Mass Market Retailers articles from February 2003

Mass Market Retailers archives from February 2003

Toys R Us departure. (Industry News).(Gregory Staley)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TOYS R US DEPARTURE: Toys R Us Inc. president Gregory Staley is leaving the company after 13 years, citing personal reasons. The chain is now searching for a successor. Until one is found the toy store unit in the United States will report...

Albertsons honored. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... ALBERTSONS HONORED: Albertsons Inc. has been named best overall in the Newspaper Association of America's (NAA) annual Merchandiser of the Year awards competition.

Free shipping offer. (Industry News).(Amazon.com)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... FREE SHIPPING OFFER: Amazon.com has made permanent its offer of free shipping on orders of more than $25. The promotion, which had been run during the holiday shopping season, is expected to help boost the online retailer's sales. Amazon.com...

Marsh exits on-line. (Industry News).(Marsh Supermarkets Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... MARSH EXITS ON-LINE: Marsh Supermarkets Inc. is dropping its Fresh Express home-delivery service, which allowed customers to order groceries via telephone, fax or the Internet, and have them delivered to their homes. The seven-year-old service...

FMI presents award. (Industry News).(Food Marketing Institute)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... FMI PRESENTS AWARD: The Food Marketing Institute has presented its 2002 Neighborhood Partnership Award to Farm Fresh Supermarkets Inc. for its "Round Up" fundraising efforts on behalf of children with cancer.

Kmart's latest plan. (Spotlight).
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- Kmart Corp. is poised to emerge from Chapter 11 as early as April 30 under a reorganization plan filed last month that blames some of the retailer's fiscal woes on former executives. Current managers also vow to get Kmart back...

Former Kmart execs under fire.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- An internal investigation focusing on former Kmart Corp. chief executive officer Chuck Conaway has revealed a broad pattern of abuse by former managers in the months preceding the retailer's Chapter 11 filing. The...

Small drug chains hold their own.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Small drug chains are thriving despite unprecedented competition, say retailers attending the National Association of Chain Drug Stores 2003 Regional Chain Conference. "Larger chains are expanding faster than we could have...

Fleming rethinks Kmart account.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... DALLAS -- Hit by a huge fourth quarter loss, Fleming Cos. reportedly may end its distribution agreement with Kmart Corp., its key customer. The nation's largest food wholesaler reported a net loss of $89.9 million in the fourth quarter,...

Three-story Wal-Mart prototype debuts in Los Angeles. (News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has opened a three-story prototype here as part of the discounter's efforts to expand its presence in urban areas. The store, which was rolled out last month at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in the...

ShopKo realigns top ranks. (News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. last month reorganized the management team that oversees merchandising, marketing and replenishment for the company's ShopKo division. Kevin Easton, who has been senior vice president and general...

Supers take hit as sales drop. (News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Several supermarket retailers suffered hits to their stock prices or had their debt downgraded by ratings agencies last month as sales in the trade class continue to suffer. The actions came amid reports that grocery sales were...

Grocers need to defend their turf. (News).(William Blair and Co. report "Convergence of Mass Retail Channels")(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- Supercenters, small-format value retailers and drug stores are in a good position to challenge supermarkets for more of the grocery, consumables and pharmacy business, a recent report says. In "Convergence of Mass Retail...

Consumers are less confident. (News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Fears of a weak economic recovery are growing as worse-than-expected unemployment, climbing oil prices and concerns about war helped weaken the confidence of consumers last month. The Consumer Confidence index from ABC...

For retail, a better year ahead in 2003? (News).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The year 2003 should see improved growth for the retail industry despite some troubling question marks, according to economists and analysts who offered their views at the recent convention of the National Retail Federation (NRF)....

Big plans for Eckerd prototype. (News).
February 10, 2003... PALM HARBOR, Fla. -- Eckerd Corp.'s latest prototype will play a big role in the drug chain's expansion plans. Speaking at the company's analysts meeting here last month, Eckerd chairman and chief executive officer Wayne Harris said the...

It's always good news at Walgreens. (News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- More than 2,000 shareholders gathered here on January 8 for Walgreen Co.'s 100th annual meeting. The shareholders, accustomed to hearing good news, were not disappointed. In the fiscal year ended August 2002 sales were up 16.5%...

New chairman at Family Dollar. (News).(Howard Levine)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores Inc. has announced that president and chief executive officer Howard Levine has been named chairman of the board. He succeeds his father, company founder Leon Levine, who is retiring at age 65. ...

