Mass Market Retailers back issues from August 2007:
Downtown L.A. debut.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Ralphs division opened)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... DOWNTOWN L.A. DEBUT: Kroger Co.'s Ralphs division has opened downtown Los Angeles' first modern, full-service supermarket in more than 50 years. The debut last month of the 50,000-square-foot Ralphs Fresh Fare unit, ...
Photo winners named.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Safeway Inc. named the winners )(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... PHOTO WINNERS NAMED: Safeway Inc. has named the winners of its O Organics photo contest. Images of 11-month-old Matthew Zipper of Portland, Ore., and 2-year-old Presley Parsons of Austin, Texas, ...
Grocers agreement.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Unified Grocers Inc. acquires Associated Grocers Inc. )(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... GROCERS AGREEMENT: Unified Grocers Inc. has agreed to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Associated Grocers Inc. The agreement follows the May announcement of a letter of ...
New Okla. banners.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... NEW OKLA. BANNERS: Nine Oklahoma supermarkets and three fuel centers have opened ...
Wal-Mart enters India.(SPOTLIGHT)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. forms a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises )
Aug 13, 2007; ... NEW DELHI -- After months of negotiations Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has signed an agreement with Bharti Enterprises to form a joint venture that will give the world's biggest retailer entry into one of the largest developing markets. The financial terms of the deal, which faces political ...
Stage is set for Tesco's U.S. debut.(NEWS)(opening convenience store in Las Vegas )
Aug 13, 2007 ... CHESHUNT, England -- Tesco PLC, arguably the world's most exciting and innovative retailer, has formally announced its intention to enter the United States by opening its first convenience store in Las Vegas in November. The 10,000-square-foot Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market ...
Whole Foods fights FTC in court.(NEWS)(Whole Foods Market Inc.)(United States. Federal Trade Commission)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... WASHINGTON -- Regulators at the Federal Trade Commission and lawyers for Whole Foods Market Inc. squared off in federal court earlier this month over whether Whole Foods' pending takeover of Wild Oats Markets Inc. would significantly lessen competition in what the FTC calls "the premium ...
Supers face new test as Amazon tries hand at perishables.(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... LOS ANGELES -- Amazon.com has launched a pilot program to sell fresh food, including vegetables, eggs and fish. The initial AmazonFresh program will deliver to consumers in the Seattle, Wash., suburb of Mercer Island and will include a pickup service in the suburbs of Bellevue ...
Retailers square off over Lucky banner.(News)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... BERKELEY, Calif. -- A northern California supermarket chain is challenging Save Mart Supermarkets' plans to convert 72 former Albertsons stores in the area to the Lucky banner. Berkeley-based Grocery Outlet Inc. claims the right to the Lucky name based on a 2006 trademark ...
Walgreens lays groundwork in Hawaii.(News)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. is constructing Oahu, Hawaii's first drive-through pharmacies as the retailer establishes a presence in that state. The two stores will be the chain's second and third stores in Hawaii when they open next year, after the first opens in November at ...
Grocers avoid strike in Calif.(News)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... LOS ANGELES -- The three largest supermarket operators in Southern California averted a strike last month after their unionized workers agreed to a new contract. Members of seven local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) representing about 65,000 workers ...
Chain will not sue.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... CHAIN WILL NOT SUE: Wal-Mart will not sue Tucson, Adz, over its Supercenter ordinance. The law subjects development applications for the combination stores to special reviews. Wal-Mart collected nearly 22,000 signatures to put a repeal of the statute ...
Price cut program.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... PRICE CUT PROGRAM: Wal-Mart has unveiled a program to drive price cuts on key shopping items. Late last month the chain dropped prices on more than 16,000 products across all stores, with a focus on top brands for back-to-school needs. The retailer also launched an ad campaign to address ...
Office space leased.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... OFFICE SPACE LEASED: Seeking to invigorate its apparel sales, Wal-Mart has leased more than 46,000 square feet of office space in New York City's garment center for 10 years. Several other chains that sell clothing maintain offices in the district to spot trends and stay on top of fashion ....
