Mass Market Retailers back issues from November 2007:
New Stater Bros. hq.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW STATER BROS. HQ: Stater Bros. Markets has opened its new corporate offices and a distribution center encompassing 2.1 million square feet on a 200-acre site in San Bernardino, Calif. Located on the former Norton Air Force Base, the facilities will prepare the chain for future growth, ...
Good economic signs.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... GOOD ECONOMIC SIGNS: The Commerce Department has reported that personal incomes in the United States grew at a 0.4% annual rate in September, while core consumer prices (excluding food and energy costs) rose at ...
FTC fight continues.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... FTC FIGHT CONTINUES: The Federal Trade Commission has asked a Washington, D.C., appellate court to overturn the federal ...
Kroger unit honored.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... KROGER UNIT HONORED: Kroger Co.'s Kroger Manufacturing division has been honored as ...
Las Vegas is next for Tesco.
Nov 12, 2007 ... EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Tesco PLC has announced that it is moving ahead with its plans to penetrate the nation's grocery industry with its Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market stores. The retailer will launch five units in the Las Vegas area on November 14, just a week after it ...
Wal-Mart tweaks plan.(SPOTLIGHT)
Nov 12, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A heightened focus on returns at the annual analysts' conference of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was translated into lowered expectations by Wall Street, which proceeded to sell off the retailer's shares in the immediate aftermath of the ...
Target utilizes technology to showcase new apparel.
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Target Stores showcased its fall and winter designer apparel lines earlier this month in an unusual exhibition here, featuring holograms projected onto a section of Grand Central Terminal. Instead of actual models sporting outfits, the three-dimensional holographic ...
Makeover planned by giant food.
Nov 12, 2007 ... LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food Inc. has said it will renovate or replace about 100 stores over the next three years in the largest investment the chain has made since it was acquired by Ahold NV in 1998. The overhaul is part of a bid to regain its standing with customers that it ...
A Walgreens milestone.(NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. opened its 6,000th store nationwide last month in New Orleans' Carrollton neighborhood. The event was acknowledged with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local officials as well as by former NASCAR ...
Schnuck to give away generic antibiotics.(NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... ST. LOUIS -- Schnuck Markets Inc. has announced a free prescription drug program for generic oral antibiotics. The promotion, which will be offered in all of its pharmacies across seven states, covers seven classes of drugs: amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ...
More new stores.(WAL-MART NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MORE NEW STORES: Wal-Mart opened 36 stores in 22 states last month, and added 4,300 jobs. Since February the retailer has opened 205 ...
A taste of Sam's.(WAL-MART NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... A TASTE OF SAM'S: Sam's Club bakers, chefs and butchers are preparing their menus for the fifth annual Taste of Sam's event. This year's food sampling extravaganza is scheduled to take place from Friday, November 16, through Sunday, ...
Shoppers go green.(WAL-MART NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... SHOPPERS GO GREEN: Customers are increasingly purchasing environmentally friendly products, according to Wal-Mart's Better Living Index, an ongoing barometer of consumer attitudes and shopping behaviors. Findings show that during the last six months ...
An early Christmas.(WAL-MART NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... AN EARLY CHRISTMAS: Wal-Mart moved up the official Christmas shopping season, offering "Black Friday" prices three weeks early this year. Christmas sale items ...
New home brands.(WAL-MART NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW HOME BRANDS: Wal-Mart is adding two new brands for the home next year. Canopy will launch a line of multicategory home essentials ...
Supervalu on track.(SPOTLIGHT)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MINNEAPOLIS -- Reported net income for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2008 grew by double digits at Supervalu Inc. despite comparisons against a prior-year quarter that included an additional week's contribution from the stores acquired from ...
Jean Coutu gets back into black.(MONEY)
Nov 12, 2007 ... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- With its operating results free of the stores in the United States that it sold to Rite Aid Corp., the Jean Coutu Group returned to profitability during the first quarter of fiscal 2008, sustained by solid revenue growth from its core Canadian operations. ...
Biggest gainers.(MONEY)
Nov 12, 2007 ... <Pre> BIGGEST GAINERS Stock CloseChange vs. % 10/19/07 10/12/07Change Winn-Dixie 17.44 +1.75 ...
Biggest losers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... <Pre> BIGGEST LOSERS Stock CloseChange vs. % 10/19/07 10/12/07Change Costplus 3.40- 1.09- 24.3 Nordstrom 38.59- 5.21- 11.9 Circuit City 7.98 ...
