Kroger is one of America’s largest retail grocery chains who, at the end of the fiscal year 2003, operated 2,532 supermarkets and multi- department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. The group also operated a number of convenience stores, fine jewellery stores, supermarket fuel centres and food processing plants.