Mass Market Retailers articles from January 2002

Mass Market Retailers archives from January 2002

Safeway taps exec.(Phil Defliese Jr.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... SAFEWAY TAPS EXEC: Safeway Inc. has hired Phil Defliese Jr. to serve as vice president of finance and chief financial and administrative officer of its Seattle division. Defliese formerly held several executive-level financial positions with...

New unit for ahold.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... NEW UNIT FOR AHOLD: Dutch retailer Royal Ahold NV has acquired Brazilian supermarket chain G. Barbosa for an undisclosed price in a move to strengthen its current operations in that South American country. G. Barbosa, which operates 32...

Kroger names VP.(Michael Donnelly)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... KROGER NAMES VP: Kroger Co. has named Michael Donnelly group vice president of drug/GM merchandising and procurement. Donnelly had been president of the Fry's division of the supermarket chain since March 2000. He succeeds Terry Cox, who is...

Senior VP at ShopKo.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... SENIOR VP AT SHOPKO: ShopKo Stores Inc. has named Douglas Wurl senior vice president and general merchandise manager, home, at the company's ShopKo division. Wurl, who had been vice president and division merchandise manager of soft home...

Center for Big Lots.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... CENTER FOR BIG LOTS: Broad line closeout retailer Big Lots Inc. last month officially began construction of a new 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in Durant, Okla. The facility, located on 118 acres in the Durant International...

Kmart debt ratings cut by Moody's.(Moody's Investors Service downgrades Kmart Corp. debt to "junk" status)(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Kmart Corp. received some bad news right before Christmas in the form of a ratings downgrade from Moody's Investors Service. Moody's cut Kmart's senior unsecured debt rating to "junk" status, contending that there is not...

Holiday sales are disappointing at best.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The gods of the Christmas selling season forgot the mass retailing community this year. While this should surprise few retailing aficionados, it nonetheless disappointed those traditionally optimistic observers and...

Van der Hoeven is MMR Retailer of Year.(Caes van der Hoeven of Royal Ahold)
January 14, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- For myriad reasons and accomplishments, Cees van der Hoeven, president and chief executive officer of Royal Ahold NV, has been named MMR's Mass Market Retailer of the Year for 2001. Van der Hoeven is perhaps the...

Wal-Mart prepared to battle grocers on food prices. (News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Executives at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. say the chain is ready to battle all comers on food prices. The comments from Wal-Mart's top executives last month came a week after Kroger Co., which is locked in a head-to-head...

New supers getting smaller. (News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Supermarkets are getting smaller, but they are adding more specialty services, according to a new study released by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). FMI's "Facts about Store Development 2001" says the strength of the...

SureScript names chief exec. (News).(David Weinstein)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- David Weinstein, cofounder of one of the country's first electronic prescription systems, has been chosen chief executive officer of SureScript Systems Inc., a business venture formed by the National Association of Chain Drug...

Dollar General gets extensions. (News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- Bank lenders have granted Dollar General Corp. extensions to previously announced waivers for receipt of the company's financial statements. Under the terms of the extensions Dollar General will issue audited...

Tarqet reaches milestone. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- There were no dog days of August in 2001 at Target Corp., but there was a milestone. For the first time the Minneapolis-based chain's monthly sales volume exceeded that of Kmart Corp. As was the case for many retailers,...

Small discounters struggle. (A Look Back at 2001).(bankruptcy filings of Bradlees Inc., Ames Department Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The seemingly inevitable occurred in the past 13 months for two of the nation's remaining regional discount chains. Bradlees Inc. and Ames Department Stores Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11, with Bradlees...

Albertson's new CEO. (A Look Back at 2001).(Larry Johnston )(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- A new leader took the helm at Albertson's Inc. in January when Larry Johnston was tabbed to be the company's new chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding Gary Michael. "Although I don't profess to be a grocery or...

Ahold's presence grows. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The Dutch invasion continued last year as Royal Ahold NV acquired its sixth American chain with the purchase of Birmingham, Ala.-based Bruno's Supermarkets Inc. for $500 million. Bruno's joins Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., Giant...

Rite Aid bounces back. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. began 2001 as a retailer facing a major challenge. It starts 2002 as a chain completing a significant turnaround. The chain enters the new year free of the uncertainty of major debt obligations, thanks...

Web grocery business evolves. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Two events last midsummer may have signaled a change in direction for the fledgling on-line grocery business in the United States. Webvan Group Inc., which had been touted by some observers as representing the future because of...

Supervalu, Fleming revamp. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... DALLAS -- The interdependence of food wholesalers and the discount trade class was evident last year with the revamping of the country's top two food distribution companies. The overhauling of Supervalu Corp. and Fleming Cos.--companies...

Winn-Dixie gets back on track. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The 2001 fiscal year ended on a high note for Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. Completing an extensive restructuring program launched in April 2000, the company turned last year's loss into a profit. Net earnings for the...

Economic expansion ends. (A Look Back at 2001).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Very few retailers will look back on 2001 with other than bad memories. It was the year in which a decade of continuous growth--the longest period of expansion in United States history--came to a halt as the economy formally slid...

