Kroger Q4 2005 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (KR)

The Kroger Co. (KR)
Q4 2005 Earnings Conference Call
March 7th 2006, 10:00 AM.

Executives:

Carin Fike, Manager of Investor Relations
David B. Dillon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Rodney McMullen, Vice Chairman
Michael Schlotman, Chief Financial Officer

Analysts:

Steve Chick, J.P. Morgan
John Heinbockel, Goldman Sachs
Meredith Adler, Lehman Brothers
Chuck Cerankosky, Key McDonald
Jason Whitmer, FTN Midwest Research
Mark Husson, HSBC
Scott Mushkin, Banc of America Securities

Presentation

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Kroger Fourth Quarter 2005 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Cindy, and I will be your coordinator for today. At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. We will conduct a question and answer session towards the end of this conference. If at anytime during the call you require assistance, please key “*