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May 29, 2008

KROGER AND THE LITTLE CLINIC ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER CUSTOMERS CONVENIENT HEALTHCARE CENTERS INSIDE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD STORE

Kroger Makes Significant Investment in The Little Clinic

Nashville, TN - The Kroger Co. and The Little Clinic today announced a partnership aimed at bringing walk-in medical clinics and consumer health solutions to stores across the country. Kroger has made a significant investment in The Little Clinic that will support a substantial clinic rollout. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. The Little Clinic currently operates 26 walk-in medical clinics inside Kroger’s family of stores.

Molly F. Ashby, founder and CEO of Solera Capital, and Chairman of The Little Clinic, said: "We welcome Kroger as a shareholder and partner in building a leader in consumer healthcare. We share a commitment to deliver innovative, quality, affordable healthcare to consumers across the country." Solera Capital is a private equity firm that acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

Donald Becker, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for Kroger, said: "More and more, our customers are becoming proactive about managing their health and wellness. Millions of customers already rely on the professional expert counsel our Pharmacists provide. Our partnership with The Little Clinic is one more way Kroger makes it easy for customers to take advantage of healthcare options inside our family of stores."

"The Little Clinic is the perfect complement to family practitioners when you’re on the go, or need medical attention after hours," said John Grzybowski, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Little Clinic. "Kroger customers who visit our clinics are impressed by the attentiveness and expertise of our medical professionals, and we are excited to grow our company by offering services in additional stores."

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., The Little Clinic is a pioneer in customer-focused healthcare with a mission to provide convenient, affordable healthcare and wellness education. The Little Clinic healthcare centers are currently located in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

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W Squared is very honored to have played a part in The Little Clinic's transformation and subsequent success. W Squared provided retained finance and accounting services to The Little Clinic as the company moved to Nashville and built its new management team.