Scoreboard. (Money News).
February 10, 2003... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change drugstore.com (1) 12/29 55.0 mil +26.4 Sears (2) 12/28 ...

Kroger sells $500 million in 10-year notes. (Money News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... KROGER SELLS $500 MILLION IN 10-YEAR NOTES: Kroger Co. sold $500 million worth of 5.5% 10-year senior notes maturing on February 1,2013. The notes were rated "BBB" by Fitch Ratings. Proceeds from the issuance will be used to repay Kroger's $250...

Winn-Dixie declares quarterly dividend. (Money News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WINN-DIXIE DECLARES QUARTERLYDIVIDEND: The board of directors of Winn-Dixie Stores inc. has declared a cash dividend of 5 cents per share on the company's common stock for the quarter ended January 8, 2003. The dividend is payable on February...

Fleming announces regular three-month payout. (Money News).
February 10, 2003... FLEMING ANNOUNCES REGULAR THREE-MONTH PAYOUT: Fleming Cos. has declared a quarterly dividend of 2 cents per share on common stock, payable March 10, 2003, to shareholders of record on on February 20, 2003. BIGGEST GAINERS ...

Sears restructuring pays off. (Spotlight).(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
February 10, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Reaping the benefits of its Lands' End acquisition and an ongoing restructuring of its core retail business, Sears, Roebuck and Co. overcame weakness in its credit card business to book higher profits for both the...

Coutu net rises 24% in quarter.(Jean Coutu Group)
February 10, 2003... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Continuing to reap the benefits of the February 2002 acquisition of 80 former Osco drug stores in the Northeastern United States, Jean Coutu Group rang up sizeable gains in revenues and net income in the quarter and half...

Loss at A&P larger than anticipated.
February 10, 2003... MONTVALE, N.J. -- With competition eroding sales and margins and employee benefit costs swelling expenses, A&P registered a larger-than-expected loss in the third quarter. The supermarket operator did manage to narrow its bottom-line...

Bottom line at Supervalu slips despite sales gain. (Money).
February 10, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Stymied by a weak economy that has depressed grocery consumption, Supervalu Inc. saw its bottom line slip despite a modest gain in sales during fiscal 2003's third quarter. Year-to-date, however, lower interest rates helped...

Short-term results cloud true picture. (Opinion).(sales figures released too often)
February 10, 2003... By releasing sales figures on a monthly--sometimes weekly--basis, retailers are providing the investment community with regular updates on how they are doing. They may also be hurting their stock value and undermining their own financial...

Walgreens: 100 years later. (Opinion).
February 10, 2003... Walgreens held its annual shareholders meeting last month, 100 years after Charles Walgreen opened his first drug store in Chicago. Today the drug chain has far surpassed anything its founder could possibly have imagined on that day in 1903...

An optimistic point of view. (Opinion).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Economist Carl Steidtmann is upbeat about the economy, despite the pessimism that remains pervasive elsewhere. Optimism can be a lagging indicator, he says, because expectations are typically formed by looking in the rearview...

Delhaize bank test. (Global News).(in-store supermarket banking services)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... DELHAIZE BANK TEST: Delhaize-Le Lion SA is testing banking services in 15 of its Belgium-based supermarkets, marking the debut of financial product offerings on a self-service basis in the European nation. In addition to savings and...

AVA units in Russia. (Global News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... AVA UNITS IN RUSSIA: AVA expects to open as many as 10 hypermarkets in the Moscow area by 2006 or 2007. The German retailer's first hypermarket, a 40 million euro ($42.6 million) Marktkauf store that includes a supermarket, a do-it-yourself...

Boots clothing line. (Global News).(Boots Company PLC)(Adams Childrenswear Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... BOOTS CLOTHING LINE: Boots PLC has partnered with Adams Childrenswear PLC to introduce an exclusive children's wear line, called "mini mode," for newborns to 4-year-olds. The collection, which is part of an agreement that runs until 2006, marks...

P&G exec is tabbed. (Global News).(Mariano Martin, Procter and Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... P&G EXEC IS TABBED: Procter & Gamble Co. has named Mariano Martin global customer business development officer. Martin previously was vice president of global customer business development for the supplier.

Carrefour unit sold. (Global News).(Carrefour S.A.)(Organizacion Soriana S.A.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CARREFOUR UNIT SOLD: Carrefour SA has sold a supermarket in Saltillo, Mexico, to Mexican food retailer Organizacion Soriana SA. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Separately, the French hypermarket operator has sold 59 of its Spanish...

