POWER-PACKED MERGERS IN THE SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY HAVE GENERATED SOME EXPLOSIVE CHANGES IN SN'S TOP 75 LIST

Elliot Zweibach

Number of Sales Stores in billions

Rank Company Top ExecutiveOwned End of Fiscal Year

1. Kroger Co. Joseph A. Pichler1,35626.5 e

Cincinnatichairman, CEO12/31/97

2.Wal-Mart

SupercentersNick White43625.0 e(A)

Bentonville, Ark.exec. VP, supercenters1/31/98

3.SafewaySteven Burd1,36722.4 e

Pleasanton, Calif.president, CEO1/3/98

4.American Stores Co.Victor L. Lund1,54119.2 e(B)

Salt Lake Citychairman, CEO1/31/98

5.SupervaluMichael W. Wright32516.9 e(C)

Minneapolischairman, president, CEO2/28/98

6.Fleming Cos.Robert E. Stauth27015.4 e(D)

Oklahoma Citychairman, CEO12/26/97

7.Albertson'sGary E. Michael88214.7 e

Boise, Idahochairman, CEO1/29/98

8.Ahold USARobert Zwartendijk82414.3 a(E)

Atlantapresident, CEO12/31/97

9.Winn-Dixie StoresA. Dano Davis1,21713.2 e(F)

Jacksonville, Fla.chairman6/25/97

10.Fred Meyer Inc.Robert G. Miller82412.8 e(G)

Portland, Ore.chairman, CEO1/31/98

11.Publix Super MarketsHoward Jenkins56311.1 e

Lakeland, Fla.chairman, CEO12/27/97

12.A&PJames Wood99310.3 e

Montvale, N.J.chairman, co-CEO2/28/98

13.Food LionTom Smith1,15110.2 a

Salisbury, N.C.chairman1/3/98

14.Loblaw Cos.Richard J. Currie3507.8 e(U.S.)(H)

Torontopresident1/3/98

15.H.E. Butt

Grocery Co.Charles C. Butt2436.5 a

San Antoniochairman, CEO11/2/97

16.Meijer Inc.Doug & Hank Meijer1116.2 e

Grand Rapids, Mich.co-chairmen1/31/98

17.Oshawa GroupAllister P. Graham1184.8 e(U.S.)(I)

Etobicoke, Ontariochairman, CEO1/24/98

18.Wakefern Food Corp.Thomas InfusinoNone4.6 a

Elizabeth, N.J.chairman9/30/97

19.Nash Finch Co.Alfred N. Flaten974.3 e(J)

Minneapolispresident, CEO1/3/98

20.Giant FoodPete L. Manos1754.2 e

Landover, Md.chairman, president, CEO2/28/98

21.ProvigoPierre Mignault2354.2 e(U.S.)(K)

Montrealchairman, CEO1/31/98

22.Giant EagleDavid S. Shapera2014.0 e(L)

PittsburghCEO6/30/97

23.Super Kmart Larry Andersoncorporate exec. VP,994.0 e(M)

Troy, Mich. division president1/28/98

24.Pathmark Stores James Donald chairman,1353.8 e

Woodbridge, N.J. president, CEO1/31/98

25. RichfoodJohn E. Stokely173.8 e(N)

Richmond, Va.president, CEO4/30/98

26. C&S Wholesale

GrocersRick CohenNone3.7 a

Brattleboro, Vt.chairman9/27/97

27. Assoc. Wholesale Grocers Michael DeFabisNone3.2 e

Kansas City, Kan.president, CEO12/27/97

Hugh G.

