SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing Commission File Number 0-10815 ------- (CHECK ONE): [ ] Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB [ ] FORM 11-K [ ] FORM 20-F [X] FORM 10-Q and Form 10-QSB [ ] Form N-SAR For Period Ended: April 1, 2000 ------------- [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q and Form 10-QSB [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR For the transition period ended; ___________________ Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein. If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the item(s) to which the notification relates: PART I REGISTRANT INFORMATION Full name of registrant UNIFIED WESTERN GROCERS, INC. ----------------------------- Former name if applicable CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD. ------------------------------------ Address of principal executive office: 5200 Sheila Street ------------------ City, State and Zip Code: Los Angeles, CA, 90040 ---------------------- 1 PART II RULES 12b-25 (b) and (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check appropriate box.) [X] (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense; [X] (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on forms 10-K, 10-KSB, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, 10-QSB, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and [ ] (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable. PART III NARRATIVE State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 10-KSB, 11-K, 20-F, 10-Q, 10-QSB, N-SAR or the transition report thereof could not be filed within the prescribed time period. 1. On September 27, 1999, the shareholders of Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and United Grocers, Inc. each approved a merger agreement. The merger closed on September 29, 1999. The company continues to be in the process combining the two separate accounting systems. The additional time is necessary to complete the financial information required for filing of the Form 10-Q. PART IV OTHER INFORMATION (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification. Richard J. Martin 323 264-5200 ----------------------------------------------- (NAME) (AREA CODE) (TELEPHONE NUMBER) (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s). [X] YES [ ] NO (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? [X] YES [ ] NO 2 If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. The second quarter of FY2000 will reflect the combined operations of Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and United Grocers, Inc. as well as the effects of operating losses related to retail stores acquired in October of 1999 in connection with the divestiture of stores by Albertson's, Inc. Losses in subsidiary operations and reduced operating profit revenue attributable to the performance of the former United Grocers, Inc. wholesale operations will result in a negative change in results of operations from the corresponding period of the prior year. However, patronage earnings will reflect an improvement over fiscal 2000 first quarter results. 3 UNIFIED WESTERN GROCERS, INC. Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Date May 16, 2000 By /s/ Richard J. Martin _________________ ___________________________________________ Richard J. Martin Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer ATTENTION Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal criminal violations (see 18 U.S.C. 1001). 4