COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 445110

Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

113companies1863–1998founding years113still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedCo-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.
1863
FoundedBudgens Ltd.
1896
FoundedWm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC
1899
FoundedThe Kroger Co.
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedOdakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
1923
FoundedSupervalu Inc.
1926
FoundedWinn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
1928
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedRaley's Inc.
1935
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedGroupe Bourbon S.A.
1948
FoundedASDA Group Ltd.
1949
FoundedAndronico's Market
1955
FoundedThe Seiyu, Ltd.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedCarrefour SA
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedTrader Joe's Company
1967
FoundedITM Entreprises SA
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedSomerfield plc
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedSafeway PLC
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedWhole Foods Market, Inc.
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyAmazon is founded; e-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1863 · United Kingdom
Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.
Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1863 · United Kingdom
Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.
Coop Schweiz Genossenschaftsverband →
Active · founded 1890 · Switzerland
Coop Schweiz Genossenschaftsverband is Switzerland's second-largest food products retailer, behind fellow cooperative…
Coop Schweiz Genossenschaftsverband →
Active · founded 1890 · Switzerland
Coop Schweiz Genossenschaftsverband is Switzerland's second-largest food products retailer, behind fellow cooperative…
The Copps Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
The Copps Corporation is one of Wisconsin's largest privately held businesses.
The Copps Corporation →
Active · founded 1892
The Copps Corporation is one of Wisconsin's largest privately held businesses.
Budgens Ltd. →
Active · founded 1896 · United Kingdom
Although the smallest of the United Kingdom's top supermarket groups, Budgens Ltd.
Budgens Ltd. →
Active · founded 1896 · United Kingdom
Although the smallest of the United Kingdom's top supermarket groups, Budgens Ltd.
Nash Finch Company →
Active · founded 1896
1950s:Company reenters food retailing with purchase of 17 supermarkets in Nebraska.
Nash Finch Company →
Active · founded 1896
1950s:Company reenters food retailing with purchase of 17 supermarkets in Nebraska.
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A. →
Active · founded 1898 · France
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A., or Groupe Casino, is one of France's largest retailers--battling it out with Carrefour…
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A. →
Active · founded 1898 · France
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A., or Groupe Casino, is one of France's largest retailers--battling it out with Carrefour…
Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC →
Active · founded 1899 · United Kingdom
Wm.
Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC →
Active · founded 1899 · United Kingdom
Wm.
Hale-Halsell Company →
Active · founded 1901
The Hale-Halsell Company has grown from its modest roots as a food supplier to settlers in newly opened Indian…
Hale-Halsell Company →
Active · founded 1901
The Hale-Halsell Company has grown from its modest roots as a food supplier to settlers in newly opened Indian…
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
The Kroger Co. →
Active · founded 1902
Among companies that principally operate grocery stores, The Kroger Co.
The Kroger Co. →
Active · founded 1902
Among companies that principally operate grocery stores, The Kroger Co.
Edeka Zentrale A.G. →
Active · founded 1908 · Germany
As a cooperative company, Edeka Zentrale A.G.
Edeka Zentrale A.G. →
Active · founded 1908 · Germany
As a cooperative company, Edeka Zentrale A.G.
Spartan Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Once a wholesale grocery cooperative, Spartan Stores Inc.
Spartan Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1918
Once a wholesale grocery cooperative, Spartan Stores Inc.
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1923 · Japan
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1923 · Japan
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company →
Active · founded 1925
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company runs the largest grocery chain in the New England area of the United States; with…
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company →
Active · founded 1925
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company runs the largest grocery chain in the New England area of the United States; with…
Supervalu Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Minnesota-based Supervalu Inc.
Supervalu Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Minnesota-based Supervalu Inc.
Metcash Trading Ltd. →
Active · founded 1927 · Australia
Metcash Trading Ltd.
Metcash Trading Ltd. →
Active · founded 1927 · Australia
Metcash Trading Ltd.
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1928
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1928
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc., a subsidiary of The Kroger Company, is a leading regional supermarket chain…
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc., a subsidiary of The Kroger Company, is a leading regional supermarket chain…
Tesco plc →
Active · founded 1932 · United Kingdom
Late 1970s:As part of an extensive reorganization program, Tesco closes 500 stores.
Tesco plc →
Active · founded 1932 · United Kingdom
Late 1970s:As part of an extensive reorganization program, Tesco closes 500 stores.
Raley's Inc. →
Active · founded 1935
Raley's Inc.
Raley's Inc. →
Active · founded 1935
Raley's Inc.
S.A.C.I. Falabella →
Active · founded 1937 · Chile
S.A.C.I.
S.A.C.I. Falabella →
Active · founded 1937 · Chile
S.A.C.I.
Albertson's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1945
1950s:Company expands into Washington, Utah, Oregon, and Montana.
Albertson's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1945
1950s:Company expands into Washington, Utah, Oregon, and Montana.
Big Y Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Big Y Foods, Inc., headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, owns and operates a retail supermarket chain in…
Big Y Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Big Y Foods, Inc., headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, owns and operates a retail supermarket chain in…
Groupe Bourbon S.A. →
Active · founded 1948 · France
Former sugar cane producer Groupe Bourbon S.A.
Groupe Bourbon S.A. →
Active · founded 1948 · France
Former sugar cane producer Groupe Bourbon S.A.
Nagasakiya Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Nagasakiya Co., Ltd.
Nagasakiya Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Nagasakiya Co., Ltd.
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
ASDA Group Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
ASDA Group Ltd.
ASDA Group Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
ASDA Group Ltd.
Association des Centres Distributeurs E. Leclerc →
Active · founded 1949 · France
Retailing powerhouse Association des Centres Distributeurs E.
