Safeway and Ralphs are two of the largest grocery store chains in the United States. Though they are both large companies, they are not the same company. Safeway is a part of the Albertsons Companies, while Ralphs is owned by The Kroger Company.
Safeway was founded in 1915 in American Falls, Idaho. The company expanded rapidly, opening stores across the western United States. In 1929, Safeway merged with a competing grocery store chain called Skaggs United Stores.
The merger made Safeway the largest grocery store chain in the world at that time. Safeway continued to grow throughout the mid-20th century, expanding into Canada and acquiring other grocery store chains. Today, Safeway operates over 1,700 stores across the United States and Canada.
Ralphs was founded in 1873 in Los Angeles, California. The company grew slowly at first, but began to expand rapidly in the mid-20th century. Ralphs acquired several smaller grocery store chains throughout the years and today operates over 200 stores across Southern California.
Though Safeway and Ralphs are both large grocery store chains, they are not the same company. Safeway is owned by Albertsons Companies while Ralphs is owned by The Kroger Company.
