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EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER FOR EXCHANGE
11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2005
OF
RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED , 1997
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON , 1997 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS
EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, IN WHICH CASE THE TERM
"EXPIRATION DATE" SHALL MEAN THE LATEST DATE AND TIME TO WHICH THE EXCHANGE
OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW
YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS:
UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
By Registered or Certified Mail: In Person:
United States Trust Company of New York United States Trust Company of New York
P.O. Box 843 111 Broadway
Cooper Station New York, New York 10006
New York, New York 10276 Attention: Lower Level Corporate Trust Window
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
By Hand or Overnight Courier: By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only):
United States Trust Company of New York (212) 420-6152
770 Broadway, 13th Floor
New York, New York 10003 Confirm Receipt of Notice of
Attention: Corporate Trust Unit Guaranteed Delivery by Telephone:
1-800-548-6565
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN THE ONE LISTED
ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
IS COMPLETED.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated ,
1997 (the "Prospectus"), of Ralphs Grocery Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which
together with the Prospectus constitutes the Company's offer (the "Exchange
Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its 11% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2005 (the "Exchange Notes") for each $1,000 principal amount of its
outstanding 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Private Notes").
Recipients of the Prospectus should read the requirements described in such
Prospectus with respect to eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in
the Prospectus.
The undersigned hereby tenders the Private Notes described in the box
entitled "Description of Private Notes" below pursuant to the terms and
conditions described in the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal. The
undersigned is the registered owner of all the Private Notes and the undersigned
represents that it has received from each beneficial owner of Private Notes
("Beneficial Owners") a duly completed and executed form of "Instruction to
Registered Holder from Beneficial Owner" accompanying this Letter of
Transmittal, instructing the undersigned to take the action described in this
Letter of Transmittal.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by a holder of Private Notes (i)
if certificates representing Private Notes are to be forwarded herewith, (ii) if
delivery of Private Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Exchange
Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the section of the Prospectus entitled "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering," or (iii) if a tender is made pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures in the section of the Prospectus entitled "The
Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
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The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the information
received from the beneficial owners is accurately reflected in the boxes
entitled "Beneficial Owner(s) -- Purchaser Status" and "Beneficial Owner(s) --
Residence."
Any beneficial owner whose Private Notes are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes
to tender should contact such registered holder of Private Notes promptly and
instruct such registered holder of Private Notes to tender on behalf of the
beneficial owner. If such beneficial owner wishes to tender on its own behalf,
such beneficial owner must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of
Transmittal and delivering its Private Notes, either make appropriate
arrangements to register ownership of the Private Notes in such beneficial
owner's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder of Private Notes. The transfer of record ownership may take considerable
time.
In order to properly complete this Letter of Transmittal, a holder of
Private Notes must (i) complete the box entitled "Description of Private Notes,"
(ii) complete the boxes entitled "Beneficial Owner(s) -- Purchaser Status" and
"Beneficial Owner(s) -- Residence," (iii) if appropriate, check and complete the
boxes relating to book-entry transfer, guaranteed delivery, Special Issuance
Instructions and Special Delivery Instructions, (iv) sign the Letter of
Transmittal by completing the box entitled "Sign Here" and (v) complete the
Substitute Form W-9. Each holder of Private Notes should carefully read the
detailed instructions below prior to completing the Letter of Transmittal.
Holders of Private Notes who desire to tender their Private Notes for
exchange and (i) whose Private Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who
cannot deliver their Private Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other
documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date, must tender the Private Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the section of the Prospectus entitled "The Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 2.
Holders of Private Notes who wish to tender their Private Notes for
exchange must complete columns (1) through (3) in the box below entitled
"Description of Private Notes," complete the boxes entitled and sign the box
below entitled "Sign Here." If only those columns are completed, such holder of
Private Notes will have tendered for exchange all Private Notes listed in column
(3) below. If the holder of Private Notes wishes to tender for exchange less
than all of such Private Notes, column (4) must be completed in full. In such
case, such holder of Private Notes should refer to Instruction 5.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIVATE NOTES
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(1) (2) (3) (4)
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
TENDERED
PRIVATE FOR
NOTE AGGREGATE EXCHANGE
NUMBER(S) PRINCIPAL (MUST
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED (ATTACH AMOUNT BE IN
HOLDER(S) OF PRIVATE NOTE(S), EXACTLY AS NAME(S) SIGNED LIST REPRESENTED INTEGRAL
APPEAR(S) ON PRIVATE NOTE CERTIFICATE(S) IF BY MULTIPLES
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK) NECESSARY) CERTIFICATE(S)(1) OF $1,000)(2)
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TOTAL PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF
NOTES TENDERED:
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1. Unless indicated in the column "Principal Amount Tendered For
Exchange," any tendering Holder of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2005 will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
principal amount represented by the column labelled "Aggregate
Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."
