally, through dedicated sessions focusing entirely on corporate strategy, the full Board reviews in detail Kroger’s short- and long-term strategies, including consideration of significant risks facing Kroger and their potential impact. The independent directors, in executive sessions led by the Lead Director, address matters of particular concern, including significant areas of risk, that warrant further discussion or consideration outside the presence of Kroger employees. At the committee level, reports are given by management subject matter experts to each committee on risks within the scope of their charters.

The Audit Committee has oversight responsibility not only for financial reporting of Kroger’s major financial exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control those exposures, but also for the effectiveness of management’s processes that monitor and manage key business risks facing Kroger, as well as the major areas of risk exposure, and management’s efforts to monitor and control the major areas of risk exposure including cybersecurity risk. The Audit Committee incorporates its risk oversight function into its regular reports to the Board and also discusses with management its policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

Management provides regular updates throughout the year to the respective Board committees regarding management of the risks they oversee. For example, our Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer provides regular updates to the Audit Committee on our compliance risks and actions taken to mitigate that risk; and our Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer and our Chief Information Security Officer provide regular updates on our cybersecurity risks and actions taken to mitigate that risk to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reports on risk to the full Board at each regular meeting of the Board.

We believe that our approach to risk oversight, as described above, optimizes our ability to assess inter-relationships among the various risks, make informed cost-benefit decisions, and approach emerging risks in a proactive manner for Kroger. We also believe that our risk structure complements our current Board leadership structure, as it allows our independent directors, through the five fully independent Board committees, and in executive sessions of independent directors led by the Lead Director, to exercise effective oversight of the actions of management, led by Mr. McMullen as Chairman and CEO, in identifying risks and implementing effective risk management policies and controls.

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Director Compensation

2018 Director Compensation

The following table describes the 2018 compensation for non-employee directors. Mr. McMullen does not receive compensation for his Board service.

Name
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
Stock
Awards(1)
Option
Awards(2)
Change in Pension
Value
And Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Earnings(3)
Total
Nora A. Aufreiter
$
87,692
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
$
0
 
$
263,313
 
Robert D. Beyer
$
104,005
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
$
11,117
 
$
290,743
 
Anne Gates
$
112,400
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
288,021
 
Susan J. Kropf
$
87,692
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
263,313
 
Jorge P. Montoya
$
102,647
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
278,268
 
Clyde R. Moore
$
107,636
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
$
10,311
 
$
293,568
 
James A. Runde
$
102,647
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
278,268
 
Ronald L. Sargent
$
136,752
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
$
3,688
 
$
316,061
 
Bobby S. Shackouls
$
97,663
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
$
273,284
 
Mark S. Sutton
$
97,663
 
$
175,621
 
 
 
 
 
$
273,284
 
Ashok Vemuri(4)
$
8,036
 
$
87,508
 
 
 
 
 
$
95,544
 
(1)Amounts reported in the Stock Awards column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the annual incentive share award, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. On July 12, 2018, each non-employee director then serving received 6,261 incentive shares with a grant date fair value of $175,621. Mr. Vemuri received a prorated award of 3,048 shares with a grant date fair value of $87,508 on January 24, 2019 when he joined the Board.
(2)Options are no longer granted to non-employee directors. The aggregate number of previously granted stock options that remained unexercised and outstanding at fiscal year-end was as follows: Mr. Shackouls held 7,800 options and Messrs. Beyer, Montoya, Moore, Runde, and Sargent and Ms. Kropf each held 52,000 options.
(3)The amounts reported for Mr. Beyer and Mr. Sargent represent preferential earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation. For a complete explanation of preferential earnings, please refer to footnote 5 to the Summary Compensation Table. The amount reported for Mr. Moore represents the change in actuarial present value of his accumulated benefit under the pension plan for non-employee directors. Pension values may fluctuate significantly from year to year depending on a number of factors, including age, average annual earnings, and the assumptions used to determine the present value, such as the discount rate. The increase in the actuarial present value of his accumulated pension benefit for 2018 is primarily due to additional benefit accruals but offset by the increase in the discount rate and mortality project scale updates.
(4)Because Mr. Vemuri was appointed to the Board on January 24, 2019, he received a prorated cash retainer.

Annual Compensation

Each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of $90,000. The Lead Director receives an additional annual retainer of $37,500 per year; the members of the Audit Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000; the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $25,000; the Chair of Compensation Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $20,000; and the Chair of each of the other committees receive an additional annual retainer of $15,000, Each non-employee director also receives an annual grant of incentive shares (Kroger common shares) with a value of approximately $175,000.

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The Board has determined that compensation of non-employee directors must be competitive on an ongoing basis to attract and retain directors who meet the qualifications for service on the Board. Non-employee director compensation was adjusted in 2018 and will be reviewed from time to time as the Corporate Governance Committee deems appropriate.

Pension Plan

Non-employee directors first elected prior to July 17, 1997 receive an unfunded retirement benefit equal to the average cash compensation for the five calendar years preceding retirement. Only Mr. Moore is eligible for this benefit. Benefits begin at the later of actual retirement or age 65.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We also maintain a deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors. Participants may defer up to 100% of their cash compensation and/or the receipt of all (and not less than all) of the annual award of incentive shares.

Cash Deferrals

Cash deferrals are credited to a participant’s deferred compensation account. Participants may elect from either or both of the following two alternative methods of determining benefits:

interest accrues until paid out at the rate of interest determined prior to the beginning of the deferral year to represent Kroger’s cost of ten-year debt; and/or
amounts are credited in “phantom” stock accounts and the amounts in those accounts fluctuate with the price of Kroger common shares.

In both cases, deferred amounts are paid out only in cash, based on deferral options selected by the participant at the time the deferral elections are made. Participants can elect to have distributions made in a lump sum or in quarterly installments, and may make comparable elections for designated beneficiaries who receive benefits in the event that deferred compensation is not completely paid out upon the death of the participant.

Incentive Share Deferrals

Participants may also defer the receipt of all (and not less than all) of the annual award of incentive shares. Distributions will be made by delivery of Kroger common shares within 30 days after the date which is six months after the participant’s separation of service.

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Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock

The following table sets forth the common shares beneficially owned as of April 1, 2019 by Kroger’s directors, the NEOs, and the directors and executive officers as a group. The percentage of ownership is based on 798,332,967 of Kroger common shares outstanding on April 1, 2019. Shares reported as beneficially owned include shares held indirectly through Kroger’s defined contribution plans and other shares held indirectly, as well as shares subject to stock options exercisable on or before May 31, 2019. Except as otherwise noted, each beneficial owner listed in the table has sole voting and investment power with regard to the common shares beneficially owned by such owner.