B-T-S joint venture.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... B-T-S JOINT VENTURE: Wal-Mart joined Crayola supplier Binney & Smith Inc. to enlist school teachers as back-to-school shopping consultants this month. On August 4 teachers sporting green Crayola aprons helped shoppers in the school supplies section at nearly all ...
Another strong quarter for SDM.(SPOTLIGHT)(Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... TORONTO -- Continued impressive top-line growth combined with an improved sales mix to drive net earnings up nearly 19% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 at Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. The results exceeded analysts' expectations. The bottom line for the 12 weeks ended June 16 ...
Operating results give Safeway confidence.(MONEY)(revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Second quarter net slipped 11.4% below prior-year levels at Safeway Inc., as a strong operating performance was overwhelmed by the impact of a significant tax refund in the 2006 period. Safeway generated net income of $218.2 million, or 49 cents per ...
Family Dollar profits advance 6.1%.(MONEY)(Family Dollar Stores Inc. revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Net income grew in the single digits during the third quarter at Family Dollar Stores Inc., as a lower effective tax rate helped offset extraordinary litigation expense related to a shareholder lawsuit. The bottom line for the quarter ended June 2 advanced 6.1% ...
Scoreboard.(MONEY NEWS)(Statistical table)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... <Pre> SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERSEnded Sales Change drugstore.com (1)07/01 110.4 mil +7.8 A&P (2) 06/16 1.99 bil +0.4 Safeway (3) 06/16 ...
Biggest gainers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... <Pre> BIGGEST GAINERSClose Change % Stock 08/03/07 vs. 06/29/07 Change Office Depot 35.03 +4.73 +15.6 Ruddick32.48 +2.36 ...
Biggest losers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... <Pre> BIGGEST LOSERSClose Change % Stock 08/03/07 vs. 06/29/07 Change Costplus5.86 -2.62 -30.9 Dillard's 25.62 -10.31 -28.7 CircuitCity ...
Most active.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... <Pre> MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs.1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 08/03/07Shares6/29/07 Amerisource 13,0736.3+192.1 WholeFoods ...
Rite Aid results exceed analysts' expectations.(MONEY)(revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- With its acquisition of more than 1,750 Eckerd and Brooks stores still not on the books, Rite Aid Corp. saw earnings more than double over prior-year levels for the 13 weeks ended June 2--exceeding analysts' expectations. The strong first quarter ...
Fred's invests in store base.(MONEY)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MEMPHIS -- First quarter net income increased at Fred's Inc. as tepid same-store sales growth combined with largely static operating trends to limit bottom-line growth. The company did meet Wall Street's earnings projection, however. Net income for the 13 weeks ended May 5 rose ...
Kroger earnings increase 10%.(MONEY)(revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... CINCINNATI -- Bolstered by steadily expanding sales, first quarter net income rose nearly 10% at Kroger Co. despite a charge related to a labor action at a distribution center used by the grocer. Although the company maintained its earnings guidance for the full fiscal year, the ...
Diverse factors play part in Big Lots gains.(MONEY)(revenue report)(Financial report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Solid same-store sales growth, improved expense leverage and a jump in interest and investment income all enabled Big Lots Inc. to double its income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, taking Wall Street by surprise in the process. With the ...
Divestitures lift Weis bottom line.(MONEY)(Weis Markets Inc. revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Buoyed by a gain on property sales, Weis Markets Inc. chalked up a double-digit increase in second quarter earnings. The Mid-Atlantic food retailer saw net income climb 17.2% to $18.2 million for the 13 weeks ended June 30, as sales increased 3% to $578.8 ...
Wal-Mart recommits to price leadership.(OPINION)
Aug 13, 2007; ... A wave of populism is sweeping Wal-Mart. As high gasoline prices and disruptions in the credit markets have led to a tightening of economic conditions, the discounter has responded with a series of moves designed to help its customers cope. Wal-Mart recommitted itself to doing ...