2. The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of 11%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005. All other tenders must be in
integral multiples of $1,000.
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[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED PRIVATE NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED PRIVATE NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS (AS HEREINAFTER
DEFINED) ONLY):
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Name of Tendering Institution:
Account Number:
Transaction Code Number:
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED PRIVATE NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
(FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
Name of Registered Holder of Private Note(s):
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Window Ticket Number (if available):
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
Account Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer):
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
THERETO.
Name:
Address:
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SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 8)
To be completed ONLY (i) if the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for
Private Notes, certificates for Private Notes in a principal amount not
exchanged for Exchange Notes, or Private Notes (if any) not tendered for
exchange, are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or
(ii) if Private Notes tendered by book-entry transfer which are not exchanged
are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC.
Issue to:
Name
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Address
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(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
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(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
Credit Private Notes not exchanged and delivered by book-entry transfer to
DTC account set forth below:
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(ACCOUNT NUMBER)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 8)
To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Private
Notes, certificates for Private Notes in a principal amount not exchanged for
Exchange Notes, or Private Notes (if any) not tendered for exchange, are to be
mailed or delivered (i) to someone other than the undersigned or (ii) to the
undersigned at an address other than the address shown below the undersigned's
signature.
Mail or deliver to:
Name
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
Address
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(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
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(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
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BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) -- RESIDENCE
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STATE OF DOMICILE/PRINCIPAL PLACE OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PRIVATE NOTES
BUSINESS OF HELD FOR ACCOUNT OF BENEFICIAL
EACH BENEFICIAL OWNER OF PRIVATE NOTES OWNER(S)
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BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) -- PURCHASER STATUS
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The beneficial owner of each of the Private Notes described herein is
(check the box that applies):
[ ] A "Qualified Institutional Buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act)
[ ] An "Institutional Accredited Investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1),
(2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act)
[ ] A non "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities
Act) that purchased the Private Notes outside the United States in
accordance with Rule 904 of the Securities Act
[ ] Other (describe)
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SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the offer by Ralphs Grocery Company, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus dated , 1997 (the "Prospectus") and this Letter of
Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together with the Prospectus
constitutes the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000
principal amount of its 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Exchange
Notes") for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Private Notes"), the undersigned hereby
tenders to the Company for exchange the Private Notes indicated above.
By executing this Letter of Transmittal and subject to and effective upon
acceptance for exchange of the Private Notes tendered for exchange herewith, the
undersigned will have irrevocably sold, assigned, transferred and exchanged, to
the Company, all right, title and interest in, to and under all of the Private
Notes tendered for exchange hereby, and hereby will have appointed the Exchange
Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge
that the Exchange Agent also acts as agent of the Company) of such holder of
Private Notes with respect to such Private Notes, with full power of
substitution to (i) deliver certificates representing such Private Notes, or
transfer ownership of such Private Notes on the account books maintained by DTC
(together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity), to the Company, (ii) present and deliver such Private Notes for
transfer on the books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and
otherwise exercise all rights and incidents of beneficial ownership with respect
to such Private Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed to be
irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned is
the owner; (ii) has a net long position within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under
the Securities Exchange Act as amended ("Rule 14e-4") equal to or greater than
the principal amount of Private Notes tendered hereby; (iii) the tender of such
Private Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 (to the extent that Rule 14e-4 is
applicable to such exchange); (iv) the undersigned has full power and authority
to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Private Notes and (v) that when
such Private Notes are accepted for exchange by the Company, the Company will
acquire good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims.
The undersigned will, upon receipt, execute and deliver
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any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be
necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the
Private Notes tendered for exchange hereby.