Name
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership(1)
(a)
Options Exercisable
on or before
May 31,
2019 – included
in column (a)
(b)
Nora A. Aufreiter(2)
 
25,879
 
 
 
Robert D. Beyer(2)
 
185,998
 
 
52,000
 
Robert W. Clark
 
413,471
 
 
217,807
 
Michael J. Donnelly
 
710,584
 
 
370,667
 
Anne Gates(2)
 
20,548
 
 
 
Christopher T. Hjelm
 
618,933
 
 
352,504
 
Susan J. Kropf
 
140,171
 
 
52,000
 
W. Rodney McMullen
 
4,269,645
 
 
1,481,750
 
Jorge P. Montoya(3)
 
109,079
 
 
52,000
 
Clyde R. Moore
 
158,571
 
 
52,000
 
James A. Runde
 
164,613
 
 
52,000
 
Ronald L. Sargent(2)
 
171,921
 
 
52,000
 
J. Michael Schlotman
 
872,796
 
 
587,159
 
Bobby S. Shackouls(2)
 
87,906
 
 
7,800
 
Mark S. Sutton(2)
 
16,041
 
 
 
Ashok Vemuri
 
3,048
 
 
 
Directors and executive officers as a group (29 persons, including those named above)
 
10,677,615
 
 
4,457,326
 
(1)No director or officer owned as much as 1% of Kroger common shares. The directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned 1.34% of Kroger common shares.
(2)This amount includes incentive share awards that were deferred under the deferred compensation plan for independent directors in the following amounts: Ms. Aufreiter, 9,225; Mr. Beyer, 7,198; Ms. Gates, 7,488; Mr. Sargent, 30,261; Mr. Shackouls, 30,261; Mr. Sutton, 6,350.
(3)This amount includes 22,000 shares held in Mr. Montoya’s trust. He disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial owners of more than five percent of Kroger common shares as of April 1, 2019 based on reports on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC.

Name
Address
Amount and Nature
of Ownership
Percentage
of Class
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd St.
New York, NY 10055
 
57,852,610 (1
) 
 
7.30
%
Vanguard Group Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
 
68,141,855 (2
) 
 
8.54
%

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(1)Reflects beneficial ownership by BlackRock Inc., as of December 31, 2018, as reported on Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2019, reporting sole voting power with respect to 49,985,270 common shares, and sole dispositive power with regard to 57,852,610 common shares.
(2)Reflects beneficial ownership by Vanguard Group Inc. as of December 31, 2018, as reported on Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019, reporting sole voting power with respect to 929,753 common shares, shared voting power with respect to 203,972 common shares, sole dispositive power of 67,029,453 common shares, and shared dispositive power of 1,112,402 common shares.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers and directors, and certain persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common shares, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish us with copies of those reports.

Based solely on our review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 received by Kroger, and written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5 was required for that person, we believe that during 2018 all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners were timely satisfied.

Related Person Transactions

The Board has adopted a written policy requiring that any Related Person Transaction may be consummated or continue only if the Audit Committee approves or ratifies the transaction in accordance with the policy. A “Related Person Transaction” is one (a) involving Kroger, (b) in which one of our directors, nominees for director, executive officers, or greater than five percent shareholders, or their immediate family members, have a direct or indirect material interest; and (c) the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in a fiscal year.

The Audit Committee will approve only those Related Person Transactions that are in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of Kroger and its shareholders, as determined by the Audit Committee in good faith in accordance with its business judgment. No director may participate in any review, approval or ratification of any transaction if he or she, or an immediate family member, has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction.

Where a Related Person Transaction will be ongoing, the Audit Committee may establish guidelines for management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related person and the Audit Committee will review and assess the relationship on an annual basis to ensure it complies with such guidelines and that the Related Person Transaction remains appropriate.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Named Executive Officers

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides a discussion and analysis of our compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”). For the 2018 fiscal year ended February 2, 2019, the NEOs were:

Name
Title
W. Rodney McMullen
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
J. Michael Schlotman
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Donnelly
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Christopher T. Hjelm
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Robert W. Clark
Senior Vice President

Summary of Key Compensation Practices

What we do:
What we do not do:
✔   Align pay and performance
   
✔   Significant share ownership guidelines of 5x salary
      for our CEO
   
✔   Multiple performance metrics under our short- and
      long-term performance-based plans discourage
      excessive risk taking
   
✔   Balance between short-term and long-term
      compensation to discourage short-term risk taking
      at the expense of long-term results
   
✔   Engagement of an independent compensation
      consultant
   
✔   Robust clawback policy
   
✔   Ban on hedging, pledging and short sales of Kroger
      securities
   
✔   Limited perquisites
✘   No employment contracts with executives
   
✘   No special severance or change in control
      programs applicable only to executive officers
   
✘   No tax gross-up payments for executives
   
✘   No re-pricing or backdating of options
   
✘   No guaranteed salary increases or bonuses
   
✘   No payment of dividends or dividend equivalents
      until performance units are earned
   
✘   No single-trigger cash severance benefits upon a
      change in control

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Summary of Fixed and At-Risk Pay Elements

The fixed and at-risk pay elements of NEO compensation are reflected in the following table and charts.


The amounts used in the charts below are based on the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for 2018, excluding the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column.

CEO
CEO
CEO



86% of CEO pay is At Risk
82% of CEO pay is Long-Term
63% of CEO pay is Equity

   

Average of Other NEOs
Average of Other NEOs
Average of Other NEOs



83% of Other NEO pay is At Risk
78% of Other NEO pay is Long-Term
59% of Other NEO pay is Equity

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Realignment of Performance-Based Pay to Restock Kroger for 2018 and Beyond

Restock Kroger

In October 2017, we announced Restock Kroger, our plan to redefine the food and grocery customer experience in America and to create value for our shareholders. We developed the plan because, though we are proud of our long history of success and our strengths, we recognize that what got us here will not get us where we want to be in the future. Restock Kroger has four main drivers:

1.Redefine the Food and Grocery Customer Experience: Focus on data and personalization, digital, space optimization, Our Brands, and smart pricing
2.Expand Partnerships to Create Customer Value: Focus on front end transformation, technology innovation, cost reduction, and alternative profit streams
3.Develop Talent: Accelerate high-performance leadership culture through future talent development, training, and a rebalancing of pay and benefits
4.Live Kroger’s Purpose: Meet Zero Hunger | Zero Waste targets and achieve 2020 sustainability goals

The three-year Restock Kroger plan is fueled by capital investments, cost savings, and Restock cash flow.1 As a result of our plan, over the three-year time period 2018 – 2020, we expect to generate:

$400 million in incremental FIFO operating profit, and
$6.5 billion of Restock cash flow before dividends.

We have prioritized our estimated $9 billion in capital investments to support Restock Kroger over the three-year time period. We are looking first for sales-driving and cost-savings opportunities across both brick-and-mortar and digital platforms; followed by investments in logistics and technology platforms; and finally, capital for storing activity.2

Our Compensation Committee is Focused on Pay for Performance

The Compensation Committee has long maintained a strong pay for performance philosophy. Compensation must align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of our shareholders and must create incentives to achieve the annual business plan targets and longer term company objectives.

We implemented a long-term performance-based bonus program available to Kroger executives at the level of Vice President and above more than ten years ago, and the metrics were tailored to our long-term measures at that time. As our business objectives have shifted, the Compensation Committee is focused on ensuring performance metrics are aligned with our long-term strategy.

Our Long-Term Compensation Program: Align with Restock Kroger

We made new commitments to shareholders on a three-year time horizon under Restock Kroger. We believe that the success of Restock Kroger depends on the focused attention of our leadership team and associates on the goals of Restock Kroger and that it is essential to implement new performance metrics that mirror these new commitments. Accordingly, in 2018, we made changes to our program to align with Restock Kroger.