U.S. supers stuck in doldrums.(Australian newspaper depicts American supermarkets in a bad light)(Viewpoint essay)
Aug 13, 2007; ... A recent article in a Sydney, Australia, newspaper was sharply critical of both the U.S. supermarket industry and America's Federal Trade Commission. The former came under attack for practicing pedestrian, unimaginative and unappealing retailing. The latter was criticized for ...
Differentiation more important than ever.(variations in supermarket shopping experience as unique selling point)(Viewpoint essay)
Aug 13, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Food retailers who view the recent move by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to trim back Supercenter expansion as an opportunity to relax should think otherwise, warns veteran grocery industry consultant and store designer Joseph Bona. "Retailers shouldn't rest on their laurels, ...
There's a case to be made for preserving status quo on China.(OPINION)(Viewpoint essay)
Aug 13, 2007; ... What started as a hum is now a full cry on the floors of both the House and the Senate. "Protect American industry and stop the illegal government subsidies to China's manufacturers" might sound good as a C-Span sound bite, but as a policy it would be dangerous for America. ...
Auchan to expand.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... AUCHAN TO EXPAND: Auchan SA, the privately held French retailer, plans to double its current base of 17 stores in China over the next two years. As many as eight units will debut this year and 10 are planned for 2008 ....
Morrison tabs exec.(GLOBAL NEWS)(appointment of Ian Gibson )(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MORRISON TABS EXEC: William Morrison Supermarkets PLC, the fourth-largest supermarket operator in the United Kingdom, has named Sir Ian Gibson nonexecutive deputy chairman. He will succeed Sir Ken Morrison as nonexecutive chairman when the latter retires at a date no later than March ...
Wumart talks reopen.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Wumart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... Wumart Stores Inc., the largest supermarket operator in Beijing, has reportedly reopened talks to sell off a stake in the company. According to the South China Post, the retailer would ...
U.K. union against bid.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Unite acquired J. Sainsbury PLC)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... A United Kingdom union group, Unite, has urged the government to block a possible acquisition of J. Sainsbury PLC, by Delta Two, the state investment fund of Qatar. Delta Two, which already holds a ...
Qatari investment fund makes bid to acquire Sainsbury.(GLOBAL)(Delta (Two) Ltd. made an offer for J. Sainsbury PLC.)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... LONDON -- Delta (Two) Ltd., an investment fund based in Qatar, has made an offer valued at about 10.6 billion [pounds sterling] ($21.7 billion) for J. Sainsbury PLC. Delta, which already owns a 25% stake in Sainsbury, pledged to invest about 3.5 billion [pounds sterling] to ...
Global hot spots there for taking.(SPOTLIGHT)
Aug 13, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Globalization in the retail industry is exploding as the largest players pursue growth by pushing relentlessly into new markets and increasing their shares in developing nations. In a recent report, A.T. Kearny, a global strategic management consulting firm, has issued its ...
Retailing is taking off in Canada.(GLOBAL)
Aug 13, 2007 ... TORONTO -- Canadian retailers experienced their best sales growth--6.4%--in nearly a decade last year. Better still, the performance continued a trend, as retail sales have climbed at nearly twice the rate of gross domestic product (GDP) since 2003. Speaking at a Retail ...
Sobeys grows its presence with thrifty.(GLOBAL)(Sobeys Inc. acquired Thrifty Foods )(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... STELLARTON, Nova Scotia --Sobeys Inc. has agreed to acquire Thrifty Foods in a transaction valued at $260 million (Canadian). Based in British Columbia, the regional Thrifty Foods has 20 supermarkets and about 3,700 employees. According to Sobeys officials, Thrifty will operate ...
Carrefour buys Tengelmann units.(GLOBAL)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... PARIS -- Carrefour SA has agreed to buy 250 hard discount stores in Spain from Germany's Tengelmann Group for 200 million euros. The transaction, which includes 58 future store projects, should strengthen the position of Carrefour's Dia division, which the company says is the ...
