Jewel-Osco is a leading Midwest regional grocery store chain that has been proudly serving local communities with quality, affordable food and superior customer service for over 100 years. Based in Illinois and with over 190 locations across the state as well as in Indiana and Iowa, Jewel-Osco stores are integral parts of the neighborhoods and towns we serve.
Our History
Jewel-Osco traces its roots back to 1899 when Frank Vernon Skiff founded Skiff’s Market in downtown Chicago. Known for its exceptional meat counter and wide variety of fresh produce, Skiff’s became a favorite neighborhood grocery store for Chicago residents in its early days.
In 1904, Skiff partnered with his brother-in-law Frank P. Ross to open a second Skiff’s Market location on Chicago’s west side. The younger Ross brought innovative ideas to the business, like staying open in the evenings and delivering orders for free using his own bicycle. This cemented customer loyalty and word-of-mouth praise that drove Skiff’s and Ross’ early growth.
The Skiff and Ross families continued expanding their grocery operations over the next few decades. In 1953, the chain was consolidated under the new Jewel Tea Company banner, combining four large Chicago chains into one unified brand. The name “Jewel” was chosen as a nod to some of the merged companies like Jewel and Liberty stores. It also represented the founders’ goals of combining the best elements of each legacy business into a true “jewel” of a grocery chain.
Jewel Tea Company continued to grow through new store openings and acquisitions over the coming decades. It acquired Osco Drug chain in 1984 which importantly gave it an entry into the pharmacy business. The following year, Jewel Osco adopted its still-current name and identity.
Jewel Osco was purchased by American Stores Company in 1988 which operated it until 1999 when the chain became part of Albertsons. In 2006, Jewel Osco was acquired by SuperValu which repositioned it more distinctly as a true “neighborhood grocer” focused on superior service, quality and strong connections to local communities.
Today, Jewel-Osco operates over 190 stores across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. We remain dedicated to providing friendly service, quality products, and community support just as our founders did over a century ago but on a much larger scale as a leading Midwest regional grocery retailer.
Our Stores
Jewel-Osco stores range in size from 28,000 square feet to 68,000 square feet to serve a wide span of communities from small towns to major urban centers. While our store formats vary, every Jewel-Osco location strives to create a welcoming, neighborhood feel focused on catering to local needs and preferences.
Key departments found at all stores include:
Produce: Our produce departments offer exceptional variety and quality with many organic options. We source from over 250 local farms when produce is in peak season. Our staff handpick deliveries to ensure freshness.
Bakery: From breads and buns to cakes and pies, our in-store bakeries bake a wide array of items daily. Special occasion cakes can be ordered. We offer gluten-free and seasonal baked goods as well.
Deli/Prepared Foods: Our delis offer specialty meats and cheeses by the slice or pound along with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads entrees for quick meals. Hot bars, salad bars and olive bars allow for customization and variety.
Meat: Fresh meat cut in-house daily includes beef, poultry, pork and lamb. Value packs, portioned cuts and seasoned meats provide options from basic proteins to gourmet selections.
Seafood: From staple fish filets to premium crab legs and lobster tails, our seafood department sources quality offerings. Local fish is featured when available.
Dairy: Extensive dairy options include milk, eggs, yogurt, sour cream and a large cheese selection with over 250 varieties. Organic and specialty dairy is always stocked.
Frozen foods: Over 2,500 frozen items include entrees, veggies, desserts and more covering global cuisines. Our gluten free and organic frozen options have grown rapidly.
Shelf grocery: Over 50,000 grocery products line our aisles. We focus on stocking local, natural and organic products to cater to modern preferences. International food ranges meet diverse needs.
Floral: In-store floral departments create bouquets, arrangements and gift baskets for all occasions. Orders can be placed online or by phone for convenient pickup. Delivery is provided to most nearby zip codes.
Pharmacy: Most Jewel Oscos have a full-service pharmacy offering prescriptions and immunizations along with a broad over-the-counter medicine selection. Convenient order pickup and delivery options are available.
Along with exceptional food and pharmacy offerings, many Jewel-Osco locations house additional convenience services like wine and spirits shops, coffee bars, juice shops, banks and ATMs, fuel stations and more. We aim to serve as a true grocery headquarters and neighborhood hub for each area we serve.