Grupo Gigante set to expand selling space by 4% to 5%.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... MEXICO CITY -- Mexican retailer Grupo Gigante has announced that it will invest 900 million pesos ($85 million) in an expansion program over the next 15 months. The move wee made in an attempt to keep pace with Wal-Mart de Mexico and other...

Metro, Koerber honored by NRF. (Spotlight).(National Retail Federation names Hans-Joachim Koerber of Metro AG International Retailer of the Year)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Going global is a major challenge for any retailer and success depends on a number of different factors according to Hans-Joachim Koerber, chairman and chief executive officer of Metro AG. Koerber and Metro received International...

Bidders for Safeway PLC multiply.
February 10, 2003... LONDON -- The possible sale of Britain's fourth-largest supermarket chain, Safeway PLC, has become increasingly complex as three more potential suitors--bringing the total to six--have expressed interest in the company in recent weeks. The...

U.K. may lift limits on pharmacy growth.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... LONDON -- Britain's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has recommended that restrictions on retail pharmacy development be lifted. The action would sweep away rules that have held the number of pharmacies in the United Kingdom unchanged at 12,250 for...

Japan stays out of Daiei restructuring.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TOKYO -- Japanese industry minister Takeo Kiranuma has denied a report that the Japanese government is poised to order troubled supermarket chain Daiei Inc. to revise its restructuring plan. "There is no plan whatsoever," said Kiranuma. "This...

Canada updates food labels.
February 10, 2003... OTTAWA -- Health Canada, the federal agency responsible for health protection and the regulation of food and drugs, published new regulations last month requiring food labels to carry nutritional information. The new standards move Canada...

Wal-Mart execs to join Seiyu board. (Global).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TOKYO -- Seiyu Ltd. Japan's fifth-largest retailer, is inviting five officials from Wal-Mart Stores Inc's international operations to join its board of directors. The nominees include Wal-Mart International president and chief executive officer...

Home DVD/VHS of `My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... HOME DVD/VHS OF `MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING': HBO Video has launched a multimillion-dollar marketing and promotional campaign to support the home DVD and VHS release on February 11 of the romantic hit comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The DVD will...

Pilot pen to introduce precise zing. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... PILOT PEN TO INTRODUCE PRECISE ZING: Pilot Pen Corp. has announced plans to expand its line of rolling ball pens with the introduction in March of the Precise Zing. Selling for $2.39 each, the pen is available in black, blue, red and green and...

Cover girl clean makeup line. (Merchandising News).(Procter and Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... COVER GIRL CLEAN MAKEUP LINE: Procter & Gamble Co. has expanded its Cover Girl brand of makeup to include clean oil-control foundation. Selling for $4.88, the foundation not only controls oily shine but contains oil-absorbing powders and skin...

Carbolite foods candy bar for diabetics. (Merchandising News).(Carbolite Foods Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CARBOLITE FOODS CANDY BAR FOR DIABETICS: Carbolite Foods Inc. has announced plans to introduce in March and April candy bars specifically designed for people with diabetes. Available in five flavors--chocolate truffle, chocolate crunch,...

Igo to unveil smallest powered screwdriver. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... IGO TO UNVEIL SMALLEST POWERED SCREWDRIVER: Igo Home Products has announced plans to introduce in April its Igo minipowered screwdriver, measuring 5-inches long and weighing 5 ounces. It is designed to drive and remove small screws on such...

Earth Foods introduces EcoBar snack treat. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... EARTH FOODS INTRODUCES ECOBAR SNACK TREAT: Earth Foods Inc. has introduced EcoBar, a snack bar that is vitamin-fortified, low-fat, low-sodium and cholesterol-free. Available in five flavors--rain forest frost, mountain majesty, oceanberry,...

Tanita scale plus body fat monitors. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TANITA SCALE PLUS BODY FAT MONITORS: Tanita Corp. has announced plans to lower the price of its entry model Ultimate Scale from $49.99 to $39.99 effective April 1. Its 2003 line of scale plus body fat monitors--including BF-679, BF-680, BF-681,...

`Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. (Merchandising News).
February 10, 2003... `HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS': Warner Home Video has announced plans to release Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on VHS and double-disc DVD April 11. The VHS format is to sell for $24.95 and the DVD for $29.95. The DVD...

Something bigger. (Spotlight).(category management survey )
February 10, 2003... EVANSTON, Ill. -- Category management is evolving into something bigger and more dynamic, research by Cannondale Associates suggests. The marketing and management consulting firm's latest Category Management Benchmark Study found that the...