Immigration has its effect on Canadian economic profile.(GLOBAL)(Report)
Aug 13, 2007 ... TORONTO -- The Canadian economy is thriving, consumers are spending purposefully and many, but not all, retailers are reaping the benefits. "A new mosaic is emerging in Canada," says Peter Woolford, vice president of policy development and research for the Retail Council of ...
Whole Foods tests mettle in U.K.(GLOBAL)
Aug 13, 2007 ... LONDON -- In June Whole Foods Market Inc. opened its flagship store in the United Kingdom. The 80,000-square-foot, three-level outlet is situated in a restored historic building in the fashionable Kensington district of London. The ground level, known as "Provision Hall," ...
Kmart grows number of drugs covered in generics program.(MERCHANDISING)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart has expanded its 90-Day Generic Drug Program offered in its pharmacies to include more than 300 medications. The program, which began in May 2006 in all of the roughly 1,100 Kmart pharmacies nationwide, offers customers a 90-day supply of covered ...
Shopko.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... SHOPKO: An online flyer for Brigham City, Utah, good through August 4, featured the following promotions: L'Oreal Couleur Experte Multi-Tonal permanent hair color and L'Oreal Wrinkle DeCrease ...
Rite aid.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... RITE AID: A weekly circular for New York City, good from July 15 through July 21, featured a "buy one, get the second one free" offer on Colgate-Palmolive Co.'s 6-ounce Total Advanced or Sensitive toothpaste, or 7.8-ounce Total ...
Kroger.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... KROGER: A weekly circular for Indianapolis, good through July 25, featured the following: a "buy one, get one free" offer on assorted varieties of vitamins, including Rexall's Osteo Bi-Flex products and Sundown Nutrition's Sundown vitamins; Kellogg NA's Kellogg's or ...
Safeway.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... SAFEWAY: The supermarket store operator highlighted several offers on its online flyer for Boulder, Colo., good through July 24, including selected varieties of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare LP's 5.6- to 6-ounce Aquafresh ...
Target's 'cheap chic'.(SPOTLIGHT)
Aug 13, 2007; ... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Although Wal-Mart Stores Inc. dominates discount retailing in this country, rival Target Corp. has nonetheless enjoyed success by attracting a more-affluent shopper with its creative approach to "cheap chic." New research from TNS Retail Forward suggests that scenario ...
Discounters tops among gift givers.(MERCHANDISING)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... STEVENS, Pa. -- Discount stores were the top destination of gift shoppers in eight gift product categories, according to Gifting Report 2007, which has been released by Unity Marketing, a market research firm. The study compiles the results of surveys that were conducted last ...
Wal-Mart debuts Site to Store.(MERCHANDISING)(www.walmart.com )(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has completed the national rollout of its Site to Store online service to more than 3,300 stores. Site to Store, which Wal-Mart officially announced in March, enables customers to order tens of thousands of products--most of which are ...
At Publix another way to serve.(MERCHANDISING)(Publix Super Markets Inc.)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... LAKELAND, Fla. -- In a bid to offer more convenience to time-pressed customers, Publix Super Markets Inc. has begun testing curbside service for deli items at its store in Fort Meyers, Fla. "For customers who are time-starved it's a way to consider us as an option for lunch or ...
Integrated Beverage.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Aug 13, 2007 ... INTEGRATED BEVERAGE: Integrated Beverage Group Ltd., a manufacturer of sports, nutraceutical and recreational beverages, has launched two products--Power Ice, a professionally-formulated sports ice, and Throat Cooler, a non-medicated ...
Atkins Advantage bar.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)
Aug 13, 2007 ... ATKINS ADVANTAGE BAR: Atkins Nutritionals Inc. has expanded its granola bar line to include Atkins Advantage peanut fudge granola bar, which is low in sugar and ...
