Ralphs
| File:Ralphsmarketplace.jpg A Ralphs Marketplace located in Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, California (Store #703-00127) | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Supermarket) |
| Founded | 1873 in Los Angeles, California |
| Founder | George Ralphs |
| Headquarters | 1100 W. Artesia Blvd. Compton, California , United States |
Number of locations | 184 stores (April 2024) |
Area served | Southern California |
Key people | Tom Schwilke (president)
John Sparkenbach (VP of Operations) Laura Peters (VP of Merchandising) |
| Products | Bakery, dairy, delicatessen, frozen foods, grocery, meat, liquor, pharmacy, produce, seafood and snacks |
| Revenue | US$6 billion (2023) |
| Owner | Yucaipa Companies (1994–1997) |
Number of employees | 27,000 (2021) |
| Parent | Federated Department Stores (1968–1992) Fred Meyer (1997–1998) Kroger (1998–present) |
| Website | www |
Ralphs is a supermarket chain operating in Southern California, recognized as the largest subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Kroger. Established as the oldest supermarket chain west of the Mississippi River, Kroger also manages stores under the Food 4 Less and Foods Co. banners throughout California.
History
The company was established in 1873 in Los Angeles by brothers George Ralphs and Walter Benjamin Ralphs. Initially named Ralphs & Francis, it later became Ralphs Bros. Grocers with a focus on fresh produce. Ralphs was among the pioneers in introducing self-service supermarkets, featuring several locations with distinctive architectural styles; notably, their 1929 store in Westwood Village is recognized as a Historic Cultural Monument and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the 1980s, Ralphs launched an experimental hybrid supermarket-warehouse format called The Giant, which proved unsuccessful but was eventually revitalized through its merger with discount retailer Food 4 Less. In 1968, Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores acquired Ralphs.
After Federated experienced a hostile takeover by Canadian company Campeau Corporation in 1988, Ralphs was put up for sale. Following Federated’s bankruptcy filing in 1992, the company was sold to a group led by Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation. Two years later, in 1994, Yucaipa Companies purchased Ralphs for $1.5 billion, consolidating ABC Markets, Alpha Beta, and Boys Markets under the Ralphs name while integrating Food 4 Less into the operation.
In 1997, Portland-based Fred Meyer acquired Ralphs and introduced Ralphs Marketplace stores modeled after its own concept but excluding apparel departments. That same year also saw Fred Meyer acquire Hughes Family Markets’ portfolio of 57 stores. In October 1998, Fred Meyer merged with Cincinnati’s Kroger.
Ralphs extended its reach into Northern California in 1999 by acquiring roughly 30 Albertsons and Lucky locations that were divested amid an Albertsons-American Stores merger—marking a return to that region after an earlier brief presence during the 1970s. Nonetheless, by 2006 all Northern California outlets had ceased operations.
In 2007, Ralphs launched a flagship store in downtown Los Angeles’ South Park district—the first full-service supermarket to open downtown in half a century. In 2023, President Tom Schwilke revealed plans for opening a new store within two years—the first new location launch in over ten years.
Currently, Ralphs primarily competes against Albertsons (including Vons) and Stater Bros., maintaining the dominant market share across Southern California. Its tagline "Fresh for Everyone" reflects Kroger’s overarching branding approach.
2003–04 labor dispute
During the strike organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union in late 2003 and early 2004, Ralphs Grocery Company, which had contracts with the UFCW, imposed a lockout on its unionized employees. This action occurred simultaneously with competitor Vons, owned by Safeway Inc. The primary points of contention in the negotiations were healthcare coverage and wage arrangements. Ralphs maintained that these adjustments were necessary to reduce expenses and remain competitive against discount retailers such as Walmart. The resolution reached in 2004 favored the grocery chains, resulting in lower wages and diminished health benefits for newly hired workers.
In 2006, Ralphs consented to a $70 million settlement related to the illegal rehiring of locked-out employees who were registered under fictitious names during the strike period. From this agreement, UFCW members received $50 million, while the remaining amount was allocated as penalties payable to the federal government.