Our 2018 three-year long-term plan (2018 – 2020) has performance metrics tied entirely to Restock Kroger goals: Restock cash flow and cost savings included in FIFO operating profit growth, with a return on invested capital modifier. We implemented a metric based on the cost savings imbedded in the achievement of operating profit growth, because cost savings is essential to fund the strategic projects that will produce the operating profit growth. We believe it is a more meaningful metric than operating profit growth itself, because it forces us to focus on the savings that we need to support sustainable incremental operating profit growth.

Since we grant a new three-year long-term incentive plan each year, at any one time, there are three outstanding plans. Because the 2016-2018 and 2017-2019 long term plans were mid-cycle, we felt strongly that we should focus on Restock Kroger metrics rather than having competing priorities. As a result, in setting 2018

1 Restock cash flow is an adjusted free cash flow measure calculated as net cash provided by operating activities minus net cash used by investing activities plus or minus adjustments for certain items.

2 For important risk, uncertainties and other factors relating to these forward-looking statements, see the Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K that accompanies this proxy statement.

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compensation, the Compensation Committee determined that the metrics of the two mid-cycle plans should be modified to align with Restock Kroger and the payouts for the then current NEOs should be addressed as described below.

For the outstanding 2016 – 2018 long-term plan, fiscal year 2016 and 2017 performance was measured on the pre-existing plan metrics and was applied to two-thirds of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts. Fiscal year 2018 performance was measured on the Restock Kroger metrics of Restock cash flow and savings included in FIFO operating profit growth, and was applied to one-third of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts.

Similarly, for the outstanding 2017 – 2019 long-term plan, fiscal year 2017 performance will be measured on the pre-existing plan metrics and will be applied to one-third of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts. Fiscal year 2018 and 2019 performance will be measured on the Restock Kroger metrics of Restock cash flow and cost savings included in FIFO operating profit growth, and will be applied to two-thirds of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts.

With respect to the mid-cycle plans for the then current NEOs, we did not adjust the cash bonus potentials or re-issue previously issued performance unit grants, we did not allow the re-earning of cash and performance units that were not earned in the completed year(s) of the outstanding plans, and we did not change the timing of the payout under the outstanding plans. Mr. Clark, who was not a named executive officer at the time the 2016 plan was modified, was eligible for a different plan as described below. These plan updates are illustrated below.


Our Annual Cash Bonus Program: Based on Meeting Financial Goals

We also redesigned the performance-based annual cash bonus plan to better align with our financial goals of Restock Kroger and to simplify the way we reward our associates. The 2018 annual plan had the following metrics:

1.ID supermarket sales
2.Earnings per share
3.Kroger Way Plans – strategic business plans that support Restock Kroger

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To further support the cost saving focus of Restock Kroger, for any payout under the Kroger Way Plans metric, the Company must have met its cost savings goals for 2018.

Our Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

As one of the largest retailers in the world, our executive compensation philosophy is to attract and retain the best management talent as well as motivate these employees to achieve our business and financial goals. Kroger’s incentive plans are designed to reward the actions that lead to long-term value creation. The Compensation Committee believes that there is a strong link between our business strategy, the performance metrics in our short-term and long-term incentive programs, and the business results that drive shareholder value.

We believe our strategy creates value for shareholders in a manner consistent with our core purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit.

To achieve our objectives, the Compensation Committee seeks to ensure that compensation is competitive and that there is a direct link between pay and performance. To do so, it is guided by the following principles:

A significant portion of pay should be performance-based, with the percentage of total pay tied to performance increasing proportionally with an NEO’s level of responsibility.
Compensation should include incentive-based pay to drive performance, providing superior pay for superior performance, including both a short- and long-term focus.
Compensation policies should include an opportunity for, and a requirement of, equity ownership to align the interests of NEOs and shareholders.
Components of compensation should be tied to an evaluation of business and individual performance measured against metrics that directly drive our business strategy.

The Compensation Committee has three related objectives regarding compensation:

First, the Compensation Committee believes that compensation must be designed to attract and retain those individuals who are best suited to be an officer at Kroger.
Second, a majority of compensation should help align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of our shareholders.
Third, compensation should create strong incentives for the NEOs to achieve the annual business plan targets established by the Board, and to achieve Kroger’s long-term strategic objectives.

Components of Executive Compensation at Kroger

Compensation for our NEOs is comprised of the following:

Annual Compensation:
Salary
Performance-Based Annual Cash Bonus
Long-Term Compensation:
Performance-Based Long-Term Incentive Plan (consisting of a long-term cash bonus and performance units)
Non-qualified stock options
Restricted stock
Retirement and other benefits
Limited perquisites

The annual and long-term performance-based compensation awards described herein were made pursuant to our 2014 Long-Term Incentive and Cash Bonus Plan, which was approved by our shareholders in 2014.

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Annual Compensation – Salary

Our philosophy with respect to salary is to provide a sufficient and stable source of fixed cash compensation. All of our compensation cannot be at-risk or long-term. It is important to provide a meaningful annual salary to attract and retain a high caliber leadership team, and to have an appropriate level of cash compensation that is not variable.

Salaries for the NEOs (with the exception of the CEO) are established each year by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the CEO. The CEO’s salary is established by all of the independent directors. Salaries for the NEOs were reviewed in June of 2018.

The amount of each NEO’s salary is influenced by numerous factors including:

An assessment of individual contribution in the judgment of the CEO and the Compensation Committee (or, in the case of the CEO, of the Compensation Committee and the independent directors);
Benchmarking with comparable positions at peer group companies;
Tenure in role; and
Relationship to other Kroger executives’ salaries.

The assessment of individual contribution is a qualitative determination, based on the following factors:

Leadership;
Contribution to the officer group;
Achievement of established objectives;
Decision-making abilities;
Performance of the areas or groups directly reporting to the NEO;
Increased responsibilities;
Strategic thinking; and
Furtherance of Kroger’s core values.

Annual Compensation – Performance-Based Annual Cash Bonus

The NEOs participate in a performance-based annual cash bonus plan. The amount of annual cash bonus that the NEOs earn each year is based upon Kroger’s performance compared to goals established by the Compensation Committee and the independent directors based on the business plan adopted by the Board of Directors. A minimum level of performance must be achieved before any payouts are earned, while a payout of up to 200% of target bonus potential can be achieved for superior performance. There are no guaranteed or minimum payouts; if none of the performance goals are achieved, then none of the bonus is earned and no payout is made.

The annual cash bonus plan is designed to encourage decisions and behavior that drive the annual operating results and the long-term success of the Company. Kroger’s success is based on a combination of factors, and accordingly the Compensation Committee believes that it is important to encourage behavior that supports multiple elements of our business strategy.

Establishing Annual Cash Bonus Potentials

The Compensation Committee establishes annual cash bonus potentials for each NEO, other than the CEO, whose annual cash bonus potential is established by the independent directors. Actual payouts represent the extent to which performance meets or exceeds the goals established by the Compensation Committee. Actual payouts may be as low as zero if performance does not meet the goals established by the Compensation Committee or as high as 200% of the potential bonus amount if the performance far exceeds these pre-established goals.

The Compensation Committee considers multiple factors in making its determination or recommendation as to annual cash bonus potentials:

The individual’s level within the organization, as the Compensation Committee believes that more senior executives should have a more substantial part of their compensation dependent upon Kroger’s performance;

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The individual’s salary, as the Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of a NEO’s total cash compensation should be dependent upon Kroger’s performance;
The individual’s level in the organization and the internal relationship of annual cash bonus potentials within Kroger;
Individual performance;
The recommendation of the CEO for the other NEOs; and
The compensation consultant’s benchmarking report regarding annual cash bonus potential and total compensation awarded by our peer group.

