FOOD 4 LESS TRIAL ORDERED

LA HABRA, Calif. -- A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ordered a trial in a lawsuit by Food 4 Less Supermarkets here against Lucky Stores, Dublin, Calif., for Lucky's claims that it is the "low price leader." The suit, filed last March, charged Lucky with false and misleading advertising and anti-competitive practices. The judge rejected Lucky's request to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge also dismissed a charge by Food 4 Less that it was damaged by Lucky's price claims in its ads, thereby denying Food 4 Less the opportunity to seek $100 million in damages. Food 4 Less operates 30 warehouse stores in southern California, though that number will increase after its pending merger with Ralphs Grocery Co., Compton, in March. Lucky operates 241 conventional supermarkets in the area.