Milani lipstick line.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MILANI LIPSTICK LINE: Milani has added Velvet Lips Creamy lip color to its collection of lipsticks. The Cushion-Soft formula includes vitamins A, C and E, which provide protection from ...
Children's umbrella.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)
Aug 13, 2007 ... CHILDREN'S UMBRELLA: ShedRain Corp. has announced plans to launch in September the Walk Safe Kids umbrella designed to help ensure the safety of children at bus stops and crosswalks. The bright yellow ...
Coty enters agreement for new line.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Coty Inc. signed licensing agreement with Tonino Lamborghini SRL)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Coty Inc. has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Tonino Lamborghini SRL, an Italian lifestyle brand of fashion accessories, apparel and furnishings, under which it will create a fragrance line for men under the Tonino Lamborghini name. The fragrance line is ...
Harris says Coca-Cola is No. 1 brand.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
Aug 13, 2007 ... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Consumers rank Coca-Cola as the No. 1 brand, according to the latest Harris Poll of "best brands," moving from No. 3 last year and reaching the top position for the first time ever. The annual survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive in June, pointed ...
Energizer gets Playtex.(SPOTLIGHT)
Aug 13, 2007; ... ST. LOUIS -- Energizer Holdings Inc., a company best known for its batteries, is set to become a bigger player in personal care with its $1.9 billion acquisition of Playtex Products Inc. Energizer has agreed to pay $18.30 per share for Playtex, which represents a premium of ...
Reliance to join forces with P&G.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Reliance Products LP agreement with Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Reliance Products LP has signed an agreement with Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) to be the exclusive United States distributor for P&G's PUR Purifier of Water product. PUR is a powdered water clarification and disinfectant product that comes in small, ...
Perrigo expands scope with buy.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Perrigo Co acquired Qualis Inc.)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... ALLEGAN, Mich. -- Perrigo Co. has acquired Qualis Inc., which is a privately owned manufacturer of store-brand pediculicide products, for $12 million in cash. In the deal Perrigo has gained five store brand over-the-counter formulations that compare to the Rid and Nix brands of ...
General Mills to raise its nutrition standards voluntarily.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Brief article)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MINNEAPOLIS -- General Mills Inc. has made additions to its Guidelines for Responsible Advertising to Children that it maintains will strengthen its nutrition criteria, and it has added a new sugar guideline that will further limit the products advertised to children under 12. ...
Gentle Naturals from Del Pharmaceuticals.(SUPPLY SIDE NEW AT MARKETPLACE)
Aug 13, 2007 ... GENTLE NATURALS FROM DEL PHARMACEUTICALS: The Gentle Naturals line, which features characters from Disney Co.'s Winnie-The-Pooh film, includes several items that deal with infant health care. Tummy Soother is formulated to calm and soothe stomach discomfort in both babies and young ...
Schering-Plough's MiraLAX debuts as O-T-C.(SUPPLY SIDE NEW AT MARKETPLACE)
Aug 13, 2007 ... SCHERING-PLOUGH'S MIRALAX DEBUTS AS O-T-C: The first Rx-to-O-T-C switch in the laxative category in 30 years occurred this spring when MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) moved to the O-T-C aisle. MiraLAX' innovative formula works with the body to increase the frequency of bowel movements ...
New adjustable underwear from First Quality.(SUPPLY SIDE NEW AT MARKETPLACE)
Aug 13, 2007 ... NEW ADJUSTABLE UNDERWEAR FROM FIRST QUALITY: First Quality Enterprises Inc. has introduced Prevail Adjustable Underwear, an undergarment that offers great fit and function, with easy-to-use adjustable tabs that reattach, allowing users to slip underwear on ...
Merz introduces new formula for Mederma.(SUPPLY SIDE NEW AT MARKETPLACE)
Aug 13, 2007 ... MERZ INTRODUCES NEW FORMULA FOR MEDERMA: The No. 1 doctor-and-pharmacist recommended product for scars has been reformulated. The new and improved Mederma is safe for sensitive skin and has a fresh, clean scent. Effective on old and new scars or ...