Mar 18, 2004 3:18 PM, from staff and wire reports

Ralph's Grocery Co plans to permanently close 15 of its underperforming supermarkets in Southern California within the next 60 days. The store closures are not related to the recently resolved Southern California supermarket labor dispute.

"We are taking these steps after extensive and careful review," said John Burgon, president of Ralph's. "The closing of these stores is a difficult but necessary step toward a better, more competitive Ralph's in Southern California."

The closing of the 15 stores will result in the reassignment of approximately 600 employees. The company intends to place them in other stores where possible. Ralph's will be working with employees to ease their transition.

From its headquarters in Los Angeles, Ralph's currently operates more than 340 supermarkets under the Ralph's, Bell Markets, and Cala Foods banners in California. The firm is a division of The Kroger Co.