Our Private Brand Products
Jewel Osco proudly offers thousands of high-quality, affordable private brand grocery products under brands like:
Jewel: Our Jewel line includes staple grocery offerings comparable to national brands. Categories span dairy products, baking needs, frozen meals, cereal, snacks, coffee, spices and much more.
O Organics: With over 1,400 items, our O Organics line is one of the largest organic private label collections in the country covering everything from fresh produce and meat to canned goods and dairy.
Sole Bliss: Our health-focused Sole Bliss line makes eating well simple with items like nutritious frozen entrees, gluten free pasta and dairy substitutions along with pantry staples.
Splash O’ Fruit: Our extensive Splash O’ Fruit line makes snacking nutritious and affordable with dried fruits, nut mixes, granola and more. Items span traditional and exotic flavors.
Valor: Offering premium wines, spirits and beer at reasonable prices, Valu is our exclusive alcohol brand managed by highly trained staff. Many Valor items have earned national awards and critical acclaim.
Other brands: From household essentials to baby care to pet supplies, additional private label brands help shoppers save throughout our stores without sacrificing product quality.
Jewel Osco carefully sources all private brand items to meet our high safety, quality, value and taste standards that our customers expect. Rigorous product specifications must be met and extensive testing is conducted. Numerous products have been recognized nationally by consumer and industry publications as superior to big national names, proving their excellent quality. With prices averaging 20-30% lower than national brands on comparable items, our private brands offer significant value without downgrading quality.
Our Commitment to Communities
Jewel Osco maintains strong bonds to the communities we serve rooted in our long local history and operated locations across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa along with deep employee roots in these areas. We diligently work to help support the neighborhoods around us in meaningful ways beyond just serving as a convenient grocery resource.
Some prominent initiatives and partnerships focused on serving our communities include:
Fighting Hunger: We continually fundraise and facilitate donations equaling millions of pounds of food yearly to food banks and programs tackling food insecurity through partnerships, in-store programs, and hands-on employee volunteering. This critical work has been accelerated to address intensified needs brought by recent challenges many families face.
Health and Wellness: Through sponsorships and fundraising tied to events and non-profits, we provide significant community health investment. This spans major partnerships like the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer along with other health-centered collaborations.
Youth Development: Supporting positive growth opportunities for young people in our communities represents an important focus area. Organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement and more have been long supported via grants, sponsorships and local level assistance. Investing in the next generation ultimately invests back into our communities’ futures.
Team Member Support: From employee assistance funds to continuing education scholarships to holiday giving programs supporting team members in need, we consistently work to support our dedicated Jewel Osco workforce and acknowledge their contributions to our local communities every day.
Our community efforts have been consistently recognized by civic organizations and publications for their scope, impact and creativity including awards like Progressive Grocer’s Top 10 Social Responsibility Retailers. Our community involvement also raises customer awareness, affinity and support for Jewel Osco helping fuel our ongoing growth and success.
The Future of Jewel Osco
While the grocery industry continues evolving at a rapid pace along with customer preferences and technology, our commitment remains to serve shoppers through quality products, exceptional service, local relevance and community stewardship just as we have for over 120 years but on an ever more impactful and polished level.
We continue growing our presence statewide in Illinois while expanding reach across the greater Midwest in targeted areas where our brand resonates strongly with shoppers looking for the tailored offerings, standout fresh departments and welcoming feel integral to Jewel Osco stores.
Online ordering, delivery options, mobile apps and other digital engagements supplement our brick-and-mortar locations to provide expanded convenience and personalized service on your terms. Through these channels shoppers can access weekly specials, coupons, fuel perks, loyalty rewards and other benefits we offer.
No matter how you choose to shop at Jewel Osco – in-store or online, through mobile apps or delivery, for small every day needs or big gatherings, for specialty products or budget basics – we strive to serve as both your local neighborhood grocer and go-to solutions center for food and so much more thanks to our comprehensive offerings, standout service and community-centric approach.
Jewel Osco eagerly looks ahead to the future opportunities and innovations that will allow us to serve wonderful customers and strengthen communities for another 100 years to come. We sincerely thank all our loyal shoppers and dedicated team members who have made our first century in business so successful and impactful. Here’s to many more years of helping to feed families and support neighborhoods across Chicagoland together!