Target adds items to its graves line.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. said last month that it planned to add 50 more products to its popular Michael Graves line this year. In addition, the company did an about face on a skin care product that it planned to phase out after the...

Meijer capitalizes on Kmart closings.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... DETROIT -- As Kmart Corp. closes a number of stores in this market, such chains as Meijer Pharmacies are taking advantage of the fact that a number of consumers are looking for new outlets to fill their prescriptions. "As soon as word hit...

Cover girl offers pixie magic.(from Procter and Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is poised to launch Cover Girl's Spring 2003 Pixie Magic color collection, featuring soft hues of pink, mauve and lavender blended with sparkle and shimmer. The line is highlighted by the...

Energizer to acquire Schick unit. (Merchandising).(Energizer Holdings Inc.)(Schick/Wilkinson Sword Div.)
February 10, 2003... ST. LOUIS -- Energizer Holdings Inc. agreed last month to acquire Pfizer Inc.'s Schick-Wilkinson Sword shaving products business for $930 million. The deal gives Energizer its first product line outside the battery category and puts it in...

Duracell to simplify things. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... BETHEL, Conn. -- Gillette Co.'s Duracell unit said last month that it will cut the price of its batteries, reduce promotional activities and increase the role of advertising. "The proliferation of trade promotions, deals and product...

L'Oreal winners. (Merchandising).(Face of a Generation contest)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... ORLANDO -- The winners of L'Oreal's Face of a Generation contest have been announced. The nationwide search conducted by the international beauty powerhouse has selected two beautiful, "everyday" 30-plus women to represent L'Oreal on the...

Licensed items standouts at Xmas. (Merchandising).(Christmas sales)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- While retail sales during the recent 2002 holiday season were weak, licenses attached to entertainment properties performed fairly well. Even in a very soft economy, retail sales of licensed consumer products rose just under 2%...

Product introductions put pizzazz back into hair care. (Hair Care).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- An influx of new products is expected to add luster to the hair care category this year. Unilever is single-handedly blitzing the category with introductions and extensive promotional support. The company is launching a new...

Overseas brands debut in U.S. (Merchandising).(in shampoo market)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Some of the biggest introductions in the shampoo segment involve products with proven track records in other countries. L'Oreal, the No. 5 vendor in the shampoo category according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), is...

Chains take private label offerings upscale. (Merchandising).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Private label products have made inroads in the hair care category, despite the fact that several brand name players effectively target the value-minded consumer. Although retailers do use private label lines as low-price...

Battle is on in hair coloring. (Merchandising).(with Procter & Gamble Co to launch revolutionary new hair coloring product)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) intends to revolutionize hair color with a discovery that sprang from the labs at its fabric care division. P&G scientists discovered that trace amounts of copper in tap water interfere with the...

Stylist links with Goody. (Merchandising).(Goody Products Inc, Richard Marin)
February 10, 2003... ATLANTA -- Goody Products Inc. has tapped celebrity hairstylist Richard Marin to serve as a creative consultant and spokesman for the company's collection of hair accessories. Marin, who has created hairstyles for such celebrities as Cindy...

Styling products thrive amidst diversity. (Hair Care).(hair styling products shape up as hot category in 2003)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Styling products are shaping up as a hot category in 2003, as vendors deliver products that cater to the latest fashion trends. Helping to drive the business is the fact that women are increasingly willing to try different hair...

Where science, technology meet fashion savvy. (Merchandising).(L'Oreal uses computer-assisted design software to learn about hair follicles)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CLICHY, France -- Product development in hair care is as much the result of science and technology as fashion savvy. With that in mind, researchers at L'Oreal are using sophisticated computer-assisted design software to learn more about...

Combating dry, damaged hair. (Hair Care).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The popularity of hair coloring and styling with hot curlers or straighteners has created a strong market for conditioning and treatment products for dry and damaged hair. Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is doing what it can to...

Dryers, stylers tout speed, no hot spots. (Merchandising).(ceramic technology)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- New technologies, licensed brand names and the latest style trends all shape the market for electric hair dryers and styling appliances. Introductions at the recent International Housewares Show in Chicago show that ceramic...

There's a styling tool for every need. (Merchandising).(where hair care is concerned)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Brushes and styling tools are an integral part of the hair care category and a mainstay of mass market retailers across the country. Hair care experts caution, however, that not all brushes are created the same. Some brushes,...