2018 Annual Cash Bonus Plan Metrics

The annual cash bonus plan is a broad-based plan used across the Kroger enterprise. Approximately 41,000 associates receive bonus payouts based all or in part on the bonus plan described below. The 2018 annual cash bonus plan had the following measurable performance metrics, all of which are interconnected:

Metric
Weight
Rationale for Use
ID Supermarket Sales
Combined 67%, based on a grid
ID Supermarket Sales represent sales, without fuel, at our supermarkets that have been open without expansion or relocation for five full quarters.
 
We believe this is the best measure of the real growth of our supermarket sales across the enterprise. A key driver of our model is strong ID Supermarket Sales; it is the engine that fuels our growth.
Earnings Per Share
In previous years, we used Net Operating Profit as a performance metric as it allowed us to evaluate our earnings from operating the business; we cannot achieve solid Net Operating Profit without a strong operating model.
 
During the first year of Restock Kroger, our business plan anticipated a reduction in Net Operating Profit, so we substituted Earnings per Share for the 2018 annual bonus plan to better motivate our associates across the enterprise to increase this measure of earnings growth as Earnings Per Share were expected to grow in 2018.
Kroger Way Plans
33%
Each major business line and department created a Kroger Way Plan – a strategic business plan to directly support one of the four pillars of Restock Kroger.
 
 
Each proprietary Kroger Way Plan outlines both the resource allocation and the return commitment for that plan. Combined, these plans form the basis for achieving the three-year Restock Kroger commitments.
 
 
Because cost savings is foundational to the success of Restock Kroger, no payout can be earned under the Kroger Way Plan metric without the Company achieving 2018 cost savings of $950 million – regardless of the extent of the progress on the Kroger Way Plans.
Total of 3 Metrics
100%
 
 

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Results of 2018 Annual Cash Bonus Plan

The 2018 goals established by the Compensation Committee, the actual 2018 results, and the bonus percentage earned for each of the performance metrics of the 2018 annual cash bonus plan were as follows:

Payout Matrix
ID Supermarket Sales
ID Sales and EPS for
2018 Fiscal Year
1%
1.65%
2%
3%
 
$
1.73
 
0%
1.3 %
2%
4%
EPS
$
1.90
 
10%
50 %
75%
100%
 
$
2.06
 
50%
100 %
125%
175%
 
$
2.11
 
75%
125 %
150%
200%
Performance Metrics
Result
Payout
Percentage
(A)
Weight
(B)
Amount
Earned
(A) x (B)
ID Sales/EPS
ID Sales = 1.22%
EPS = $2.11
 
91.76
%1
 
67
%
 
61.48
%
Kroger Way Plans
(2)
 
90
%
 
33
%
 
29.71
%
Total Earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
91.18
%
(1)See grid above.
(2)The Company achieved cost savings of $1.10 billion, which is an amount in excess of the savings threshold of $950 million. Because the threshold was achieved, it was possible to earn a payout on this metric. The Kroger Way Plan measures were approved by the Compensation Committee but are not disclosed as they are competitively sensitive.

Following the close of the year, the Compensation Committee reviewed Kroger’s performance against each of the metrics outlined above and determined the extent to which Kroger achieved those objectives. Due to our performance when compared to the goals established by the Compensation Committee, the payout on the 2018 annual bonus was 91.18% of the participant’s bonus potential.

In 2018, as in all years, the Compensation Committee retained discretion to reduce the annual cash bonus payout for all executive officers, including the NEOs, if the Compensation Committee determined for any reason that the bonus payouts were not appropriate given their assessment of Company performance – however, no adjustments were made in 2018 that affected NEO bonuses. The independent directors retained that discretion for the CEO’s bonus. The Compensation Committee and the independent directors also retained discretion to adjust the goals for each metric under the plan should unanticipated developments arise during the year.

The actual annual cash bonus percentage payout for 2018 reflects strong performance on adjusted earnings per share and performance below business plan objectives on identical supermarket sales. The strong link between pay and performance is illustrated by a comparison of earned amounts under our annual cash bonus plan in previous years, such as 2009, 2016, and 2017, when payouts were particularly low. In those years, we failed to achieve many of our business plan objectives. A comparison of actual annual cash bonus percentage payouts this year and in prior years demonstrates the variability of annual cash bonus incentive compensation and its strong link to our performance:

Fiscal Year
  
Annual Cash Bonus
Payout Percentage
2018
 
 
 
 
91.2
%
2017
 
 
 
 
3.8
%
2016
 
 
 
 
19.9
%
2015
 
 
 
 
126.7
%
2014
 
 
 
 
121.5
%
2013
 
 
 
 
104.9
%
2012
 
 
 
 
85.9
%
2011
 
 
 
 
138.7
%
2010
 
 
 
 
53.9
%
2009
 
 
 
 
38.5
%
2008
 
 
 
 
104.9
%

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As described above, the annual cash bonus payout percentage is applied to each NEO’s bonus potential, which is determined by the Compensation Committee, and the independent directors in the case of the CEO. The actual amounts of performance-based annual cash bonuses paid to the NEOs for 2018 are reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column and footnote 3 to that table.

Long-Term Compensation

The Compensation Committee believes in the importance of providing an incentive to the NEOs to achieve the long-term goals established by the Board. As such, a majority of compensation is conditioned on the achievement of the Company’s long-term goals and is delivered via four long-term compensation vehicles: long-term cash bonus, performance units, stock options, and restricted stock. Long-term compensation promotes long-term value creation and discourages the over-emphasis of attaining short-term goals at the expense of long-term growth.

The Compensation Committee considers several factors in determining the target value of long-term compensation awarded to the NEOs or, in the case of the CEO, recommending to the independent directors the amount awarded. These factors include:

Individual performance;
The NEO’s level in the organization and the internal relationship of long-term compensation awards within Kroger;
The compensation consultant’s benchmarking report regarding long-term compensation awarded by our peer group; and
The recommendation of the CEO, for the other NEOs.

Long-term incentives are structured to be a combination of performance- and time-based compensation that reflects elements of financial and common shares performance to provide both retention value and alignment with company performance. Long-term cash bonus and performance unit payouts are contingent on the achievement of certain strategic performance and financial measures and incentivize recipients to promote long-term value creation and enhance shareholder wealth by supporting the Company’s long-term strategic goals. Stock options and restricted stock are linked to common shares performance creating alignment between the NEOs and our shareholders’ interests. Options have no initial value and recipients only realize benefits if the value of our common shares increases following the date of grant.

A majority of long-term compensation is equity-based (performance units, stock options, and restricted stock) and is tied to the future value of our common shares, further aligning the interests of our NEOs with our shareholders. All four components of long-term compensation are intended to focus executive behaviors on our long-term strategy. Each component is described in more detail below.