Most active.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... <Pre> MOST ACTIVEVol. (000)As a %Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total1 Wk. Ended Stock 10/19/07Shares 10/12/07 A&P 3,190 8.3 + 172.5 Lowe's 52,399 ...
Scoreboard.(MONEY NEWS)(Statistical table)
Nov 12, 2007 ... <Pre> SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar% EndedSales Change Burlington (1)09/01 685.5 mil +3.2 drugstore.com (2) 09/30 107.3 mil +6.6 A&P (3) 09/08 1.27 bil +3.0 ...
Safeway net rises 12.2% on 3.9% sales increase.(MONEY)(Financial report)
Nov 12, 2007 ... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. posted a double-digit increase in earnings for the 12 weeks ended September 8, with results matching Wall Street's forecasts. Still, concerns over a deceleration in the chain's sales growth caused the company's share price to dip on the day of the ...
Wall Street expresses concerns.(MONEY)
Nov 12, 2007 ... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Like his counterparts at a number of other mass market retailers, Safeway chairman, president and chief executive officer Steve Burd is finding analysts to be a tough audience these days. Notwithstanding a solid bottom-line increase in the most recent ...
Fiscal 2008 outlook is reaffirmed.(MONEY)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MINNEAPOLIS -- With a solid bottom-line performance in the books for this year's second quarter, Supervalu's management reiterated its prior profit guidance for fiscal 2008. Diluted earnings per share, net of onetime acquisition costs of about 20 cents per share, are expected to range ...
Weis earnings drop 6.5% in quarter.(MONEY)(Financial report)
Nov 12, 2007 ... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Third quarter net declined on modest sales growth at Weis Markets Inc. The regional chain saw earnings for the 13 weeks ended September 29 slip 6.5% to $10.8 million as the top line edged up 1.4% to $565 million. Comparable-store sales rose 1.8%. ...
Carrefour group acquires romanian supermarket chain.(GLOBAL)
Nov 12, 2007 ... PARIS -- Carrefour S.A. has agreed to buy Artima, a Romanian supermarket chain, for 55 million euros ($79.6 million). The deal gives Carrefour a 21-unit supermarket chain in a country where it already operates hypermarkets. According to Carrefour officials, that fits the ...
Sears Canada down.(GLOBAL NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... SEARS CANADA DOWN: Sears Canada reported revenues of $1.37 billion (Canadian) for the third quarter ended September 29. That is a decrease of 2.9% from the prior-year period. Sears Canada president and chief executive officer attributed the dip in sales to the unseasonably warm weather ...
China retail growth.(GLOBAL NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... CHINA RETAIL GROWTH: China's retail industry will grow at an annual pace of 14% from 2007 through 2010, according to a new report from ...
Tesco's bond issue.(GLOBAL NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... TESCO'S BOND ISSUE: Just ahead of the debut of its Fresh & Easy Market format in the U.S., Tesco PLC raised $2 billion in its first dollar-denominated bond issue. Citi-group and JPMorgan, Chase & Co. were the joint ...
Dutch food sales up.(GLOBAL NEWS)(GfK)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... DUTCH FOOD SALES UP: In October supermarket sales in the Netherlands rose 6.5% compared to last year, according to the research firm GfK. That is the biggest increase of the year, ...
ASDA sees slowdown.(GLOBAL NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... ASDA SEES SLOWDOWN: A senior executive with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Asda unit said at a ...
Metro has reason to be bullish.(SPOTLIGHT)
Nov 12, 2007 ... DUESSELDORF, Germany --Strong growth in Eastern Europe boosted Metro AG's results in the third quarter and prompted the company to raise its sales forecast for the year. Metro's sales in the third quarter increased 10.8% over those of the prior-year period, to reach 15.7 billion ...
Consolidation helps Casino sales.(GLOBAL)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Groupe Casino reported that third quarter sales from continuing operations reached 6.4 billion euros ($9.2 billion), a 12.1% increase over the preceding year. Much of the gain was attributed to the consolidation of Casino's Almacenes Exito business in ...
Tesco cleared by U.K. panel.(GLOBAL)
Nov 12, 2007 ... LONDON -- Tesco PLC is not so dominant in Britain that it is able to squelch its rivals, a government commission has ruled. After an 18-month inquiry, the Competition Commission in the United Kingdom rejected claims that Tesco's 31% grocery market share hurt competition, or that ...