28. Hannaford Bros. Farrington1483.2 e

Scarborough, Mainepresident, CEO1/3/98

29. Penn Traffic Co.Gary D. Hirsch2623.0 e

Syracuse, N.Y.chairman1/31/98

30. Hy-Vee Ron Pearson

Food Storeschairman,2402.9 a

W. Des Moines, Iowa president, CEO9/28/97

31. Shaw's SupermarketsPhillip L. Francis1212.7 e

31E. Bridgewater, Mass.chairman, CEO2/28/98

32. Roundy'sGerald F. Lestina272.65 e(O)

Pewaukee, Wis.president, CEO12/31/97

33. Bruno'sJames Demme2192.6 e

Birmingham, Ala.chairman, CEO1/31/98

34.Dominick's Finer FoodsRobert Mariano1092.58 a

Northlake, Ill.president, CEO11/1/97

35.Spartan StoresJames B. MeyerNone2.48 a

Grand Rapids, Mich.president, CEO3/28/98

36. Metro-RichelieuPierre Lessard352.4 a(U.S.)(P)

Montrealpresident, CEO9/27/97

37. Randalls Food StoresRobert Onstead1142.4 a

Houstonchairman6/28/97

38. Raley's SupermarketsChuck Collings1152.4 e(Q)

West Sacramento, Calif.CEO6/30/97

39. Wegman's Food MarketsRobert Wegman552.34 e

Rochester, N.Y.chairman, CEO12/31/97

40.AldiPhillip R. Neally4752.3 e

Batavia, Ill.chairman, president1/3/98

41. Grand Union Co.J. Wayne Harris2232.3 e

Wayne, N.J.chairman, CEO3/28/98

42.Jitney-Jungle Stores of AmericaHenry Holman Jr.2202.25 e(R)

Jackson, Miss.chairman1/3/98

43. SobeysDouglas B.

Stellarton, Stewart1092.1 e(U.S.)