Amounts of long-term compensation awards issued and outstanding for the NEOs are set forth in the Executive Compensation Tables section.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Design

In recent years, we have adopted a new Long-Term Incentive Plan each year, which provides for overlapping three-year performance periods. The Long-Term Incentive Plans adopted in 2016 and 2017, which consist of a performance-based long-term cash bonus and performance units, have the following characteristics:

The long-term cash bonus potential is equal to the participant’s salary at the end of the fiscal year preceding the plan effective date (or for those participants entering the plan after the commencement date, the date of eligibility for the plan).
In addition, a fixed number of performance units based on level and individual performance is awarded to each participant at the beginning of the performance period (or for those participants entering the plan after the commencement date, the date of eligibility for the plan). The earned awards are paid out in Kroger common shares based on actual performance, along with a cash amount equal to the dividends paid during the performance period on the number of issued common shares ultimately earned.
The actual long-term cash bonus and number of performance units earned are each determined based on our performance against the metrics established by the Compensation Committee (the independent directors, for the CEO) at the beginning of the performance period.

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Performance at the end of the three-year period is measured against the baseline of each performance metric established at the beginning of the performance period.
The payout percentage, based on the extent to which the performance metrics are achieved, is applied to both the long-term cash bonus potential and the number of performance units awarded.
Actual payouts cannot exceed 100% of the long-term cash bonus potential or 100% of the number of performance units awarded.

The Compensation Committee anticipates adopting a new Long-Term Incentive Plan each year, measuring improvement over successive three-year periods

2016 and 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan Metrics

The following table summarizes the metrics applied to fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and the payout percentages:

Metric
Rationale for Use
Customer 1st Strategy
Kroger’s Customer 1st Strategy is the focus, in our decision-making, on the customer. This proprietary metric measures the improvement in how Kroger is perceived by customers in each of People, Products, Shopping Experience and Price.
 
4% payout per unit of improvement.
Improvement in Associate Engagement
Kroger measures associate engagement in an annual survey of associates.
4% payout per unit of improvement.
Reduction in Operating Costs(1) as a Percentage of Sales, without Fuel
An essential part of Kroger’s model is to increase productivity and efficiency, and to take costs out of the business in a sustainable way.
0.50% payout per 0.01% reduction in operating costs.
ROIC(2)
Part of our long-term growth strategy is to make substantial capital investments over time. This measure is intended to hold executives accountable for the returns on the capital investments.
 
1% payout per 0.01% improvement in ROIC.
(1)Operating Costs is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as the sum of (i) operating, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and rent expense, without fuel, and (ii) warehouse and transportation costs, shrink, and advertising expenses, for our supermarket operations, without fuel. Operating costs will exclude one-time expenses incurred in lieu of future anticipated obligations. Future expenses that are avoided by virtue of the incurrence of the one-time expense will be deemed to be total operating costs in the year in which they otherwise would have been incurred.
(2)Return on invested capital is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated by dividing adjusted operating profit for the prior four quarters by the average invested capital. Adjusted operating profit is calculated by excluding certain items included in operating profit, and adding our last-in, first out (“LIFO”) charge, depreciation and amortization, and rent. Average invested capital will be calculated as the sum of (i) the average of our total assets, (ii) the average LIFO reserve, (iii) the average accumulated depreciation and amortization, and (iv) a rent factor equal to total rent for the last four quarters multiplied by a factor of eight; minus (i) the average taxes receivable, (ii) the average trade accounts payable, (iii) the average accrued salaries and wages, and (iv) the average other current liabilities, excluding accrued income taxes.

As described above, under “Realignment of Performance-Based Pay to Restock Kroger for 2018 and Beyond” the metrics listed above for the 2016 and 2017 plans will be used to measure performance through 2017 and will be applied to the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus targets on a prorated basis. Performance for 2018 and 2019 will be measured on the Restock Kroger metrics of free cash flow and cost savings included in FIFO operating profit growth and will also be applied to bonus targets on a prorated basis.

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Results of 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan

The 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which measured performance over the three-year period from 2016 to 2018, paid out in March 2019. The 2016 plan was modified during 2018 as described above with respect to the then current named executive officers and was calculated in two parts as follows:

Part 1: Fiscal year 2016 and 2017 performance was measured on the existing plan metrics and was applied to two-thirds of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts.

Metric
Baseline
Result
Improvement
(A)
Payout per
Improvement
(B)
Percentage
Earned
(A) x (B)
Customer 1st Strategy(1)
*
*
No improvement
 
4.0
%
 
0.0
%
Improvement in Associate Engagement(1)
*
*
No improvement
 
4.0
%
 
0.0
%
Reduction in Operating Cost as a Percentage of Sales, without Fuel
26.16%
26.95%
No improvement
 
0.5
%
 
0.0
%
Return on Invested Capital
13.73%
11.14%
No improvement
 
1.0
%
 
0.0
%
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.0
%
(1)The Customer 1st Strategy and Improvement in Associate Engagement components were established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the performance period, but are not disclosed as they are competitively sensitive.

Part 2: Fiscal year 2018 performance was measured on the Restock Kroger metrics of Restock cash flow and savings included in FIFO operating profit growth, with each metric accounting for 50% of the payout. The payout percentage was applied to one-third of the previously granted cash and performance unit bonus target amounts.

 
Cut in = 50%
Payout
Goal = 100%
Payout
Result
Payout
Percentage
Weight
Payout
Amount
Savings included in FIFO operating profit growth
$
0.950B
 
$
1.016B
 
$
1.100B
 
 
100
%
 
50
%
 
50
%
Cumulative Free Cash Flow
$
1.200B
 
$
1.860B
 
$
1.907B
 
 
100
%
 
50
%
 
50
%
Total Payout
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100
%

Accordingly, no payout was earned on 2/3rds of the bonus target and 100% payout was earned on 1/3rd of the bonus target, resulting in a 33% overall payout. The then current NEOs received long-term cash bonus payments in an amount equal to 33% of that executive’s long-term cash bonus potential and were issued the number of Kroger common shares equal to 33% of the number of performance units awarded to that executive, along with a cash amount equal to the dividends paid on that number of common shares during the three year performance period. Mr. Clark, who was not a named executive officer at the time the 2016 plan was modified, received a 0% payment with respect to 2016 and 2017 performance and received a 100% payout with respect to 2018 performance on the full amount of his bonus target. The cash payout and dividends paid on common shares earned under the 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and “All Other Compensation” columns of the Summary Compensation Table and footnotes 4 and 5 to that table, respectively, and the common shares issued under the plan are reported in the 2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table and footnote 2 to that table.

2018-2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan Design

The Long-Term Incentive Plan adopted in 2018, which consists of a performance-based long-term cash bonus and performance units, has the following characteristics:

The long-term cash bonus potential is set by the Compensation Committee, and the independent directors in the case of the CEO.
In addition, a fixed number of performance units is awarded to each participant at the beginning of a three (3) year performance period (or for those participants entering the plan after the commencement date, the date of eligibility for the plan). The earned awards are paid out in Kroger common shares based on actual performance, along with a cash amount equal to the dividends paid during the performance period on the number of issued common shares ultimately earned.

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The actual long-term cash bonus and number of performance units earned are each determined based on our performance against the metrics established by the Compensation Committee (the independent directors, for the CEO) at the beginning of the performance period.
The payout percentage, based on the extent to which the performance metrics are achieved, is applied to both the long-term cash bonus potential and the number of performance units awarded.
Actual payouts cannot exceed 120% of the long-term cash bonus potential or number of performance units awarded.

Each of the following plan components account for 50% of the potential payout.