Women cite three biggest concerns. (Merchandising).(Alberto-Culver Co expands Tresemme hair care products range)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Alberto-Culver Co., building on the success of its Tresemme Hydrology hair care line, is adding products to address other common needs. The company's research has determined that three major hair care concerns are common among...

Innovations make health care easier. (Merchandising).(children's health products)(infant formula, electrolyte replacement)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The need for convenience continues to transform children's health aids as suppliers across a broad front are placing a premium on product efficacy in their offerings. In the over-the-counter remedies arena some vendors are...

`A category of huge significance'. (Children's H&BAs).(Children's health, beauty aids are important business for retailers )
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Children's health and beauty aids are an important business for retailers because they reach both youngsters and their parents. "It is important to remember that this category encompasses several product segments that have huge...

Wanted: low prices, novelty in cosmetics. (Merchandising).(by preteen, teen girls)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Change is the key word for teen and preteen girls who use cosmetics, a trend that is fostering demand for a steady stream of new makeup items. Generation Y girls, who range in age from 6 to 23, remain among the most...

Fragrance, color, texture in bath. (Children's H&BAs).(innovation driving force behind consumer interest in children's bath, body items)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The driving force behind consumer interest in children's bath and body items is innovation, industry experts say. Young people are very conscious of unique bath products as well as fragrances, colors and textures, according to...

Ear plugs ease sensitivities. (Merchandising).(Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC offers Children's EarPlanes)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. -- Children who complain of disturbing noises while traveling as well as those with water-sensitive ears represent a fertile market for the innovative ear plugs from Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC. The company's...

Sun care is protection and a tan for the young. (Merchandising).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Children and teens often seek tans while remaining unaware of the damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun at an early age. That reality suggests that sun care products that can appeal to young consumers while providing...

Teeth cleaning must be fun. (Merchandising).(children's oral care market transformed by imaginative new products)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Children's oral care continues to be transformed by a steady stream of imaginative products that are designed to make the teeth-cleaning experience a fun one. Retailers and suppliers have plenty of incentive to enhance the...

Licensing generates newness, excitement. (Children's H&BAs).(licensing deals used by health and beauty products industry to target children)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Retailers and suppliers of children's health and beauty aids continue to use licensing deals as builders of customer traffic and sales. Licensed character properties help generate a sense of newness and excitement about a...

Gentle naturals debuts. (Merchandising).(Del Pharmaceuticals Inc launches Gentle Naturals by Baby Orajel)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Del Pharmaceuticals Inc. is moving in a new direction with the addition of its Gentle Naturals by Baby Orajel collection to the company's popular Orajel family of products. The line features nature-inspired baby treatments that...

Confection arena retains vitality. (Food & Beverage).
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The candy category continued to be a steady, if not spectacular, producer in 2002 despite the doldrums that depressed many product segments. And while the outlook for 2003 is not scintillating, it promises some growth, according to...

Sugar-free, low-carb in demand. (Merchandising).(Carbolite Foods Inc targets diabetic market with new candy bar range)
February 10, 2003... EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The rising incidence of diabetes in this country has created opportunities for products geared to the needs of patients. Carbolite Foods Inc., which made its mark as a maker of low-carbohydrate, sugar-free food items, has...

Candy a mix of the `tried' and the `new'. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- The candy business has always been a mix of the tried and the new. While there are brands that have been able to maintain enormous popularity over several decades and even generations, there is nevertheless always room for new items...

Adams acquisition gives Cadbury Schweppes new muscle. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Pfizer Inc.'s sale of its Adams unit to Cadbury Schweppes PLC has created a new global leader in the confectionery business. It also makes Cadbury the No. 2 player in the chewing gum business with a 25% market share. The...

Beverages set pace for mass retailers. (Food & Beverage).(Industry Overview)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Beverages are a huge and vital business for mass market retailers. Last year, for example, the three top-selling categories in supermarkets, drug stores and discounters were carbonated beverages, milk and beer, representing a...

Merchandisinq a differentiator. (Merchandising).(for mass market outlets)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- Consumables are crucial to front-end operations of mass market outlets, adding incremental sales and strong profit margins. Savvy merchandising is key to the success of consumables, says Santosh Padki, director of marketing for...

Cott keeps pressure on soft drink giants. (Merchandising).(Cott Corp)
February 10, 2003... TORONTO -- Cott Corp., the maker of private label beverages for some of the world's largest retailers and the marketer of several brand name soft drinks, is giving category giants PepsiCo Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. a run for their money. ...