Mass Market Retailers articles from August 2004

Mass Market Retailers archives from August 2004

New logo at Kmart.(Industry News)(Kmart Holding Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW LOGO AT KMART: Kmart Holding Corp. has changed its logo to a large red block K with the word Kmart underneath in small letters. The new logo was scheduled to debut on August 1 in the chain's circulars.

A Kroger milestone.(Industry News)(opened new supermarket fuel center)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... A KROGER MILESTONE: Kroger Co. has opened its 500th supermarket fuel center. The unit, in Montrose, Colo., is in the same town where Kroger opened its first such center in 1998. Kroger now operates supermarket fuel centers in 29 states....

New Rite Aid growth.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW RITE AID GROWTH: Rite Aid Corp., which has been focused on survival and recovery for almost five years, is once again on the expansion trail. The drug chain's growth plans call for as many as 145 new or relocated units by March 2006. The...

Giant in Baltimore.(Industry News)(Giant Food Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... GIANT IN BALTIMORE: Giant Food LLC last month opened two new inner-city stores in Baltimore. One of them replaces a 39-year-old store across the street. Giant now has five stores serving urban Baltimore.

Charges for recalls.(Industry News)(Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CHARGES FOR RECALLS: Albertsons Inc. intends to charge suppliers a fee for issuing merchandise recalls and removing products from store shelves. The company has disclosed that it has witnessed a substantial increase in recalls in recent years...

Target opening talk of the town.(opening a new store with celebrations)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Target Corp.'s most recent round of store openings included a gala event in this city's most populous borough. The upscale discounter hosted a celebrity-studded preopening party for its newest Brooklyn store, which is situated...

Transition at Eckerd under way.(News)(Eckerd Corp. sold its few stores to Brooks Pharmacy division of the Jean Coutu Group)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... LARGO, Fla. -- On August 1 Eckerd Corp. started laying off management and support workers at its headquarters here. About 1,400 employees are expected to lose their jobs between August and January 31, 2005. The Brooks Pharmacy division of...

Mass market sales--July.(stores earnings)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 9, 2004... Mass Market Sales--July '04 Year-to-Date Performance % Change Overall Sales Same-store Sales Drug Chains 8.6 6.7 Supermarkets 2.8 1.4 Discount Strs. ...

Mervyn's sold for $1.65 bil.(Target Corp. sold its division to GE Consumer Finance)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. has reached an agreement to sell its Mervyn's subsidiary to a consortium of investors for about $1.65 billion. The pact encompasses 257 stores and four distribution centers. Target Corp. will sell Mervyn's...

Ex-Ahold executives are indicted.(News)(case of Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Four former executives in the U.S. Foodservice Inc. unit of Ahold NV have been indicted on charges of inflating the company's earnings by more than $800 million. Two pleaded not guilty a day after the charges were announced. ...

Sears Grand is unveiled in Las Vegas.(News)(Sears, Roebuck and Co. opened new store)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. opened its third Sears Grand pilot store here in late July. The format is designed to provide customers with one-stop-shopping convenience, with access to many national brands as well as Sears' own...

Supervalu is committed to expansion of Save-A-Lot.(News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. plans to continue the expansion of its retail division during fiscal 2005, which ends next February 26. Between 110 and 140 new extreme-value Save-A-Lot stores--which sell groceries and general...

Fleming set to exit Chapter 11.(Fleming Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... DALLAS -- Fleming Cos. expects to exit bankruptcy in mid-August. The company will then be called Core-Mark Holding Co. It will distribute products to convenience stores and other retailers from 22 distribution centers that service customers in...

Scoreboard.(pharmaceutical industry earnings)(Illustration)
August 9, 2004... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change drugstore.com (1) 06/27 87.8 mil +50.9 Duane Reade (2) ...

Biggest gainers.(drugstores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 9, 2004... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 07/23/04 vs. 07/09/04 Change Circuit City 13.58 +1.49 +12.3 Smart & Final 14.07 +1.13 ...

Biggest losers.(drugstores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 9, 2004... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 07/23/04 vs. 07/09/04 Change Kmart 65.92 -10.88 -14.2 99 cents Only 13.90 -1.45 ...

Most active.(shares of drugstores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 9, 2004... Most Active Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 07/23/04 Shares 07/09/04 Circuit City 14,524 7.2 ...