Earnings rise 10.8% at Gigante.(GLOBAL)(Financial report)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MEXICO CITY -- Grupo Gigante SAB de CV, Mexico's third-largest retailer, posted total sales of 8.78 billion pesos ($819.9 million) for the third quarter, a 4.8% increase over the corresponding period in 2006. The retailer's same-store sales for the quarter were up 3.7%, and its ...
Wal-Mart balances competing priorities.(OPINION)
Nov 12, 2007; ... After a period of sometimes tumultuous experimentation, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has adopted a plan that shifts resources to parts of the business with the greatest growth potential, while at the same time attempting to placate its critics in the investment community. The discounter ...
Retail groups fight for attention.(OPINION)
Nov 12, 2007; ... Retail trade organizations are fast becoming a glut on the market. In addition to the traditional U.S.-based associations--NACDS, FMI, RILA, GMDC (if these initials and acronyms mean nothing to you, you probably don't need to read any further)--there is an intrusion of organizations based ...
For chains, Halloween is cause to celebrate.(OPINION)(Brand Keys)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Christmas gets most of the attention, but it is not the only holiday that matters to mass retailers. Halloween represents a major sales opportunity as well, according to the New York-based brand and customer loyalty research consultancy Brand Keys Inc. The firm ...
Car air fresheners from Reckitt Benckiser, Winplus debut.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... LAS VEGAS -- Reckitt Benckiser and Winplus North America Inc., an automotive accessory supplier, have announced they will launch a line of car air fresheners under the Air Wick name. Winplus will offer various types of Air Wick branded products, including card, solid, capsule ...
MGM's James Bond ultimate collector's set.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MGM'S JAMES BOND ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S SET: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC, has released the James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set on two-disc special-edition DVDs spanning 42 discs, selling for $239.98. Each film included in the set ...
Green by nature skin care collection.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... GREEN BY NATURE SKIN CARE COLLECTION: Skaffles LLC has introduced its Green by Nature collection of skin care products, ranging from lip balms and hand lotions to body washes and scrubs. The ingredients contain vitamins, extracts, oils and antioxidants to cleanse, soften, ...
Accuflora pro-biotic acidophilus.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Northwest Natural Products Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 12, 2007 ... ACCUFLORA PRO-BIOTIC ACIDOPHILUS: Northwest Natural Products has launched AccuFIora Pro-Biotic Acidophilus caplets, formulated with a combination of five types of beneficial bacteria that improve digestion ...
Freeman's feeling beautiful body scrubs.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... FREEMAN'S FEELING BEAUTIFUL BODY SCRUBS: Freeman Beauty, a division of pH Beauty Labs, is promoting for winter the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Guava salt body scrub, which exfoliates skin. The full line includes ...
Concepts in health's MidNite natural sleep aid.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... CONCEPTS IN HEALTH'S MIDNITE NATURAL SLEEP AID: Concepts in Health Inc. has introduced MidNite, an herbal supplement that can betaken anytime throughout the night with no drowsy, morning-after ...
Ace nail care tools designed for men.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... ACE NAIL CARE TOOLS DESIGNED FOR MEN: Newell Rubbermaid has introduced its Ace nail care line of clippers and grooming tools designed specifically for men. The collection includes the Ace nail brush for scrubbing fingernails, selling for $6.99; Ace toenail clippers with a built-in ...
Mike and Ike to expand candy line for 2008.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MIKE AND IKE TO EXPAND CANDY LINE FOR 2008: Just Born Inc. has expanded its Mike and Ike brand to include Zours, a 2sour fruit-flavor candy. The Zours mix includes five flavors--sour cherry, sour lemon, sour green apple, sour watermelon and sour blue raspberry. Available in ...
Blistex adds new lip balm.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Blistex Inc. is introducing a medicated liquid lip balm that the company says delivers penetrating moisturization without leaving a waxy feel. The company's Lip Infusion Soothing Splash is designed to deliver deep, medicated hydration to dry and chapped lips ....
Virtual world insights.(SPOTLIGHT)
Nov 12, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEENAH, Wis. -- By leveraging the latest developments in virtual reality technologies, Kimberly-Clark Corp. has taken a huge step forward in boosting the scientific component in the art of merchandising. Last month the manufacturer unveiled its ...
Jakks to offer discovery kids line.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... MALIBU, Calif. -- Jakks Pacific Inc. has signed a worldwide master toy license agreement to create toys and related products with Discovery Communications through Big Tent Entertainment, the licensing agent for Discovery Kids. The products will carry the Discovery Kids brand. ...
