The landscape of grocery shopping in Los Angeles is facing a significant shift as supermarket giant Kroger has announced the closure of three stores, including a Food 4 Less location. This decision, impacting communities and potentially limiting access to affordable groceries, raises important questions for residents who rely on accessible and budget-friendly food options, including those searching for “Food 4 Less Close To Me”.
Kroger, the parent company of Food 4 Less and Ralphs, stated that these closures are a direct response to the new “hero pay” mandates in Los Angeles, requiring a $5-per-hour pay increase for grocery workers during the ongoing pandemic. The affected stores, two Ralphs and one Food 4 Less on West Sunset Boulevard, are scheduled to close on May 15th. Kroger has labeled these locations as “underperforming,” suggesting the additional labor costs accelerated the decision to shut them down.
Alt: Food 4 Less supermarket entrance with red signage, indicating grocery shopping options nearby.
This announcement is the latest in a series of similar actions taken by Kroger and other grocery chains in response to pandemic pay ordinances. Businesses argue that these mandates impose unsustainable financial burdens and unfairly target the grocery sector, while other essential businesses with frontline workers are not subjected to the same requirements. The Los Angeles City Council, however, voted overwhelmingly (14-1) in favor of the ordinance in February, aiming to recognize and compensate grocery workers for their essential services and increased risks during the pandemic.
Kroger estimates that the temporary pay increase will add $20 million to their operating costs over the four-month period of the mandate. The company argues that this additional expense makes it financially unviable to keep underperforming stores operational. “Unfortunately, the Los Angeles City Council disregarded their own Economic Impact Report by not considering that grocery stores — even in a pandemic — operate on razor-thin profit margins in a very competitive landscape,” Kroger stated, highlighting the economic pressures faced by grocery businesses.
An economic analysis, released by the city just days before the vote, did acknowledge the low-profit margins within the grocery industry. The report cautioned that businesses might react to the ordinance by closing stores, reducing staff, or increasing prices for consumers. While experts suggest that most grocery stores should be able to absorb temporary pay increases, stores already struggling financially could be disproportionately affected, potentially leading to closures like the Food 4 Less location.
Alt: Interior view of grocery store aisle filled with shelves stocked with diverse food items, representing food shopping choices.
Stuart Waldman, representing the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, criticized the “rushed provisions” as “bad policies” with potentially long-term negative consequences for the city. Conversely, community advocates and local residents have voiced concerns about the impact of these closures on their neighborhoods. Denise Francis Woods, a local community leader, emphasized that the closure of the Ralphs on Slauson would result in job losses and eliminate a crucial grocery store in an area already considered a food desert, making it harder for residents to find “food 4 less close to me” and other affordable options. “That would be a total disaster for us if that Ralphs was to leave,” she stated, underscoring the importance of local grocery stores for community access to food.
City Councilman Paul Koretz, who supported the hero pay mandate, believes Kroger’s actions are an attempt to intimidate other cities considering similar pay requirements. He noted his personal connection to one of the Ralphs stores slated for closure, highlighting the long-standing presence of these stores in the community.
Los Angeles is not the first city to face this issue. Long Beach, California, was among the first to implement hazard pay rules, leading to a lawsuit from the California Grocers Association. Similarly, cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Montebello have also faced pushback from trade groups after approving similar hazard pay proposals. Last month, Kroger announced the closure of a Ralphs and a Food 4 Less in Long Beach, directly citing the new pay mandates as the reason. They also announced plans to close two Quality Food Centers in Seattle following the implementation of hazard pay.
Alt: Customers selecting fresh produce in a grocery store, illustrating the act of food shopping and local market interaction.
The context for these hazard pay mandates is rooted in a UC San Francisco study that highlighted the increased mortality risk faced by frontline workers, particularly those in the food and agriculture sectors. The study revealed that food and agriculture workers experienced the highest increase in mortality among frontline laborers, with Latino workers in these sectors being disproportionately affected. This research provided a crucial basis for the hazard pay legislation, aiming to protect and compensate essential workers during the pandemic.
In conclusion, the closure of the Food 4 Less and Ralphs stores in Los Angeles highlights the complex intersection of economic pressures, worker compensation, and community access to essential services. While businesses argue about financial sustainability under increased labor costs, communities face the real consequences of reduced grocery options, potentially limiting access to “food 4 less close to me” and other affordable food sources, especially in underserved areas. The situation underscores the ongoing debate about balancing business viability with the needs and well-being of both workers and the communities they serve.