Kroger still feels strike's impact.(earnings)
August 9, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Despite a modest improvement in sales trends, the effects of the southern California labor dispute hammered Kroger Co.'s net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Nonetheless, the nation's largest supermarket operator...

Rite Aid on the rise.(Spotlight)
August 9, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. started its 2005 fiscal year with a bang, recording its third straight quarterly profit and reversing a prior-year loss. Management responded by raising its full-year earnings projection even while slightly...

Ahold USA finishes qtr. on bad note.(earnings)
August 9, 2004... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Amid what management described as "ongoing challenging market conditions" and nonrecurring restructuring costs, Ahold NV's United States retail group posted a double-digit profit decline for fiscal 2004's first...

SDM delivers strong growth in sales and earnings.(Shoppers Drug Mart Corp's financial report)
August 9, 2004... TORONTO -- Solid growth in systemwide retail sales combined with increased operating efficiencies to help net income grow more than 20% for both the second quarter and the first half of fiscal 2004 at Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. Net income...

Time for CPG sector, retail to play catch up.(Opinion )(Consumer packaged goods )(Industry Overview)
August 9, 2004... When it comes to research and development, consumer packaged goods (CPG) suppliers have a lot of catching up to do with their counterparts in other industries. That finding, which has troubling implications for mass market retailers, is...

Retailing milestones abroad.(Opinion)
August 9, 2004... A case can be made that recent or shortly anticipated retailing events outside the United States are at least as compelling as those within our borders. Four come to mind: * The appointment late last year of Richard Baker, formerly the key...

'Next killer concept' is just around the corner.(Opinion)(U.S. retail industry)
August 9, 2004... DENVER -- While a few clouds remain on the horizon, 2004 should go into the books as a good year for retailers, according to Gary Wright, chief executive officer of G.A. Wright Marketing Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales promotion...

Carrefour nixes bid.(Global News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CARREFOUR NIXES BID: Carrefour SA has confirmed that it is not bidding for all of Ahold NV's stores in Spain, citing competitive concerns since it already has a 25% share of the nation there. The French retailer indicated that it might purchase...

Tesco jobs to India.(Global News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... TESCO JOBS TO INDIA: Britain's largest retailer, Tesco PLC, will outsource 420 support jobs currently in the United Kingdom to Bangalore, India. Employees whose jobs are threatened will be offered alternative positions within the company.

Russian super grows.(Global News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Russia's largest supermarket chain, Pyaterochka, plans to open 18 to 20 stores in Kazakhstan this year and 10 more in 2005. The chain now has seven outlets in the region that target low- and middle-income customers.

HBC to keep Zellers.(Global News)(Hudson's Bay Co)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... HBC TO KEEP ZELLERS: Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC) announced it has no interest in selling its Zellers discount chain after retail analyst Robert Buchanan of A.G. Edwards suggested that Target Corp. might make an offer for the unit. An HBC spokesman...

Laurus sales off 10%.(sales report)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... LAURUS SALES OFF 10%: Laurus NV, the No. 2 supermarket operator in the Netherlands, saw first half sales sink 10% to 2.1 billion euros ($2.6 billion). The company competes with Ahold NV's Albert Heijn chain, which holds the largest market share...

Ikea plans Kiev debut.(Global News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... IKEA PLANS KIEV DEBUT: Ikea, the world's largest home furnishings retailer, plans to open its first store in Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine, within a year. The chain plans to spend about 250 million euros on construction. Ikea hopes to open...

Remerchandising, redesign pay off in higher sales at Boots.(Global)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NOTTINGHAM, England -- Recent changes in merchandising and store layout helped boost overall sales by 5.4% for Boots The Chemists during the quarter ended June 30. Same-store sales increased 4.4%. "Continued growth in Boots The Chemists...

GM helps drive sales at Loblaws.(Global)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... TORONTO -- Strong sales growth in general merchandise helped drive an 8% rise in second quarter profits for Loblaw Cos. Canada's leading supermarket chain recorded net income of $197 million (Canadian) on a 4.7% increase in sales to $6.1...

Lidl on rise.(Global)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... LONDON -- The rapidly growing discount grocery sectar in Europe will likely see a new leader emerge in coming years, a new study indicates. According to "European Grocery Retailing 2004," a report issued by IGD, a retail industry research...