Plan Component
2018-2020
Cumulative Savings Included in Net Operating Profit Growth
Cut in = 50% payout
$3.0B
Goal = 100% payout
$4.450B
Cumulative Free Cash Flow
Cut in = 50% payout
$4.875B
Goal = 100% payout
$6.5B

After the calculation of the two metrics above, a Return on Invested Capital multiplier is applied, as follows:

ROIC Modifier Component
ROIC Results
Payout Modifier
Less than 12.24%
 
80
%
12.24% - 12.44%
 
100
%
Greater than 12.44%
 
120
%

Stock Options and Restricted Stock

Stock options and restricted stock continue to play an important role in rewarding NEOs for the achievement of long-term business objectives and providing incentives for the creation of shareholder value. Awards based on Kroger’s common shares are granted annually to the NEOs and a large number of other employees. Kroger historically has distributed time-based equity awards widely, aligning the interests of employees with your interest as shareholders.

The options permit the holder to purchase Kroger common shares at an option price equal to the closing price of Kroger common shares on the date of the grant. Options are granted only on one of the four dates of Board meetings conducted after Kroger’s public release of its quarterly earnings results.

The Compensation Committee determines the vesting schedule for stock options and restricted stock. During 2018, the Compensation Committee granted to the NEOs stock options and restricted stock, each with a four-year vesting schedule, with the exception of a restricted stock grant awarded to Mr. Clark, which vests 25% on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date and 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date.

As discussed below under Stock Ownership Guidelines, covered individuals, including the NEOs, must hold 100% of common shares issued pursuant to performance units earned, the shares received upon the exercise of stock options or upon the vesting of restricted stock, except those necessary to pay the exercise price of the options and/or applicable taxes, until applicable stock ownership guidelines are met, unless the disposition is approved in advance by the CEO, or by the Board or Compensation Committee for the CEO.

Retirement and Other Benefits

Kroger maintains several defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans for its employees. The NEOs participate in one or more of these plans, as well as one or more excess plans designed to make up the shortfall in retirement benefits created by limitations under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) on benefits to highly compensated individuals under qualified plans. Additional details regarding certain retirement benefits available to the NEOs can be found below in footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table and the 2018 Pension Benefits Table and the accompanying narrative.

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Kroger also maintains an executive deferred compensation plan in which some of the NEOs participate. This plan is a nonqualified plan under which participants can elect to defer up to 100% of their cash compensation each year. Additional details regarding our nonqualified deferred compensation plans available to the NEOs can be found below in the 2018 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table and the accompanying narrative.

Kroger also maintains The Kroger Co. Employee Protection Plan (“KEPP”), which covers all of our management employees who are classified as exempt under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and certain administrative or technical support personnel who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, with at least one year of service. KEPP provides for severance benefits and extended Kroger-paid health care, as well as the continuation of other benefits as described in the plan, when an employee is actually or constructively terminated without cause within two years following a “change in control” of Kroger (as defined in KEPP). Participants are entitled to severance pay of up to 24 months’ salary and target annual bonus. The actual amount is dependent upon pay level and years of service. KEPP can be amended or terminated by the Board at any time prior to a change in control.

Performance-based long-term cash bonus, performance unit, stock option, and restricted stock agreements with award recipients provide that those awards “vest,” with 50% of the long-term cash bonus potential being paid, common shares equal to 50% of the performance units being awarded, options becoming immediately exercisable, and restrictions on restricted stock lapsing upon a change in control as described in the grant agreements.

None of the NEOs are party to an employment agreement.

Perquisites

Our NEOs receive limited perquisites because the Compensation Committee does not believe that it is necessary for the attraction or retention of management talent to provide executives a substantial amount of compensation in the form of perquisites. In 2018, some NEOs received premiums paid on life insurance policies. Further details on these benefits can be found in footnote 6 to the Summary Compensation Table.

Process for Establishing Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee of the Board has the primary responsibility for establishing the compensation of our executive officers, including the NEOs, with the exception of the CEO. The Compensation Committee’s role regarding the CEO’s compensation is to make recommendations to the independent members of the Board; those members of the Board establish the CEO’s compensation.

The Compensation Committee directly engaged Korn Ferry as a compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee in the design of compensation for executive officers, through the 2018 compensation planning cycle.

Korn Ferry conducted an annual competitive assessment of executive positions at Kroger for the Compensation Committee. The assessment is one of several bases, as described above, on which the Compensation Committee determines compensation. The consultant assessed:

base salary;
target performance-based annual cash bonus;
target annual cash compensation (the sum of salary and annual cash bonus potential);
annualized long-term compensation, such as performance-based long-term cash bonus potential and performance units, stock options and restricted stock; and
total direct compensation (the sum of target annual cash compensation and annualized long-term compensation).

In addition to the factors identified above, the consultant also reviewed actual payout amounts against the targeted amounts.

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The consultant compared these elements against those of other companies in a group of publicly traded companies selected by the Compensation Committee. For 2018, our peer group consisted of:

Best Buy
Home Depot
Target
Cardinal Health
Johnson & Johnson
TJX Companies
Costco Wholesale
Lowes
Wal-Mart
CVS Health
Procter & Gamble
Walgreens Boots Alliance
Express Scripts
Sysco
 

The make-up of the compensation peer group is reviewed annually and modified as circumstances warrant. The Compensation Committee modified the peer group in 2016 because of industry consolidation and other competitive forces. Previously, the Compensation Committee used a primary peer group consisting only of food and drug retailers. In addition, the Compensation Committee considered data from “general industry” companies provided by its independent compensation consultant, a representation of major publicly-traded companies of similar size and scope from outside the retail industry. This data provided reference points, particularly for senior executive positions where competition for talent extends beyond the retail sector. The modified peer group includes a combination of food and drug retailers, other large retailers based on revenue size, and large consumer-facing companies. Median 2018 revenue for the peer group was $91.47 billion, compared to our 2018 revenue of $121.16 billion.

Considering the size of Kroger in relation to other peer group companies, the Compensation Committee believes that salaries paid to our NEOs should be competitively positioned relative to amounts paid by peer group companies for comparable positions. The Compensation Committee also aims to provide an annual cash bonus potential to our NEOs that, if achieved at superior levels, would cause total cash compensation to be meaningfully above the median. Actual payouts may be as low as zero if performance does not meet the baselines established by the Compensation Committee.

The independent members of the Board have the exclusive authority to determine the amount of the CEO’s compensation. In setting total compensation, the independent directors consider the median compensation of the peer group’s CEOs. With respect to the annual bonus, the independent directors make two determinations: (1) they determine the annual cash bonus potential that will be multiplied by the annual cash bonus payout percentage earned that is applicable to the NEOs and (2) the independent directors determine the annual cash bonus amount paid to the CEO by retaining discretion to reduce the annual cash bonus percentage payout the CEO would otherwise receive under the formulaic plan.