Association des Centres Distributeurs E. Leclerc →
Active · founded 1949 · France
Retailing powerhouse Association des Centres Distributeurs E.
Kotobukiya Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Founded shortly after the end of World War II, Kotobukiya Co., Ltd.
Kotobukiya Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Founded shortly after the end of World War II, Kotobukiya Co., Ltd.
Andronico's Market →
Active · founded 1955
Andronico's Market is a chain of supermarkets in Northern California.
Andronico's Market →
Active · founded 1955
Andronico's Market is a chain of supermarkets in Northern California.
Pueblo Xtra International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1955
Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, Pueblo Xtra International, Inc.
Pueblo Xtra International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1955
Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, Pueblo Xtra International, Inc.
Shoppers Food Warehouse Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
A subsidiary of Supervalu Inc., Shoppers Food Warehouse Corporation operates a chain of 57 warehouse-style…
Shoppers Food Warehouse Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
A subsidiary of Supervalu Inc., Shoppers Food Warehouse Corporation operates a chain of 57 warehouse-style…
The Seiyu, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1956 · Japan
The Seiyu, Ltd.
The Seiyu, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1956 · Japan
The Seiyu, Ltd.
Food Lion LLC →
Active · founded 1957
1999: A new management team seeks to revitalize Food Lion.
Food Lion LLC →
Active · founded 1957
1999: A new management team seeks to revitalize Food Lion.
Bruno's Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Bruno's Supermarkets, Inc., operates some of the largest supermarket chains in the southeastern United States.
Bruno's Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Bruno's Supermarkets, Inc., operates some of the largest supermarket chains in the southeastern United States.
Carrefour SA →
Active · founded 1959 · France
As the world's second largest retailer, Carrefour SA operates more than 10,300 stores in France and abroad under more…
Carrefour SA →
Active · founded 1959 · France
As the world's second largest retailer, Carrefour SA operates more than 10,300 stores in France and abroad under more…
Auchan →
Active · founded 1961 · France
Auchan is one of the world's top retail and distribution groups with more than EUR 22 billion in revenues each year.
Auchan →
Active · founded 1961 · France
Auchan is one of the world's top retail and distribution groups with more than EUR 22 billion in revenues each year.
Provigo Inc. →
Active · founded 1961 · Canada
Provigo Inc.
Uwajimaya, Inc. →
Active · founded 1962
In 2002, as Uwajimaya's 75th anniversary approached, the company marked the passing of an era.
Uwajimaya, Inc. →
Active · founded 1962
In 2002, as Uwajimaya's 75th anniversary approached, the company marked the passing of an era.
Trader Joe's Company →
Active · founded 1967
Trader Joe's Company operates a chain of unique grocery stores that have been described as equal parts discount…
Trader Joe's Company →
Active · founded 1967
Trader Joe's Company operates a chain of unique grocery stores that have been described as equal parts discount…
WinCo Foods Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
WinCo Foods Inc.
WinCo Foods Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
WinCo Foods Inc.
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
ITM Entreprises SA →
Active · founded 1969 · France
ITM Entreprises SA is France's largest supermarket group, with more than 2,700 stores under some 11 formats throughout…
ITM Entreprises SA →
Active · founded 1969 · France
ITM Entreprises SA is France's largest supermarket group, with more than 2,700 stores under some 11 formats throughout…
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
The Big Food Group plc →
Active · founded 1970 · United Kingdom
Based in north Wales, The Big Food Group plc (BFG) is one of the United Kingdom's leading food distributors.
The Big Food Group plc →
Active · founded 1970 · United Kingdom
Based in north Wales, The Big Food Group plc (BFG) is one of the United Kingdom's leading food distributors.
Somerfield plc →
Active · founded 1974 · United Kingdom
Somerfield plc is a major grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, holding about a 7 percent share of the U.K.
Somerfield plc →
Active · founded 1974 · United Kingdom
Somerfield plc is a major grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, holding about a 7 percent share of the U.K.
Coto Centro Integral de Comercializacion S.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Argentina
Coto Centro Integral de Comercializacion S.A.
Coto Centro Integral de Comercializacion S.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Argentina
Coto Centro Integral de Comercializacion S.A.
Hutchison Whampoa Limited →
Active · founded 1977 · Hong Kong
1960s:Hutchison gains controlling interests in A.S.
Hutchison Whampoa Limited →
Active · founded 1977 · Hong Kong
1960s:Hutchison gains controlling interests in A.S.
Safeway PLC →
Active · founded 1977 · United Kingdom
Considering its current annual sales of £9.4 billion, Safeway PLC has a remarkably short history.
Safeway PLC →
Active · founded 1977 · United Kingdom
Considering its current annual sales of £9.4 billion, Safeway PLC has a remarkably short history.
Tops Markets LLC →
Active · founded 1977
According to the Buffalo News, Odland "hit the ground running with a number of initiatives that have given the company…
Tops Markets LLC →
Active · founded 1977
According to the Buffalo News, Odland "hit the ground running with a number of initiatives that have given the company…
Cencosud S.A. →
Active · founded 1978 · Chile
Cencosud S.A.
Cencosud S.A. →
Active · founded 1978 · Chile
Cencosud S.A.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Based in Colton, California, Stater Bros.
Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Based in Colton, California, Stater Bros.
Metro AG →
Active · founded 1996 · Germany
One of the largest retailers in the world, Metro AG is a Düsseldorf-based holding company formed through the 1996…
Metro AG →
Active · founded 1996 · Germany
One of the largest retailers in the world, Metro AG is a Düsseldorf-based holding company formed through the 1996…
Laurus N.V. →
Active · founded 1998 · Netherlands
Laurus N.V.
Laurus N.V. →
Active · founded 1998 · Netherlands
Laurus N.V.
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