Aeon denies acquisition rumors.(acquires Daiei Inc)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... OSAKA, Japan -- Aeon Co., Japan's largest retailer by sales, has denied published reports that it intends to acquire the stores of debt-ridden Daiei Inc. The Yomiuri Shimbun recently reported without attribution that Aeon was planning to take...

Consider Hungary.(Spotlight)
August 9, 2004... BUDAPEST -- On May 1, 2004, the European Union opened another chapter in its history. Ten countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, all joined the EU. This creates a trade...

Storage containers.(Merchandising News)
August 9, 2004... STORAGE CONTAINERS: General Mills Trademark Licensing has partnered with Rubbermaid Foodservice Products, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, to create a line of Betty Crocker-branded food-storage containers. The eight-piece set sells for $14.99,...

Hubba Bubba Max gum.(Merchandising News)
August 9, 2004... HUBRA BUBBA MAX GUM: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. has introduced Hubba Bubba Max chunk bubble gum. Available in three flavor combinations, grape/berry, sour double berry and strawberry/watermelon, the bubble gum sells for a suggested 49 cents for a...

L'Oreal Refinish kit.(Merchandising News)
August 9, 2004... L'OREAL REFINISH KIT: L'Oeal Paris, a division of L'Oreal USA Inc., has introduced the Refinish microdermabrasion kit that involves a two-step treatment for at home use. Selling for $24.99, the kit includes an exfoliator and an SPF 15...

Dax hair care kits.(Merchandising News)
August 9, 2004... DAX HAIR CARE KITS: Dax Inc. has launched the Dax Wave and Groom Texturizing Kit for men in two versions--regular and extra strength. Dax Inc., 120 New Dutch Lane, P.O. Box 10002, Fairfield, N.J.; (973) 227-6105.

Scripto writing line.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... SCRIPTO WRITING LINE: Scripto Tokai Corp. has expanded its line of pens and pencils to include the Ultima retractable gel pen and complimentary 0.5 mm mechanical pencil, and the Pro21 ballpoint pen and 0.7 mm mechanical pencil. Scripto Tokai...

Schoolhouse Rock revisited by Safeway, Buena Vista on DVD.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. and Buena Vista Home Entertainment Inc. are partnering in a back-to-school promotion of the two-disc DVD of a children's television program--"Schoolhouse Rock." The program ran for 12 years in the 1970s...

What's in a 'megahit'.(Spotlight)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Achieving sustained success in today's consumer goods marketplace is no slam dunk, and there is no sure-fire formula for success. Nevertheless, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), most recent top performers in the nonfood...

Molson set to merge with Coors.(Merchandising)(Adolph Coors Co. and Molson Inc merge to create Molson Coors Brewing Co)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... GOLDEN, Colo. -- Adolph Coors Co., headquartered here, and Molson Inc., which is based in Montreal, have agreed to merge and create Molson Coors Brewing Co. The merger is expected to be finalized this fall. The deal unites the third-largest...

Kmart, WB network team up.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Kmart Holding Corp. has launched an advertising campaign that cross-markets the retailer's exclusive brands with characters from the WB television network. A spot promoting Kmart's Thalia brand, for example, shows the popular...

Wal-Mart apparel returns to Web.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... BRISBANE, Calif. -- Three years after ending online apparel sales Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reintroduced clothing to its online collection. The retailer currently offers more than 15 labels, including such Wal-Mart exclusives as George,...

In store, at home candles a natural.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Candles have evolved from being purely home decor items to becoming popular gift choices. That trend is helping sustain retail sales, which hit $2 billion last year, as 62% of American households purchased candles, according to the...

People keep wanting to connect.(Social Expressions)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- There is good news for mass market retailers and suppliers in the social expressions category. The trend of increased communication among friends and family members that began on a tragic note on September 11, 2001, is...

Every group has its own special message.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Retailers may be seeing higher sales from a growing number of greeting cards that target specific market segments. Areas that are particularly strong include ethnic groups, pet lovers/owners and children, according to industry...

Holly Hobbie will reappear on the retailing scene.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CLEVELAND -- American Greetings Corp. win relaunch Holly Hobbie, a well-known character that first appeared in the 1960s and became a hot property in the 1970s and 1980s. More than 500 million greeting cards featuring the character were sold...