The Compensation Committee performs the same function and exercises the same authority as to the other NEOs. In its annual review of compensation for the NEOs the Compensation Committee:

Conducts an annual review of all components of compensation, quantifying total compensation for the NEOs on tally sheets. The review includes a summary for each NEO of salary; performance-based annual cash bonus; long-term performance-based cash and performance unit compensation; stock options; restricted stock; accumulated realized and unrealized stock option gains and restricted stock and performance unit values; the value of any perquisites; retirement benefits; company paid health and welfare benefits; banked vacation; severance benefits available under KEPP; and earnings and payouts available under Kroger’s nonqualified deferred compensation program.
Considers internal pay equity at Kroger to ensure that the CEO is not compensated disproportionately. The Compensation Committee has determined that the compensation of the CEO and that of the other NEOs bears a reasonable relationship to the compensation levels of other executive positions at Kroger taking into consideration performance and differences in responsibilities.
Reviews a report from the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant reflecting a comprehensive review of each element of pay mix, both annual and long-term and comparing NEO and other senior executive compensation with that of other companies, including both our peer group of competitors and a larger general industry group, to ensure that the Compensation Committee’s objectives of competitiveness are met.
Takes into account a recommendation from the CEO (except in the case of his own compensation) for salary, annual cash bonus potential and long-term compensation awards for each of the senior officers including the other NEOs. The CEO’s recommendation takes into consideration the objectives established by and the reports received by the Compensation Committee as well as his assessment of individual job performance and contribution to our management team.

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The Compensation Committee does not make use of a formula, but both qualitatively and quantitatively considers each of the factors identified above in setting compensation.

Shareholder Engagement & the 2018 Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

At the 2018 annual meeting, we held our eighth annual advisory vote on executive compensation. Over 90.94% of the votes cast were in favor of the advisory vote in 2018. In 2018, we also requested meetings with shareholders representing nearly 50% of our outstanding shares during the proxy season and off season engagement and ultimately engaged with shareholders representing over a third of our outstanding shares. Conversations with our shareholders in these meetings included discussions of our compensation program, with our shareholders providing feedback that they appreciate the pay for performance nature of our program’s structure. In light of this feedback and the strong support for our executive compensation program at the 2018 annual meeting, the Compensation Committee made no material changes in the structure of our compensation programs for 2018.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

To more closely align the interests of our officers and directors with your interests as shareholders, the Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines. These guidelines require non-employee directors, executive officers, and other key executives to acquire and hold a minimum dollar value of Kroger common shares as set forth below:

Position
Multiple
Chief Executive Officer
5 times base salary
President and Chief Operating Officer
4 times base salary
Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents
3 times base salary
Group Vice Presidents, Division Presidents, and Other Designated Key Executives
2 times base salary
Non-employee Directors
5 times annual base cash retainer

All covered individuals are expected to achieve the target level within five years of appointment to their positions. Until the requirements are met, covered individuals, including the NEOs, must hold 100% of common shares issued pursuant to performance units earned, shares received upon the exercise of stock options and upon the vesting of restricted stock, except those necessary to pay the exercise price of the options and/or applicable taxes, and must retain all Kroger common shares unless the disposition is approved in advance by the CEO, or by the Board or Compensation Committee for the CEO.

Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy (Clawback)

If a material error of facts results in the payment to an executive officer at the level of Group Vice President or higher of an annual cash bonus or a long-term cash bonus in an amount higher than otherwise would have been paid, as determined by the Compensation Committee, then the officer, upon demand from the Compensation Committee, will reimburse Kroger for the amounts that would not have been paid if the error had not occurred. This recoupment policy applies to those amounts paid by Kroger within 36 months prior to the detection and public disclosure of the error. In enforcing the policy, the Compensation Committee will take into consideration all factors that it deems appropriate, including:

the materiality of the amount of payment involved;
the extent to which other benefits were reduced in other years as a result of the achievement of performance levels based on the error;
individual officer culpability, if any; and
other factors that should offset the amount of overpayment.

Compensation Policies as They Relate to Risk Management

As part of the Compensation Committee’s review of our compensation practices, the Compensation Committee considers and analyzes the extent to which risks arise from such practices and their impact on Kroger’s business. As discussed in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, our policies and practices for compensating employees are designed to, among other things, attract and retain high quality and engaged employees. In this

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process, the Compensation Committee also focuses on minimizing risk through the implementation of certain practices and policies, such as the executive compensation recoupment policy, which is described above under “Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy (Clawback)”. Accordingly, we do not believe that our compensation practices and policies create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Kroger.

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging

After considering best practices related to ownership of company shares, the Board adopted a policy prohibiting Kroger directors and executive officers from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the pledging of, hedging transactions in, or short sales of, Kroger securities.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code

Prior to the effective date of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallowed a federal tax deduction to public companies for compensation greater than $1 million paid in any tax year to specified executive officers unless the compensation was “qualified performance-based compensation” under that section. Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the exception for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code was eliminated with respect to all remuneration in excess of $1 million other than qualified performance based compensation pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 or earlier which was not modified in any material respect on or after such date (the legislation providing for such transition rule, the “Transition Rule”).

As a result, performance based compensation that the Compensation Committee structured in previous years with the intent of qualifying as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) that will be paid after January 1, 2018 may not be fully deductible, depending on the application of the Transition Rule. The committee will—consistent with its past practice—continue to retain flexibility to design compensation programs that are in the best long-term interests of the company and our shareholders, with deductibility of compensation being one of a variety of considerations taken into account.

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Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with Kroger’s management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Kroger’s proxy statement and incorporated by reference into its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Compensation Committee:

Clyde R. Moore, Chair
Susan J. Kropf
Jorge P. Montoya
James A. Runde

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Executive Compensation Tables

Summary Compensation Table

The following table and footnotes provide information regarding the compensation of the NEOs for the fiscal years presented.

Name and Principal
Position(1)
Fiscal
Year
Salary
($)
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
Option
Awards
($)(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)
All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
Total
($)
W. Rodney McMullen
 
2018
 
$
1,311,984
 
$
4,999,996
 
$
2,367,858
 
$
2,692,833
 
$
335,955
 
$
329,246
 
$
12,037,872
 
Chairman and Chief
 
2017
 
 
1,318,752
 
 
5,166,317
 
 
2,700,116
 
 
359,806
 
 
1,690,923
 
 
298,463
 
 
11,534,377
 
Executive Officer
 
2016
 
 
1,251,781
 
 
5,125,034
 
 
2,699,044
 
 
719,945
 
 
3,139,537
 
 
282,051
 
 
13,217,392
 
J. Michael Schlotman
 
2018
 
 
907,292
 
 
2,350,843
 
 
752,700
 
 
1,374,160
 
 
295,994
 
 
91,133
 
 
5,772,122
 
Executive Vice President
 
2017
 
 
898,316
 
 
1,973,228
 
 
1,040,846
 
 
207,136
 
 
873,808
 
 
242,637
 
 
5,235,971
 
and Chief Financial Officer
 
2016
 
 
850,360
 
 
1,973,247
 
 
1,040,436
 
 
372,855
 
 
1,436,752
 
 
141,427
 
 
5,815,077
 
Michael J. Donnelly
 
2018
 
 
885,677
 
 
2,355,780
 
 
769,118
 
 
1,344,160
 
 
205,544
 
 
133,014
 
 
5,693,293
 
Executive Vice President
 
2017
 
 
817,967
 
 
2,230,028
 
 
780,637
 
 
183,832
 
 
1,032,483
 
 
247,149
 
 
5,292,096
 
and Chief Operating Officer
 
2016
 
 
757,036
 
 
1,480,011
 
 
780,323
 
 
341,308
 
 
2,207,236
 
 
188,569
 
 
5,754,483
 
Christopher T. Hjelm
 
2018
 
 
751,673
 
 
2,142,600
 
 
364,751
 
 
1,145,133
 
 
228
 
 
112,118
 
 
4,516,503
 
Executive Vice President
 
2017
 
 
744,245
 
 
1,480,025
 
 
780,637
 
 
173,536
 
 
520
 
 
190,917
 
 
3,369,880
 
and Chief Information Officer
 
2016
 
 
706,567
 
 
1,480,011
 
 
780,323
 
 
326,280
 
 
832
 
 
151,201
 
 
3,445,214
 
Robert Clark
 
2018
 
 
473,958
 
 
2,625,003
 
 
374,947
 
 
905,900
 
 
284,854
 
 
102,653
 
 
4,767,315
 
Senior Vice President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of restricted stock and performance units granted each fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Because Mr. Clark was not a NEO at the time the existing long-term plans were modified, he received additional grants which are reflected in the table. The following table reflects the value of each type of award granted to the NEOs in 2018:
Name
Restricted Stock
Performance Units
Mr. McMullen
$
2,368,205
 