By tendering, the undersigned hereby further represents to the Company that
(i) the Exchange Notes to be acquired by the undersigned in exchange for the
Private Notes tendered hereby and any beneficial owner(s) of such Private Notes
in connection with the Exchange Offer will be acquired by the undersigned and
such beneficial owner(s) in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned,
(ii) the undersigned have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, (iii) the undersigned and
each beneficial owner acknowledge and agree that any person who is a
broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act or is participating in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the Exchange Notes acquired
by such person and cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Commission
set forth in certain no-action letters, (iv) the undersigned and each beneficial
owner understand that a secondary resale transaction described in clause (iii)
above and any resales of Exchange Notes obtained by the undersigned in exchange
for the Private Notes acquired by the undersigned directly from the Company
should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
securityholder information required by Item 507 or Item 508, as applicable, of
Regulation S-K of the Commission and (vi) neither the undersigned nor any
beneficial owner is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 under the
Securities Act, of the Company. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will
receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Private Notes that
were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company will be deemed to have
accepted for exchange, and to have exchanged, validly tendered Private Notes,
if, as and when the Company gives oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange
Agent. Tenders of Private Notes for exchange may be withdrawn at any time prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Withdrawal -- of Tenders" in the Prospectus. Any Private Notes tendered
by the undersigned and not accepted for exchange will be returned to the
undersigned at the address set forth above unless otherwise indicated in the box
above entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" as promptly as practicable after
the Expiration Date.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Company's acceptance of Private Notes
validly tendered for exchange pursuant to any one of the procedures described in
the section of the Prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer" and in the
instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned
and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange
Offer.
Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions," please return any Private Notes not tendered for exchange in the
name(s) of the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions," please mail any certificates for
Private Notes not tendered or exchanged (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's
signature(s). In the event that both "Special Issuance Instructions" and
"Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the certificates
representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Private Notes
accepted for exchange in the name(s) of, and return any Private Notes not
tendered for exchange or not exchanged to, the person(s) so indicated. The
undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the
"Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer
any Private Notes from the name of the holder of Private Note(s) thereof if the
Company does not accept for exchange any of the Private Notes so tendered for
exchange or if such transfer would not be in compliance with any transfer
restrictions applicable to such Private Note(s).
IN ORDER TO VALIDLY TENDER PRIVATE NOTES FOR EXCHANGE, HOLDERS OF PRIVATE
NOTES MUST COMPLETE, EXECUTE, AND DELIVER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Except as stated in the Prospectus, all authority herein conferred or
agreed to be conferred shall survive the death, incapacity, or dissolution of
the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be
binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the
undersigned. Except as otherwise stated in the Prospectus, this tender for
exchange of Private Notes is irrevocable.
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SIGN HERE
SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)
Dated: , 1997
Must be signed by the registered holder(s) of Private Notes exactly as
name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) representing the Private Notes or
on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become
registered Private Note holder(s) by certificates and documents
transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations
or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please
provide the following information. (See Instruction 6).
Name(s):
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(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title):
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Address:
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(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Principal place of business (if different from address listed above):
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(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.: (____)
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Tax Identification or Social Security Nos.:
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PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 1)
Authorized Signature:
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Dated:
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Name and Title:
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(PLEASE PRINT)
Name and Title:
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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. Except as otherwise provided below, all
signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an institution
which is (1) a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (2) a commercial bank or
trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or (3) an
"eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which is a member of one of the following
recognized Signature Guarantee Programs (an "Eligible Institution"):
a. The Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP)
b. The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP)
c. The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP)
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (i) if this
Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Private Notes
tendered herewith and such registered holder(s) have not completed the box
entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) if such Private Notes are
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. IN ALL OTHER CASES, ALL
SIGNATURES MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
2. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND PRIVATE NOTES; GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of
Private Notes (i) if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (ii) if
tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry
transfer or guaranteed delivery set forth in the section of the Prospectus
entitled "The Exchange Offer." Certificates for all physically tendered Private
Notes or any timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry
Confirmation"), as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this
Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof, and any other documents required by
this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its
address set forth on the cover of this Letter of Transmittal prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Holders of Private Notes who elect
to tender Private Notes and (i) whose Private Notes are not immediately
available or (ii) who cannot deliver the Private Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal or other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, must tender their Private
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the
Prospectus. Holders may have such tender effected if: (a) such tender is made
through an Eligible Institution; (b) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent has received from such Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, setting forth the name and address of the holder of such Private
Notes, the certificate numbers(s) of such Private Notes and the principal amount
of Private Notes tendered for exchange, stating that tender is being made
thereby and guaranteeing that, within five New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof),
together with the certificate(s) representing such Private Notes (or a
Book-Entry Confirmation), in proper form for transfer, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, will be deposited by such Eligible
Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (c) a properly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), as well as the certificate(s) for all
tendered Private Notes in proper form for transfer or a Book-Entry Confirmation,
together with any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, are
received by the Exchange Agent within five New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the Expiration Date.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF PRIVATE NOTES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE HOLDER. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BELOW, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE
ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. INSTEAD OF
DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND
DELIVERY SERVICE, PROPERLY INSURED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
NEITHER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL NOR ANY PRIVATE NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE
COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL
BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH
HOLDERS.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All
tendering holders of Private Notes, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile hereof, if applicable), waive any right to receive notice of the
acceptance of their Private Notes for exchange.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box entitled "Description
of Private Notes" above is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal
amounts of the Private Notes being tendered should be listed on a separate
signed schedule affixed hereto.