A new way of doing things.(First Aid)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- While sales growth in first aid is generally flat, truly innovative products are appearing that promise to expand the category rather than simply cannibalize current sales. The innovation is coming primarily but not exclusively...

Hemostatic intros create new category.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- The first aid category has benefited in recent years from several developments in wound therapy. Those advances are now showing up in the over-the-counter arena and are sparking consumer interest. One area that has seen a...

Private label brands contribute to sales, build image.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- The bedrock of the first aid business continues to be such staple items as bandages and hydrogen peroxide. Those segments have offered rich opportunities for private label development, and retailers have been quick to capitalize....

Warm weather, outdoor activities result in greater need.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- While first aid products are used and purchased year-round, retailers point out that there are a number of segments that experience pronounced seasonal spikes. In much of the country spring and summer are the seasons for such...

Things change; signs are good.(digital photography)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Americans are buying fewer rolls of film and are having fewer rolls developed, but the consumer imaging business at mass retail stores still offers opportunities for sales gains as digital photography droves into the mainstream. ...

Camera phones' latest wrinkle.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. wants people with camera phones to come into its drug stores to make prints. The retailer recently entered into a marketing agreement with Nokia, a leading maker of mobile phones. The two companies have...

Digital cameras demand accessories.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Digital cameras arc not the only products benefiting from America's shift from conventional photography to digital imaging. Retailers and suppliers note that while digital cameras do not need film, they do prompt their own...

Turning photography into a game.(Pexagon Technologies Inc. introduced a series of PixiFun kits)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... GUILFORD, Conn. -- Pexagon Technologies Inc. is among the suppliers attempting to turn the digital photography boom into a source of incremental sales. The company has introduced a series of PixiFun kits designed to help consumers "do...

Good news: digital models proliferate, price points drop.(Merchandising)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- The digital revolution has triggered a sea change in mass market camera sales. Last year, for the first time, more digital than film cameras were sold worldwide. That momentum has continued. According to research conducted by...

Demand for digital processing creates new opportunities.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... BUENA PARK, Calif. -- The rapid consumer acceptance of digital photography has created excellent opportunities for digital photofinishers, contends Noritsu marketing manager Gregory Joe. He points to the Photo Marketing Association's estimates...

Everyone's spreading the word.(digital cameras )
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Sixty-eight percent of consumers now know that their local retail stores can print photos from their digital camera, according to a recent study. That is a dramatic increase in awareness, considering it was only 34% just two years...

Zanfel Laboratories.(People News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... ZANFEL LABORATORIES: Zanfel Laboratories Inc. has appointed Steven Sisler vice president of sales development to lead the company's expansion efforts. His responsibilities include the identification and tactical development of potential markets...

Eastman Kodak board.(Michel Dermont appointed as a vice president )(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... EASTMAN KODAK BOARD: Eastman Kodak Co. has announced that its board of directors has elected Michel Dermont vice president of the company. Dermont joined Kodak in July as general manager of the European, African and Middle Eastern Region within...

CNS vice president.(People News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CNS VICE PRESIDENT: CNS Inc. has named Kevin McKenna to the newly created position of vice president of International. Previously he held several executive positions at General Mills Inc. in its Bakeries and Foodservice division.

Big Lots resignation.(resignation of Albert Bell)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... BIG LOTS RESIGNATION: Big Lots Inc. has announced the resignation of Albert Bell as vice chairman, chief administrative officer and director of the company, effective August 17. He is leaving to pursue other interests.

Concord appointment.(People News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CONCORD APPOINTMENT: Concord Camera Corp. has named Min Jong Choong vice president of manufacturing operations. He is responsible for overseeing the company's vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in the People's Republic of China.

Campbell Soup move.(People News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CAMPBELL SOUP MOVE: Campbell Soup Co. has appointed Nancy Reardon to the newly created post of senior vice president/chief human resources and communications officer. She reports to president and chief executive officer Douglas Conant and will...

Wincor Nixdorf USA.(People News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... WINCOR NIXDORF USA: Wincor Nixdorf Inc. has named Doug Evans vice president of retail for Wincor Nixdorf USA, to manage the company's U.S. retail business.

India looks Westward.(Spotlight)
August 9, 2004... MUMBAI, India -- Mainstream American cuisine has been enormously enriched over the years by the influence of international food. If A. Muthu, director of I.J. Muthu Foods Pvt. Ltd., realizes his goal, consumers here will soon be able to enjoy...

Gurtler gets key global post at P&G.(Heiner Gurtler has been appointed as a group president of global prestige and professional care)
August 9, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has announced several executive changes at Wella AG. P&G owns 81% of the German beauty care company's shares. Heiner Gurtler, currently Wella chief executive officer and president of global...

Brooks said to tap two Eckerd VPs.(Brooks Pharmacy unit appoints Enzo Cerra and Allan Patrick )(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- According to sources close to the company, the Brooks Pharmacy unit of the Jean Coutu Group will name Enzo Cerra to head a Southern division composed of stores to be acquired from Eckerd Corp., while Allan Patrick will run the...

Kleeberger new CFO at Dollar Tree.(Kent Kleeberger has joined Dollar Tree Stores Inc. )(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Kent Kleeberger has joined Dollar Tree Stores Inc. as chief financial officer. Prior to joining Dollar Tree Kleeberger, a certified public accountant, was executive vice president and chief financial of ricer of Too...

David VP, GM of Sears Division.(Catherine David appointed as a general manager of Sears Roebuck and Co)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. has named Catherine David vice president and general manager of The Great Indoors, a group of Sears stores selling interior decorating and home remodeling items. David will report to Beryl...

Wal-Mart in RX trial.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... WAL-MART IN RX TRIAL: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is testing 24-hour pharmacies in five stores, one in Bentonville, Ark., and four in Texas. Four of the facilities are Neighborhood Markets while one, situated in Piano, Texas, is a Supercenter.

Family dollar debuts.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... FAMILY DOLLAR DEBUTS: The nation's second-largest dollar store operator, Family Dollar Inc., opened 44 outlets in July, bringing its total store base to 5,358. Executives reconfirmed that they plan to open about 500 units during the fiscal year...

Wild oats openings.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... WILD OATS OPENINGS: Stop & Shop Cos. is partnering with Wild Oats Markets Inc. to open three to five Wild Oats-branded store-within-a-store sections in Stop & Shop units late this year or early in 2005. The departments will mainly sell Wild...

Peapod widens scope.(Industry News)(Peapod LLC )(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... PEAPOD WIDENS SCOPE: Internet grocer Peapod LLC is extending its service to the Baltimore area this month in conjunction with the Giant Food Inc. supermarket chain. Shoppers can utilize the service by visiting Giant's web site at...

Kroger, union in pact.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... KROGER, UNION IN PACT: Kroger Co. and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 227 have ratified a four-year labor agreement covering Kroger employees in parts of Kentucky and southern Indiana.

What's the problem?(retail sales growth)
August 23, 2004... NEW YORK -- While July retail sales were slightly better than the dismal results in June, the gains were modest enough to worry some analysts about the important back-to-school (B-T-S) season spanning August and September. In fact, an...

Home Depot, Kmart have revised deal.(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart Holding Corp. and Home Depot Inc. have revised the store-purchase agreement that they announced in June. At that time Kmart said it would sell up to 24 units to Home Depot for about $365 million. Under the revised pact,...

New Horizons for CVS, Coutu.(News)
August 23, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Having completed its acquisition of 1,260 Eckerd Corp. units from J.C. Penney Co., CVS Corp. is now the No. 1 drug chain in store count in North America. Penney sold the remaining 1,539 Eckerd stores to the Jean Coutu...

Albertsons takes a new direction.(News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. is launching a price-impact chain with the opening of seven Super Saver stores in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La. The outlets will be operated by a new corporate entity called Extreme Inc., a wholly owned...

Wal-Mart stands its ground.(News)
August 23, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has made the Supercenter its primary expansion vehicle, faces new roadblocks as it seeks to bring the format into urban areas. Case in point: The Los Angeles City Council recently passed an...

Shaw's, union ratify contract.(News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Shaw's Supermarkets Inc., which is owned by Albertsons Inc., ratified a new agreement with Local 791 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union on August 7. The settlement came six days after union members...

Ralphs under scrutiny by feds.(News)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... COMPTON, Calif. -- Ralphs Grocery Co. has admitted that some employees who were locked out during the four-month southern California grocery store strike were actually allowed to work. The admission follows the start of a federal government...