$
2,631,791
 
Mr. Schlotman
$
1,454,505
 
$
896,338
 
Mr. Donnelly
$
1,480,788
 
$
874,992
 
Mr. Hjelm
$
1,400,004
 
$
742,596
 
Mr. Clark
$
1,500,002
 
$
1,125,001
 

The grant date fair value of the performance units reflected in the stock awards column and in the table above is computed based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions as of the grant date. This amount is consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized by the Company over the three-year performance period of the award determined as of the grant date under FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the valuations are set forth in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Kroger’s Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.

Assuming that the highest level of performance conditions is achieved, the aggregate fair value of the 2018 performance unit awards at the grant date is as follows:

Name
Value of Performance Units
Assuming Maximum Performance
Mr. McMullen
$
3,158,160
 
Mr. Schlotman
$
1,075,620
 
Mr. Donnelly
$
1,050,000
 
Mr. Hjelm
$
891,120
 
Mr. Clark
$
1,440,000
 

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(2)These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in calculating the valuations are set forth in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Kroger’s Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.
(3)Non-equity incentive plan compensation earned for 2018 consists of amounts earned under the 2018 performance-based annual cash bonus plan and the 2016 LTIP.
Name
Annual Cash Bonus
Long-Term Cash Bonus
Mr. McMullen
$
2,279,500
 
$
413,333
 
Mr. Schlotman
$
1,094,160
 
$
280,000
 
Mr. Donnelly
$
1,094,160
 
$
250,000
 
Mr. Hjelm
$
911,800
 
$
233,333
 
Mr. Clark
$
455,900
 
$
450,000
 

In accordance with the terms of the 2018 performance-based annual cash bonus plan, Kroger paid 91.18% to the NEOs. These amounts were earned with respect to performance in 2018 and paid in March 2019. See “Results of 2018 Annual Cash Bonus Plan” in the CD&A for more information on this plan.

The long-term cash bonus awarded under the 2016 LTIP is a performance-based bonus plan designed to reward participants for improving the long-term performance of the Company. See “Results of 2016 LTIP” in the CD&A for more information on this plan.

(4)For 2018, the amounts reported consist of the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of each NEO’s accumulated benefit under a defined benefit pension plan (including supplemental plans), which applies to Messrs. McMullen, Schlotman, Donnelly, and Clark, and preferential earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation, which applies to Messrs. McMullen, Donnelly, and Hjelm. Neither Mr. Schlotman nor Mr. Clark participate in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
Name
Change in
Pension Value
Preferential Earnings on Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Mr. McMullen
$
224,954
 
$
111,001
 
Mr. Schlotman
$
295,994
 
 
 
Mr. Donnelly
$
199,248
 
$
6,296
 
Mr. Hjelm
 
 
$
228
 
Mr. Clark
$
284,854
 
 
 

Change in Pension Value. These amounts represent the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits. Pension values may fluctuate significantly from year to year depending on a number of factors, including age, years of service, average annual earnings and the assumptions used to determine the present value, such as the discount rate. The increase in the actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits for 2018 compared to 2017 is due to additional benefits accrued, as applicable. Please see the 2018 Pension Benefits section for further information regarding the assumptions used in calculating pension benefits.

Preferential Earnings on Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. Messrs. McMullen, Donnelly and Hjelm participate in The Kroger Co. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). Under the plan, deferred compensation earns interest at a rate representing Kroger’s cost of ten-year debt, as determined by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee prior to the beginning of each deferral year. For each participant, a separate deferral account is created each year and the interest rate established for that year is applied to that deferral account until the deferred compensation is paid out. If the interest rate established by Kroger for a particular year exceeds 120% of the applicable federal long-term interest rate that corresponds most closely to the plan rate, the amount by which the plan rate exceeds 120% of the corresponding federal rate is deemed to be above-market or preferential. In fifteen of the twenty-four years in which at least one NEO deferred compensation, the rate set under the plan for that year exceeds 120% of the corresponding federal rate. For each of the deferral accounts in which the plan rate is deemed to be above-market, Kroger calculates the amount by which the actual annual earnings on the account exceed what the

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annual earnings would have been if the account earned interest at 120% of the corresponding federal rate, and discloses those amounts as preferential earnings. Amounts deferred in 2018 earn interest at a rate higher than 120% of the corresponding federal rate; accordingly, there are preferential earnings on these amounts.

(5)Amounts reported in the “All Other Compensation” column for 2018 include the dollar value of premiums paid by the Company for life insurance, Company contributions to defined contribution retirement plans, dividend equivalents paid on earned performance units, and dividends paid on unvested restricted stock. The following table identifies the value of each benefit.
Name
Life
Insurance
Premiums
Retirement Plan
Contributions(a)
Payment of
Dividend
Equivalents
on Earned
Performance
Units
Dividends
Paid on
Unvested
Restricted
Stock
Other(b)
Mr. McMullen
$
94,560
 
 
 
$
35,953
 
$
198,734
 
 
 
Mr. Schlotman
 
 
 
 
$
12,899
 
$
78,234
 
 
 
Mr. Donnelly
 
 
$
45,534
 
$
9,675
 
$
77,805
 
 
 
Mr. Hjelm
 
 
$
40,831
 
$
9,675
 
$
61,612
 
 
 
Mr. Clark
$
18,454
 
$
34,509
 
$
7,086
 
$
42,604
 
 
 
(a)Retirement plan contributions. The Company makes automatic and matching contributions to NEOs’ accounts under the applicable defined contribution plan on the same terms and using the same formulas as other participating employees. The Company also makes contributions to NEOs’ accounts under the applicable defined contribution plan restoration plan, which is intended to make up the shortfall in retirement benefits caused by the limitations on benefits to highly compensated individuals under the defined contribution plans in accordance with the Code. The aggregate amounts in the table above represent the following contributions for 2018:
Mr. Donnelly – a $13,750 matching contribution to the Dillon Companies, Inc. Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan and a $31,784 matching contribution to the Dillon Companies, Inc. Excess Benefit Profit Sharing Plan;
Mr. Hjelm – a $13,750 matching contribution and a $2,000 automatic company contribution to The Kroger Co. 401(k) Retirement Savings Account Plan and a $25,081 contribution to The Kroger Co. 401(k) Retirement Savings Account Restoration Plan; and
Mr. Clark – a $13,750 matching contribution to the Dillon Companies, Inc. Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan and a $20,759 matching contribution to the Dillon Companies, Inc. Excess Benefit Profit Sharing Plan.
(b)Other. For each of the NEOs the total amount of other benefits was less than $10,000.

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2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards