Mass Market Retailers back issues from August 2000:
INDUSTRY NEWS.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... FILINGS BY PATHMARK: Pathmark Stores Inc. and five of its affiliates have filed for Chapter 11 protection in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del. Chase Manhattan Bank Corp. will provide a $75 million debtor-in-possession financing facility and $600 million of exit financing. ...
Wal-Mart Comes to England.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000; ... BRISTOL, England -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has come to England. The first Asda/Wal-Mart Supercentre opened last week in this industrial city in the west of England across the Severn River and Bristol Channel from Wales. And by every reckoning it is everything that the United ...
Kmart Set To Institute Big Changes.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TROY, Mich. -- Stung by a disappointing financial performance so far this year, Kmart Corp. has begun making sweeping changes in its operations. At the heart of the reforms will be 72 store closings, a dramatic reduction in inventory and a $670 million investment in information ...
Drug Emporium to Sell Web Unit.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... POWELL, Ohio -- Drug Emporium Inc. has agreed to sell its DrugEmporium.com subsidiary to HealthCentral.com. "This deal will allow Drug Emporium to maintain an on-line presence while refocusing its efforts on its brick and mortar business," says Drug Emporium chairman and chief ...
MONEY NEWS.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 07, 2000 ... <Pre> SCOREBOARD QuarterDollar% RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Duane Reade 6/24 243.5 mil+ 16.7 Office Depot(1) 6/24 2.63 bil + 12.0 Rite Aid(2) 5/27 3.78 bil + 4.1 Seaway Foodtown ...
Grand Union in Bind.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... WAYNE, N.J. -- Grand Union Co., which has until September 1 to come up with a new business plan covering the balance of fiscal year 2001, is considering everything from the divestiture of certain assets to the sale of the entire chain. Some observers believe that the chain may ...
Ahold USA Posts Sales, Profit Gains.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Royal Ahold USA saw sales and earnings grow solidly in the 16 weeks ended April 23. Operating profits for this year's first quarter advanced 17.6% to $313.7 million on a 5% increase in sales to $6.4 billion. All of Ahold's American ...
A&P Enjoys Turnaround In Quarter.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P scored a $25 million earnings turnaround during the 16 weeks ended June 17, reflecting lower charges related to its restructuring efforts and the benefits of those programs. The chain notched net income of $5.58 million during the first quarter of fiscal ...
Bradlees Cuts Loss.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... BRAINTREE, Mass. -- Bradlees Inc., despite several negative operating trends, started the fiscal 2000 year off with slightly less red ink. The Northeastern discount store chain reported a net loss of $23.5 million over the 13 weeks ended April 29, compared with $24.4 million in ...
Delhaize America Net Off 13%.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... SALISBURY, N.C. -- Unfavorable operating trends and higher interest costs combined to erode Delhaize America's bottom line in the second quarter of fiscal 2000. Net income at the former Food Lion Inc. declined 13.4% over the 12 weeks ended June 17 to $59.2 million, despite a ...
Supervalu Income Up 25% Before Charges.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Excluding unusual gains in the year-earlier period, Supervalu Inc. started its fiscal 2001 off with a 25.4% rise in profits. Net earnings at the food wholesaler/retailer reached $70 million over the 16 weeks ended June 17, up from the $55.8 million earned before ...
E-tailing Costs Hurt Drug Emporium.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... POWELL, Ohio -- Drug Emporium Inc. opened the fiscal 2001 year with a loss, as it continued to be hurt by the start-up costs of its E-commerce venture. The company reported an $8.6 million net loss over the three months ended May 27, reversing $224,000 in net profits a year earlier ....
Kmart's Conaway Bold, Blunt and Determined.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000; ... Chuck Conaway, the new chairman and chief executive officer of Kmart Corp., has wasted no time in taking action to improve the performance of the country's second-largest discounter. Conaway, who assumed the top job after Floyd Hall retired in May, has announced a series of moves designed ...
Wal-Mart Cheer Is Asda Chant.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000; ... Any retailer who refuses to take the newly opened Asda/ Wal-Mart Supercentre in Bristol, England--or the alliance behind it--seriously, does so at his own peril. The new 93,000-square-foot Supercentre, among the largest mass retail stores yet seen in the United Kingdom, is ...
Global NEWS.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TESCO AND IVILLAGE: Tesco PLC, the United Kingdom's largest supermarket operator, is partnering with IVillage to expand the latter's network of web sites for women into the United Kingdom and Ireland. Tesco sells baby products, books and CDs from its web site and is seeking to attract more ...
Canada's E-Sales Lag.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TORONTO -- Canadians log on to the Internet more frequently than their neighbors south of the border, yet per capita on-line retail sales in Canada are only 40% of those in the United States. With broadband penetration being almost twice as prevalent in Canada as in the United States that ...
In Canada Sears Posts Big Gains.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TORONTO -- Sears Canada Inc. sustained its strong momentum with double-digit growth in sales and earnings during the second quarter of fiscal 2000, which ended July 1. The retailer reported revenues of $1.56 billion, a 10.2% increase, while profits rose 15% to $45.9 million. ...
Carrefour SA to Buy Remaining GB Stake for $628 million.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... Paris -- Carrefour SA, the world's second-largest mass retailer, will acquire the remaining stake it does not own in Belgian supermarket chain GB for 670 million euros ($628 million). The hypermarket operator, which acquired a 27.5% stake in GB when it purchased rival Promodes SA last ...
Ahold Plans Fall Debut in Slovakia.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Royal Ahold NV will continue its European expansion program by entering Slovakia this fall, when it will debut in the nation's capital, Bratislava. The global supermarketer now operates over 150 stores in the neighboring Czech Republic under the ...
Wal-Mart to Expand in Germany.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... WUPPERTAL, Germany -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to expand its presence in Germany by opening 50 Supercenters over the next three years. The company is also considering entering new markets in Europe. The Financial Times recently reported that Germany's largest retailer, Metro ...
MARKETING NEWS.(cosmetics)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... LIPSTICKS/LIP LINERS: L'Oreal has announced plans to introduce Colour Riche Luminous Lipsticks and Colour Riche Anti-Feathering Lip Liners, products designed to provide fade resistant colors. The 0.13-ounce lipsticks sell for a suggested retail price of $8.75, while the 0.0007-ounce lip ...
Martha Stewart Everyday to Offer 350 Items on Internet.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Martha Stewart Everyday, the exclusive home and garden product line that has played an important role in Kmart Corp.'s turn-around, is now available for sale on the Internet. A Martha Stewart Everyday on-line store, featuring about 350 items, has been ...
Opportunities in D-I-Y Multiply.(do-it-yourself products industry)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000; ... NEW YORK -- While hardware stores and home improvement chains remain the destinations of choice for consumers who seek tools and other hardware and household items, promising sales opportunities in the category exist for mass retailers as well. Among the factors that are helping ...
P&G Ready To Relaunch Pantene Line.(Procter and Gamble)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Procter & Gamble Co. is restaging its market-leading Pantene brand as part of an effort to change the way consumers view the hair care category. "The key for us is really to transform the category from what today is frankly a commodity business into a real beauty ...
Top Three Intros Cited By NACDS.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW ORLEANS -- Three new products were chosen as the best of the more than 200 items featured in a special showcase display at the recent National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace 2000. The "best of" products represent three key drug store categories. Crystal ...
Flu Hits Early, Fades Fast; Sales Curtailed.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- A flu season that hit early and faded fast, compounded by the debut of two prescription medications, has produced a disappointing first half for the over-the-counter cough/cold category. Unlike 1999, when the flu and cold season extended well into March and drove ...
Saline Sprays a Bright Spot.(saline nasal sprays)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Although the pace of growth has slowed in the wake of a weak cold and flu season this year, nasal products remain one of the bright spots in the cough/cold category. Helping sustain that growth is proven product efficacy: sprays work quickly to relieve congestion. In ...
Line Extensions Are Spotlighted at Marketplace.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- The recent National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Marketplace Conference in New Orleans did not showcase a host of new over-the-counter cough/cold remedies. However, a number of manufacturers did offer extensions to established lines, while other items that debuted a ...
Bayer Debuts Aleve Cold and Sinus.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Competition in the cold and allergy relief segment is heating up with Bayer Corp.'s introduction of a combination analgesic and decongestant under its Aleve brand. Aleve Cold and Sinus combines two ingredients, the pain reliever naproxen sodium, and an ...
Interactive Candy, Chocolate, Intense Flavors Set Pace.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Interactive candy, which can be played with as well as eaten, is hot. Chocolate is bouncing back after lagging behind nonchocolate candy in recent years because of consumer concerns about fat content. Intense flavors, in the form of strong mints for adults and sour candy for ...
Intros Appeal to Children's Offbeat Tastes.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Candy manufacturers are directing their new product development efforts to the sometimes offbeat tastes of children. The result has been an increased emphasis on candy with play value as well as items that appeal to youngsters precisely because they "gross out" adults. ...
M&M's Set To Shift Tag From `Plain'.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... HACKETTSTOWN, N.J -- One of the best known candies in the industry is changing its name after 46 years. The M&M/Mars division of Mars Inc. has announced plans to call its Plain M&M's candies Milk Chocolate M&M's instead. The company intends to support the name change with a $10 ...
Solid Easter Sales Good Sign for Year.(candy and chocolate sales)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- The strong candy sales posted by mass retailers during the Easter holiday period have raised hopes about this year's seasonal business. That is good news for both vendors and retailers in the category, because sales associated with four major holidays--Valentine's ...
Strong Mint Craze Continues.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Consumers' appetite for strong mints shows no signs of abating, and manufacturers are responding with a barrage of new products. Credit for launching the trend is generally given to Altoids, which sell in tins and are billed as "curiously strong." Made by Callard & ...
Grocery Calls to Drug, Discount.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW ORLEANS -- Consumers' desire for one-stop shopping has made food and beverages a growth opportunity for both discount and drug retailers. And the top chains in both trade classes have moved aggressively to exploit the segment's potential. In the discount realm Kmart Corp ....
Kellogg Creates `Breakfastland'.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Kellogg Co. is trying to revive the cereal category by bringing to retailers a new merchandising approach. The concept uses colorful fixturing and eye-catching overhead signage to create a departmentalized power aisle called Breakfastland. The overhead signage ...
Snacking Takes on Greater Importance.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- As the lifestyles and eating habits of Americans have continued to change over the last two decades, snacking has become increasingly prevalent, not just as a supplement to regular meals but as a substitute for them. Although potato chips remain the largest segment ...
Snack Bar Category Has New Importance.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Consumers' continuing shift away from preparing and eating full meals and the resulting desire for quick, portable food items has been a major factor in the growth of the snack bar category. The bar sector now accounts for nearly $1.3 billion in annual mass market ...
PEOPLE NEWS.(industry personnel changes)(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... LANDER PROMOTIONS: Lander Co. has announced the promotion of Gerard Matthews to the new position of executive director of marketing. In his new role Matthews will be responsible for the marketing direction and strategy of the company's Lander brand, Exclusive brand and store brand ...
Canadians Honor Fergusson.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TORONTO -- Dave Fergusson, who has been president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Canada Inc. since January 1996, was named Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year by the Retail Council of Canada at its annual convention here. Under Fergusson's direction, Wal-Mart ...
Wal-Mart's Soderquist Retires.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000; ... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Besides its vast scale and success, one of the most distinctive things about Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is its corporate culture. Since the death of founder Sam Walton no one in the organization has been more active in maintaining and propagating that culture and spirit than ...
Winn-Dixie Tabs Ross, Byrum VPs.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn. Dixie Stores Inc. has designated two executives as corporate vice presidents. Kellie Ross has joined the company as treasurer and vice president of strategic planning. Ross most recently served as audit manager with Arthur Andersen LLP in ...
Family Dollar Names Barkus Operations VP.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores Inc. has promoted Bruce Barkus to senior vice president of store operations. In his new post he has responsibility for operating more than 3,500 discount stores that the company has in its 39-state territory. Barkus previously served as ...
Kmart Appoints Rots Exec VP of Human Resources.(Brief Article)
Aug 07, 2000 ... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart Corp. has appointed David Rots executive vice president of human resources and administration. Rots, who fills a post previously held by Warren Cooper, reports directly to Kmart chairman and chief executive officer Chuck Conaway. "Building a ...
INDUSTRY NEWS.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... RETAIL POWER PLAN: Safeway Inc. and Albertson's Inc. are participating in a program to conserve energy during the current electrical power shortage throughout California. As part of the plan, which was launched by Governor Gray Davis and the California Grocers Association, both companies ...
Target.com Is Widening Assortment.
Aug 21, 2000 ... MINNEAPOLIS--Target Corp. is significantly expanding the range of merchandise that is available through its on-line arm target, com. The nation's third-largest discounter has added thousands of products to its web site, including an apparel collection featuring items from such ...
Retail Sales in July Exceed Expectations.(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- While overall retail sales accelerated last month, surpassing economists' forecasts, results were uneven across different industry sectors and from chain to chain. The 0.7% increase in retail sales reported by the Commerce Department was the largest gain in five ...
Kmarts New Course.
Aug 21, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Wall Street reacted with cautious approval to the strategic plan unveiled by Kmart Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Chuck Conaway at a meeting here with investors and analysts. The meeting was held on the same day the discount chain announced its second quarter ...
Questrom Set to Take On Penney.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... NEW YORK-- Turnaround expert Allen Questrom is due to take the reins at J.C. Penney Co. in a couple of weeks, and industry observers are eager to see what steps he will take to improve the struggling company's drug store and department store businesses. Questrom, 60, will assume ...
Buying Group.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... DURHAM, N.C. -- Seven regional drug chains have formed a buying group to leverage their purchasing power for imported and seasonal products. The Chain Drug Consortium includes Brooks Pharmacy, Drug Emporium Inc., Duane Reade, Farmacias El Amal, Happy Harry's Inc. Kerr Drug Inc ....
Penn Traffic Opens 9 Supers in Vermont, New Hampshire.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Penn Traffic Co. has opened nine P&C supermarkets in Vermont and New Hampshire after regaining operating control of these stores earlier this year. The retailer unveiled six outlets in Colchester, North Clarendon, Randolph, Waterbury, White River Junction and ...
Kmart's BlueLight.com Expands.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... Dedicated `web stores' are being added for Route 66 and jr-s.com SAN FRANCISCO -- BlueLight.com, Kmart Corp.'s fast-growing on-line shopping venue, is expanding both its product offerings and its financial base. The E-commerce firm has added dedicated "web stores" ...
More Chains Join B-to-B Exchange.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... LONDON -- Eight retailers have recently joined the World-Wide Retail Exchange (WWRE), bringing to 30 the number of member firms in the global business-to-business exchange. The latest European additions include Denmark's Dansk Supermarket; Finnish retailer Kesko Oy; Dixons Group ...
MONEY.(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... SCOREBOARD <Pre> Net QuarterDollar%Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) CVS 7/1 4.44bil+ 13.3186.5 mil ...
Net Falls 2% At Duane Reade in Qtr.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade generated strong earnings growth on a pro forma basis, but recorded slight decreases on an actual basis for the quarter and half ended June 24. Second quarter net income of $4.97 million dipped 2% from the $5.07 million reported for the 1999 period when ...
CVS Profits Rise 14.7% On a 13.3% Sales Gain.(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. posted double-digit gains in sales and earnings for the quarter and half ended July 1. Net earnings for the 13 weeks advanced 14.7% to $186.5 million on a 13.3% increase in sales to $4.94 billion. Same-store results improved 12.2%, stoked by an ...
Wal-Mart on Target.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The quarter ended July 31 is generally expected to yield a bumper crop of disappointing results for major retailers. But in a performance that will very likely stand out from the pack, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. saw earnings rise in line with analysts' expectations. Still, ...
Mass Retail Stocks Mixed in July.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... NEW YORK -- Moving in lockstep with other Wall Street equities, mass retailing stocks ended last month on a mixed note in subdued trading. In the four weeks ended July 26, 2000, MMR's discount chain store index rose 2.2% to 3,247.2. Yet in the same period MMR's chain drug stock ...
Fleming Sees Loss Widen in 2nd Quarter.(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... DALLAS -- Although its bottom-line loss widened, Fleming Cos. scored a 45.1% gain in second quarter earnings after adjusting for the effects of a new strategic plan. The giant food wholesaler/retailer reported adjusted net earnings of $14 million over the 12 weeks ended July 8, ...
Beware Dollar Stores.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000; ... Long written off as purveyors of cheap, low-quality products and closeout merchandise, dollar stores are emerging as a force to be reckoned with in mass market retailing. The likes of Dollar General Corp. and Family Dollar Stores Inc., which have grown into multibillion-dollar companies by ...
At Retail Price Isn't Everything.
Aug 21, 2000; ... One of the fascinating and meaningful differences between supermarket operators in the United States and their counterparts throughout much of the world is this: The typical U.S. supermarket operator usually goes to market with one basic store format, though often in several sizes, ...
GLOBAL NEWS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... SUPPLY CHAIN UNIT: The Retail Council of Canada has formed a supply chain enabling committee to increase efficiency in Canada's business-to-business retail supply chain. The new 10-member committee is comprised of senior industry representatives who will share ideas, develop standards and ...
Building Loyalty Key in Canada.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... TORONTO --Just as they are in the United States, enthusiastic employees are becoming as important as the right merchandise and appropriate pricing are in building customer loyalty here, speakers at the Retail Council of Canada's 2000 annual conference said earlier this summer. ...
Loblaws Registers an Impressive Second Quarter Gain.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Aug 21, 2000 ... TORONTO -- Loblaw Cos. wrapped up the second quarter of fiscal 2000 ended June 17 with an impressive 23% rise in net earnings to $95 million (Canadian). The strong performance was driven by sales of $4.7 billion, which were up 10% from the comparable year-earlier period. The ...
Tesco Speeds Up Entry into Taiwan.(Brief Article)
Aug 21, 2000 ... TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Tesco PLC, the largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, plans to step up the pace of its entry into Taiwan. The food retailer, which is expanding its business beyond its established markets in South Korea and Thailand, plans to roll out 20 stores in ...