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
See where things stood at the mid-point. The top five supermarkets in 1990 according to Chain Store Guide 1991 and The top five supermarkets in 2013
http://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2014/08/12/ask-the-fmi-librarian-how-times-have-changed
Leon Wildberger
Executive Director