Aug 12, 20142 min read

By Sue Wilkinson, Senior Director, Information Service & Research, Food Marketing Institute
Has the grocery industry really changed that much over the past nearly 50 years? One way to answer this question is to look at the top five supermarkets in 1965 and today.
The top five supermarkets in 1965 according to Progressive Grocer’s 1966 Annual Report include:
- A&P
- Safeway
- Kroger
- Acme Markets
- National Tea
- Progressive Grocer 1966 Annual Report
Here’s where things stood at the mid-point. The top five supermarkets in 1990 according to Chain Store Guide 1991 include:
- American Stores
- Kroger
- Safeway
- A & P
- Winn- Dixie
- Chain Store Guide 1991
The top five supermarkets in 2013 according to Chain Store Guide 2014 include:
- Walmart Supercenters
- Kroger
- Costco
- Safeway
- Sam's Club
Got a question? Ask the FMI Librarian: All questions submitted from FMI members will be answered, but not all will be answered via the Voice of Food Retail. Answers provided on the Voice of Food Retail will be in general terms without specific company names or information. Visit the Supermarket Facts page for answers to the most frequently asked industry questions.


Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