Nova Scotiavice chairman, CEO5/1/97

44. Certified Grocers of CaliforniaAl PlamannNone1.93 a

Los Angelespresident6/30/97

45. Harris TeeterFred Morganthall1401.93 a

Charlotte, N.C.president9/30/97

46.Demoulas SupermarketsT.A. Demoulas571.85 e

Tewksbury, Mass.president, CEO12/31/97

47.Schnuck MarketsCraig D. Schnuck871.8 e

St. Louischairman, CEO10/31/97

48.Weis MarketsRobert F. Weis1541.8 e

Sunbury, Pa.chairman12/27/97

49. Stater Bros.Jack Brown Marketchairman,1111.72 a

Colton, Calif. president, CEO9/28/97

50. Federated CooperativesDennis BandaiNone1.6 e(U.S.)

Saskatoon, Saskatch.president10/31/97

51.Price Chopper SupermarketsLewis Golub941.55 e

Schenectady, N.Y.chairman, CEO4/26/98

52. Ingles MarketsRobert P. Ingle1981.54 a

Black Mountain, N.C.chairman, CEO9/27/97

53. Marsh SupermarketsDon E. Marsh2711.5 e

Indianapolischairman, CEO3/28/98

54.BrookshireBruce Grocery Co. Brookshire1281.45 e

Tyler, Texaschairman9/30/97

55. Smart & Final Roger M.Laverty 3d1781.42 e(S)

Los Angelespresident, CEO1/4/98

56. Alex Lee Inc.Boyd George1021.3 a(T)

Hickory, N.C.chairman, CEO9/27/97

57. Save MartRobert M. Supermarkets Piccinini1021.3 e

Modesto, Calif.chairman, CEO3/31/98

58. United GrocersChuck CarlbomNone1.3 a

Portland, Ore.president, CEO9/30/97

59. GrocersMax & Supply Co. Milton LevitNone1.25 e

Houstonco-CEOs5/31/97

60. Associated Grocers Donald BensonNone1.2 e

Seattle president, CEO9/26/97

61. White Rose FoodsStephen BokserNone1.1 e

Somerset, N.J.president, CEO12/27/97

62. Whole Foods MarketsJohn Mackey761.1 a

Austin, Texaschairman, CEO9/28/97

63.Star Market Co.Henry Nasella521.05 e

Cambridge, Mass.chairman, president, CEO1/31/98

64.Eagle Food CentersBob Kelly911.0 e

Milan, Ill.president, CEO1/31/98

65.Twin County GrocersJames McGuireNone1.0 e

Edison, N.J.president8/2/97

66. Minyard Food Stores G. Minyard Williams,Liz Minyard85.97 e

Coppell, Texasco-chairs6/30/97

67. Pueblo Xtra InternationalWilliam Keon50.96 e(U)

Pompano Beach, Fla.president, CEO1/31/98

68. Furr's SupermarketsJan Friederich69.95 e

Albuquerque, N.M.chairman12/27/97

69. Associated Food Stores ParkinsonNone .93 e

Salt Lake Citypresident, CEO3/29/98

70. Bashas' MarketsEddie N. Basha94.87 e

Chandler, Ariz.chairman, CEO12/3/97

71. Shoppers Food WarehouseWilliam J. White37.85 e

Lanham, Md.president1/31/97

72. Big Y FoodsDonald H. D'Amour42.82 e

Springfield, Mass.chairman, CEO6/30/97

73.Big V MarketsJoseph Fisher32.75 e

Florida, N.Y.president, CEO12/27/98

74.Fiesta MarketsLouis Katipodis36.74 e

Houstonpresident, CEO5/31/97

75. King Kullen Grocery Co.John B. Cullen46.73 e

Westbury, N.Y.chairman, CEO4/30/97

FOOTNOTES: a=actual sales e=estimated sales

(A) Wal-Mart Supercenters represent about 21% of Wal-Mart's total estimated sales of $118 billion for 1997. Supercenter sales include about 40% food and 60% nonfood.

(B) American Stores Co. includes 554 food stores, 247 combination food and drug stores, and 740 freestanding drug stores. Freestanding drug stores account for 29% of total American Stores sales.

(C) Supervalu total includes 28% of sales from corporate stores.

(D) Fleming total includes 22% of sales from corporate stores.

(E) Ahold USA includes Bi-Lo, Mauldin, S.C.; Edwards Super Food Stores, Carlisle, Pa.; Finast Friendly Markets, Maple Heights, Ohio; Giant Food Stores, Carlisle, Pa.; Stop & Shop Cos., Quincy, Mass.; and Tops Friendly Markets, Buffalo, N.Y.

(F) Winn-Dixie sales estimate is for four quarters ended 1/7/98.

(G) Fred Meyer sales include $7.3 billion from Ralphs Grocery Co., Compton, Calif., and Quality Food Centers, Bellevue, Wash., which are scheduled to merge with Fred Meyer in March, consisting of $5.5 million from 410 Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores in southern California, $1.8 million from 89 QFC's in the Pacific Northwest and 56 Hughes Family Markets in southern California.

(H) Loblaw total includes 74% of sales from corporate stores.

(I) Oshawa total includes 19% of sales from corporate stores.

(J) Nash Finch total includes 20% of sales from corporate stores.

(K) Provigo total includes 68% of sales from corporate stores.

(L) Giant Eagle includes 96 corporate stores and 105 franchised Giant Eagle and Stop 'n Shop units. Total volume includes sales of $1.3 billion from acquisition of Riser Foods, Maple Heights, Ohio, in August.

(M) Super Kmart represents about 13% of Kmart Corp.'s total estimated sales of $32 billion for 1997. Supercenter sales include 45% from food, 55% from nonfood.

(N) Richfood total includes $660 million from acquisition of Farm Fresh, Richmond, Va., which is scheduled to close in mid-February. Total volume also includes 5% of sales from corporate stores excluding Farm Fresh.

(O) Roundy's total includes 15% of sales from corporate stores.

(P) Metro-Richelieu total includes 24% of sales from corporate stores.

(Q) Raley's total includes about $400 million from acquisition of 27-unit Nob Hill Foods, scheduled to be completed this month.

(R) Jitney-Jungle total includes about $1.1 billion from acquisition of Delchamps, Mobile, Ala., in November.

(S) Smart & Final total includes 27% of sales from food service.

(T) Alex Lee total includes $670 million from Lowes Food Stores, Winston-Salem, N.C., whose acquisition of Byrd's Foods, Burlington, N.C., in early October came at outset of new fiscal year; $955 million from Merchants Distributors, Hickory, N.C., a wholesaler, which has about 30% of its sales going to Lowes; and $203 million from Institution Food House, Hickory, N.C., a food-service distributor.

(U) Pueblo Xtra total includes sales from 43 Blockbuster video stores, which account for 4% to 5% of corporate volume.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

IGA, the Chicago-based network of independent operators, accounted in 1997 for North American volume of about $18.5 billion, including $10.2 billion from the United States and $3.9 billion (U.S.) from Canada -- virtually all of which is included in the sales numbers for IGA's 12 wholesaler-owners in the United States and two in Canada. IGA also does about $4.4 billion in sales overseas, where it has 12 wholesaler-owners. IGA U.S. and IGA Canada are separate and do not operate under the same umbrella.

Piggly Wiggly Co., Memphis, Tenn., is an umbrella organization for 369 owners operating 720 franchised stores in 21 states with a combined 1997 volume of about $4 billion. Fleming Cos., Oklahoma City, is the parent company and is also one of several wholesalers that supplies products to the Piggly Wiggly stores.