4. WITHDRAWALS. A tender of Private Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date by delivery of
written or facsimile notice of withdrawal to the Exchange Agent at the address
set forth on the cover of this Letter of Transmittal. To be effective, a notice
of withdrawal of Private Notes must (i) specify the name of the person who
tendered the Private Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the
Private Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and
aggregate principal amount of such Private Notes), and (iii) be signed by the
holder of Private Notes in the same manner as the original signature on the
Letter of Transmittal by which such Private Notes were tendered (including any
required signature guarantees). All questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any Private Notes so withdrawn will thereafter
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be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no
Exchange Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Private Notes so
withdrawn are validly retendered. Properly withdrawn Private Notes may be
retendered by following one of the procedures described in the section of the
Prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering" at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
5. PARTIAL TENDERS. Tenders of Private Notes will be accepted only in
integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount. If a tender for exchange is to be
made with respect to less than the entire principal amount of any Private Notes,
fill in the principal amount of Private Notes which are tendered for exchange in
column (4) of the box entitled "Description of Private Notes," as more fully
described in the footnotes thereto. In case of a partial tender for exchange, a
new certificate, in fully registered form, for the remainder of the principal
amount of the Private Notes, will be sent to the holders of Private Notes unless
otherwise indicated in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offer.
6. SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENT AND ENDORSEMENTS.
(a) The signature(s) of the holder of Private Notes on this Letter of
Transmittal must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the
Private Notes without alternation, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
(b) If tendered Private Notes are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
(c) If any tendered Private Notes are registered in different names on
several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal and any necessary or required
documents as there are different registrations or certificates.
(d) When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the holder of the Private
Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of Private Notes or bond
powers are required. If, however, Private Notes not tendered or not accepted,
are to be issued or returned in the name of a person other than the holder of
Private Notes, then the Private Notes transmitted hereby must be endorsed or
accompanied by a properly completed bond power, in a form satisfactory to the
Company, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the holder of Private
Notes appear(s) on the Private Notes. Signatures on such Private Notes or bond
powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (unless signed by an
Eligible Institution).
(e) If this Letter of Transmittal or Private Notes or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the
Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must
be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
(f) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder of Private Notes listed, the Private Notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by a properly completed bond power, in either case signed by such
registered holder exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder of Private
Notes appear(s) on the certificates. Signatures on such Private Notes or bond
powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (unless signed by an
Eligible Institution).
7. TRANSFER TAXES. Except as set forth in this Instruction 7, the Company
will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Private Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any
reason other than the exchange of the Private Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemptions therefrom is not
submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes
will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
8. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If the Exchange Notes are to
be issued, or if any Private Notes not tendered for exchange are to be issued or
sent to someone other than the holder of Private Notes or to an address other
than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed. Holders of Private Notes tendering Private Notes by
book-entry transfer may request that Private Notes not accepted be credited to
such account maintained at DTC as such holder of Private Notes may designate.
9. IRREGULARITIES. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), compliance with conditions, acceptance and
withdrawal of tendered Private Notes will be determined by the Company in its
sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The Company
reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Private Notes not properly
tendered or any Private Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the
right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to
particular Private Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Private Notes must be
cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Although the Company
intends to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders
of Private Notes, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person
shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of
Private Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Private Notes received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive,
amend or modify certain of the specified conditions as described under "The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions" in the Prospectus in the case of any Private Notes
tendered (except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus).
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11. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED PRIVATE NOTES. Any tendering
Holder whose Private Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should
contact the Exchange Agent at the address listed below for further instructions:
UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
P.O. BOX 843
COOPER STATION
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10276
ATTENTION: CORPORATE TRUST SERVICES
12. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Requests for information
or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal may be
directed to the Exchange Agent at the address or telephone number set forth on
the cover of this Letter of Transmittal.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF, IF
APPLICABLE) TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES, OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY OR THE
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY, AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED
BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION
DATE.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under current federal income tax law, a holder of Private Notes whose
tendered Private Notes are accepted for exchange may be subject to backup
withholding unless the holder provides the Company (as payor), through the
Exchange Agent, with either (i) such holder's correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 attached hereto, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such holder of Private Notes
is awaiting a TIN) and that (A) the holder of Private Notes has not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (B)
the Internal Revenue Service has notified the holder of Private Notes that he or
she is no longer subject to backup withholding; or (ii) an adequate basis for
exemption from backup withholding. If such holder of Private Notes is an
individual, the TIN is such holder's social security number. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the
holder of Private Notes may be subject to certain penalties imposed by the
Internal Revenue Service.
