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Wal-Mart Supercenter Enters Pick ‘n Save Territory
Wal-Mart is opening its first supercenter in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Schnuck’s Brings Unique Service to Iowa
The St. Louis-based regional grocery chain, Schnuck Markets, is bringing its unique sense of service to consumers in the Quad City market.
Wal-Mart Trial Penalty Phase Begins
A jury is to decide how much Wal-Mart should pay in damages for forcing employees to work overtime without pay.
Gillette Not Letting New Product Secret Out
Gillette is expected to make a major announcement about an innovation in its shaving products line. What it is, is not known, but the rumor market is going crazy.
NRF Elects Chairman
Arnold Zetcher, chairman, chief executive officer and president, Talbot’s, was elected to a two-year term as chairman of the board for the National Retail Federaltion (NRF).
Bill Seeks to Outlaw Loyalty Cards
A bill introduced by Colorado State Senator, Ken Chlouber, would ban grocery store discount cards.
KayBee Toys Files For Bankruptcy
Another toy chain appears to have lost its battle for shoppers with the discount giants.
RedEnvelope Online Sales Spike 42% in 3rd Q
Online and catalog retailer RedEnvelope experienced a 42% surge in sales during the holiday quarter but says results actually came in below expectations. Catalog sales were roughly flat vs. year-ago.
Mad Cow to Be Discussed by Ministers from U.S., Canada and Mexico
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman will host a meeting of her counterparts from Canada and Mexico to reassure trading partners about recent Mad Cow disease concerns.
Ten Farmer Jack’s To Be Reopened as Food Basics
The operating unit of A&P will close 13 of its Farmer Jack Food Markets in the Detroit area in mid-February and reopen 10 as discount-format Food Basics stores, which now…
7-Eleven Sees 4.5% Growth in Same-Store Merchandise Sales
The country’s number one c-store chain reported a 6.7 percent overall sales increase in December over the same period last year. The chain estimates that same-store sales in the U.S….
CVS December Same-Store Sales Jump 9.4%
CVS said total sales for its December period surged 31.8% to $3.36 billion, vs. year-ago. Same-store sales grew 9.4%, with pharmacy up 11.2%, and front-end same store sales up 6.1%.
Target Same-Store Sales On Track
In its weekly sales briefing, Target said last week’s same-store sales in its namesake stores were within the originally predicted 5% to 7% growth range, but about 1% below plan…
Safeway Shuttering 12 Chicago-Area Dominick’s
Dominick’s President Randall Onstead said that Safeway will close 12 underperforming stores in mid-March and expects to see benefits immediately from the elimination of operating losses.
BK Introduces Low-Carb Menu Options
Burger King is following the lead of Wendy’s and other fast feeders with the roll-out of bunless burger selections, and will soon offer salads topped with steak, chicken and shrimp….
Factory 2-U Stores Files for Bankruptcy Protection
The off-price apparel and domestics retailer with 243 stores in Western states has filed for Chapter 11 in order to restructure its operations and finances. The chain will remain open…
Wal-Mart Violated of Child Labor Laws, Says NYTimes
The New York Times reported today that Wal-Mart execs were made aware of numerous incidences of minors working late nights and during school hours in violation of child labor laws…
Organic Beef Sales May Rise on Mad Cow Concerns
Consumer concerns over Mad Cow disease may mean more shoppers may begin to buy organic beef.
Mad Cow May Push Prices Up
Europe experienced a rapid rise in beef prices after it was hit with Mad Cow disease. Will Americans also see the price they pay for beef rise?
Prices Climb At The Pump
The price of gasoline has gone up more than seven cents in the past three weeks. The record cold temperatures that have hit the nation are partly to blame for…
Wireless Technology a Hit at Consumer Electronics Show
if it’s wireless it’s getting attention at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
AB’s Real Men Campaign Works On TV Too
It was originally created as a radio campaign, but Bud Light’s “Real Men of Genius” campaign is making consumers sit up and take notice of the brand even if the…
e-Bay Stores Opening
Five companies have opened stores where sellers can drop off merchandise to be auctioned on eBay.
Soft Dollar Drives Overseas Purchases on U.S. Sites
The Evening Standard of London says that a weak American dollar has meant that consumers overseas are finding great deals on goods on U.S. e-tail Web sites.
Retailers Discounting Away Profits
Last minute shoppers drove up sales numbers but the deals that brought them in meant lower margins for retailers.
Slots Real Issue Behind Grocery Labor Strife
Reliance on slotting allowances has put the grocers involved in the lockout/strike in Southern California at a competitive disadavantage.