Campbell restructures core division.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... CAMDEN, N.J. -- Campbell Soup Co. has realigned its North American business to streamline its management structure. Three of the company's business units--Campbell USA, which consists of the U.S. Soup, Sauces and Beverages retail businesses; North America Foodservice and ...
Fuji unveils digital camera at fete.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... VALHALLA, N.Y. -- Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. celebrated the launch last month of its FinePix Z10fd digital camera with a special "Z" launch party at the Fillmore NY, one of New York City's premier music venues. The occasion was hosted by Emmy and Peabody award-winning comedian Paul ...
New Snapple drinks 'healthy and tasty'.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... PLANO, Texas -- Snapple has introduced a new line of "good for you" juice drinks that bring what the company maintains are unique fruit flavor combinations from "super" fruits. "Our new Super Premium Juice Drinks will contribute to a healthy immune system and provide the ...
Painter sees way to use experience.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Bruce Painter, who retired earlier this year from his position as pharmacy merchandise manager at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. after 22 years with the retailer, has started his own consulting business. As head of Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions Inc., Painter is ...
Burt's Bees acquired.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... OAKLAND, Calif. -- Clorox Co. has agreed to purchase Burt's Bees, a leading supplier of natural personal care products, for $950 million in cash. "This acquisition allows us to enter a growing market that's consistent with consumer megatrends," said Clorox chairman and chief ...
Quality, uniqueness are what make a store brand.(STORE BRANDS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- The strategic role of store brands has changed--or expanded--in a major way in recent years. No longer are private label goods expected merely to provide national brand equivalents priced competitively lower while delivering heftier profits to the retailer. Instead, ...
Top private label supermarket categories.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... <Pre> Top Private Label Supermarket Categories DollarDollar By Dollar Volume VolumeShare 1. Milk $6.4 bil. 58.5% 2. Break & Baked Goods $3.3 bil. 26.4% 3. Cheese ...
Drug chains biggest gainers in private label.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Private label products continue to expand their share of the shelf, achieving an all-time high in dollar sales last year, according to data compiled by Nielsen Co. for the Private Label Manufacturers Association. Store brand sales in food, drug and discount outlets ...
Wal-Mart taps Ruben for PL.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has created a new position that oversees private label strategy, and the discounter has appointed a high-profile young executive to fill the post. Andrew Ruben, 34, has been vice president of sustainability for the last two years. ...
Absorbency products run gamut.(STORE BRANDS)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Demand for absorbency products is being driven by diverse trends, and store brands are thriving in the segment as shoppers respond to the combination of quality and value presented by private label products. For example, even in the disposable diapers category, which ...
Tesco's big plans for greener living.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... CHESHUNT, England -- Tesco PLC, the United Kingdom's largest retailer and now a player in the western United States with its new Fresh & Easy format, plans to shake up its private label offerings early next year with a new brand, Greener Living. The initial products bearing the ...
PLMA recognizes the 'best' in retail.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... CHICAGO -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kroger Co., Target Corp. and Costco Wholesale Corp. will be among the winners when the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) presents its Salute to Excellence Awards. The honors will be bestowed during the PLMA's 2007 trade show, which ...
As boomers age demand is created: PL is an answer.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- The aging of the baby boom generation is proving to be a bonanza for many product categories, and it could be a significant driver of private label growth as well. The opportunity is broad and multifaceted, retailers and suppliers agree. On one hand, the process of ...
The great untapped market.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... BALTIMORE -- Store brand marketing efforts are not reaching some Hispanic consumers, a recent poll suggests. While 78% of all Hispanics in the United States have a positive perception of private label store brands, only 61% of those speaking only Spanish at home have a similar ...
The issue is maintaining quality.(STORE BRANDS)
Nov 12, 2007; ... BURLINGTON, Mass. -- The most successful mass market retailers today have raised the bar on store brand programs, increasing the percentage of private label goods they deliver to store shelves. Savvy supermarket retailers have discovered that they can increase overall gross margins while ...
In health and beauty aids segment, the challenge is identifying trends.(SUPPLY SIDE)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Store brand sales growth in health and beauty aids has been uneven, with the greatest penetration achieved in over-the-counter remedy categories. Beauty care, by and large, has remained dominated by national brands. In such segments as cough/cold remedies, first aid, ...