Certain holders of Private Notes (including, among others, all corporations
and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. Exempt holders of Private Notes should indicate their
exempt status on Substitute Form W-9. A foreign individual may qualify as an
exempt recipient by submitting to the Exchange Agent a properly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (which the Exchange Agent will provide upon
request) signed under penalty of perjury, attesting to the holder's exempt
status. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9 (the "Guidelines") for additional instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Company is required to withhold 31% of
any payment made to the holder of Private Notes or other payee. Backup
withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income
tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the
amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
The holder of Private Notes is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN
(e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the record
owner of the Private Notes. If the Private Notes are held in more than one name
or are not held in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines
for additional guidance regarding which number to report.
INSTRUCTION TO REGISTERED HOLDER
FROM BENEFICIAL OWNER
OF 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2005 OF RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated
, 1997 (the "Prospectus") of Ralphs Grocery Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the
"Letter of Transmittal"), that together constitute the Company's offer (the
"Exchange Offer"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
This will instruct you, the registered holder, as to the action to be taken
by you relating to the Exchange Offer with respect to the 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Private Notes") held by you for the account of
the undersigned.
The aggregate face amount of the Private Notes held by you for the account
of the undersigned is (fill in amount):
$
----------------- of the Private Notes.
With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you
(check appropriate box):
[ ] To TENDER the following Private Notes held by you for the account of
the undersigned (insert principal amount of Private Notes to be tendered, if
any):
$
----------------- of the Private Notes.
[ ] NOT to TENDER any Private Notes held by you for the account of the
undersigned.
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If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Private Notes held by you
for the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are authorized (a)
to make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its signature
below, hereby makes to you), the representations and warranties contained in the
Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the undersigned as a
beneficial owner of the Private Notes, including but not limited to the
representations that (i) the undersigned's principal residence is in the state
of (fill in state) ------------------, (ii) the undersigned is acquiring the
Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned, (iii) the
undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate
in the distribution of Exchange Notes, (iv) the undersigned acknowledges that
any person who is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act or is
participating in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange
Notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with a secondary resale
transaction of the Exchange Notes acquired by such person and cannot rely on the
position of the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in
certain no-action letters (See the section of the Prospectus entitled "The
Exchange Offer -- Resale of the Exchange Notes"), (v) the undersigned
understands that a secondary resale transaction described in clause (iv) above
and any resales of Exchange Notes obtained by the undersigned in exchange for
the Private Notes acquired by the undersigned directly from the Company should
be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
securityholder information required by Item 507 or Item 508, if applicable, of
Regulation S-K of the Commission, (vi) the undersigned is not an "affiliate," as
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company, and (vii) if the
undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own
account in exchange for Private Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it
will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act; (b) to agree,
on behalf of the undersigned, as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal; and (c)
to take such other action as necessary under the Prospectus or the Letter of
Transmittal to effect the valid tender of Private Notes.
The purchaser status of the undersigned is (check the box that applies):
[ ] A "Qualified Institutional Buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
the Securities Act)
[ ] An "Institutional Accredited Investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act)
[ ] A non "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities
Act) that purchased the Private Notes outside the United States
in accordance with Rule 904 of the Securities Act
[ ] Other (describe)
SIGN HERE
Name of Beneficial Owner(s):
Signature(s):
Name(s) (please print):
Address:
Principal place of business (if different from address listed above):
Telephone Number(s):
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number(s):
Date:
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- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S NAME:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE
Social Security Number
FORM W-9
PART I - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR ---------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND OR
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DAT-
ING BELOW.
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER Employer Identification Number
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
---------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II -- CERTIFICATIONS -- Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my current taxpayer identification number
(or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me) and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to
backup withholding.
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTION -- You must cross out item (2) in Part 2 above if
you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding
because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However,
if after being notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding
you receive another notification from the IRS stating that you are no longer
subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
PART III -- Awaiting TIN [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name _________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(Including Zip Code)
Signature ____________________________________________ Date __________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENT MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE
REVIEW THE ENCLOSED "GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9" FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU
CHECK THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYOR'S NAME: UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a Taxpayer Identification Number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a Taxpayer Identification Number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office
or (b) I intend to mail or deliver such an application in the near future.
I understand that if I do not provide a Taxpayer Identification Number
with sixty (60) days, 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter
will be withheld until I provide such a number.
SIGNATURE ___________________________________________ DATE __________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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