Changing of the guard at SDM. (A Look Back at 2001).(Glenn Murphy replaces David Bloom as the chairman and chief executive officer of Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... WILLOWDALE, Ontario -- Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) turned to a former senior executive at Loblaw Cos. to succeed David Bloom, who surprised many when he announced last February that he would step down as chairman and chief executive officer at...

Royal Ahold flourishes in the van der Hoeven Era. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- The Cees van der Hoeven era at Royal Ahold NV was initiated in 1993 when he succeeded Pierre Everaert as president and chief executive officer. It was a notable year for the company in other respects as well, as its...

The heart of Ahold's empire. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(overview of Royal Ahold N.V.'s European operations)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Although its holdings in the United States may claim the limelight because of their contributions to sales and profits, Royal Ahold NV remains a European company and its European operations are very much at the heart...

Albert Heijn the pacesetter. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(largest food retailer in Netherlands)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 14, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- The Royal Ahold empire began in 1887 when Albert Heijn took over a small grocery store in the town of Oostzaan. The business had swelled to 10 outlets by 1899, and by 1927 the company fielded 107 stores. In 1948...

Latin America integral part of operation. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(Royal Ahold's food retailing operations in South and Central America)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... BUENOS AIRES -- With 10% of its annual sales coming from its operations in 10 Central and South American countries, the region represents a vital component of Royal Ahold's business. All of Ahold's operations in Central and South America...

An emerging power in U.S. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... CHANTILLY, Va. -- The United States is already Royal Ahold NV's largest market, accounting for about 58% of total sales, and the company sees opportunities for further growth here. At least some of that growth will come from Ahold USA's...

Retailer committed to the Asian market. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... ZANDAAM, the Netherlands -- Royal Ahold NV's divestiture of stores in Singapore and China left it with a strong core of Asian outlets in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, say company officials. The retailer's sale of 61 units in 1999 left...

Food service segment grows. (News/Retailer Of The Year).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... COLUMBIA, Md. -- Ahold USA's food service business in the United States received a big boost with the recently completed acquisition of Alliant Exchange Inc., the parent company of Alliant Foodservice Inc. Ahold expanded into the food...

Scoreboard. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar % Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) Burlington 12/01 744.2 mil + 1.2...

Share repurchase at Sears.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... SHARE REPURCHASE AT SEARS: The board of directors at Sears, Roebuck and Co. has approved a $1.5 billion share-repurchase program. The common shares will be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Timing will...

Ingles markets declares cash dividend.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... INGLES MARKETS DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND: Ingles Markets Inc., which operates 203 supermarkets in six Southeastern states, has announced that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of 16.5 cents per share on all its Class A common...

Penney gets "buy" recommendation.(J.C. Penney Co.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... PENNEY GETS "BUY" RECOMMENDATION: JP Morgan retail analyst Shari Eberts started coverage of J.C. Penney Co. with a "buy" rating, citing improved operating performance at the company's Eckerd drug chain and a shift to centralized merchandising...

Supervalu declares dividend.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... SUPERVALU DECLARES DIVIDEND: The board of directors at Supervalu Inc. has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 14 cents per common share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2002, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on...

Biggest gainers. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 12/14/01 vs. 12/07/01 Change Circuit City 24.16 +2.85 +13.4 Dollar General 13.90 +0.40 + 3.0 CVS ...

Biggest losers. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 12/14/01 vs. 12/07/01 Change Value City 4.20 -1.45 -25.7 Kroger 20.51 -4.09 -16.6 Albertson's 30.72 ...

Most active. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 12/14/01 Shares 12/07/01 Kroger 81,086 9.8 +435.3 Safeway ...

Kroger retrenches as profit dips. (Spotlight).(Kroger Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Although earnings before onetime items rose at a double-digit clip, newly announced charges reduced Kroger Co.'s reported net profit by more than one-third during the third quarter. Fourth quarter results will be affected by more...

Costco net flat to start fiscal year. (Money).(Costco Wholesale Corp. )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Hindered by a consolidation provision and other factors, Costco Wholesale Corp. started fiscal 2002 on virtually even bottomline footing with fiscal 2001's first quarter. The operator of 385 warehouse clubs in seven...

Ahold USA flourishes. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Royal Ahold NV continued to reap the productivity of its holdings in the United States in the 12 weeks ended October 7, as both the retail and food service divisions generated double-digit gains in operating...

Penn Traffic posts $26.4 million loss. (Money).(Penn Traffic Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Feeling the sting of a noncash amortization charge as well as startup costs for its loyalty card program, Penn Traffic Co. recorded a $26.4 million net loss in the third quarter. However, adjusted earnings were substantially...

Pathmark makes more progress. (Money).(Pathmark Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pro-forma earnings skyrocketed during the 13 weeks ended November 3 for Pathmark Stores Inc., which exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2000. Third quarter income for the regional food and drug retailer...

Albertson's profits rise 2.3%. (Money).(Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- With sales on the rise and cost controls producing better operating results, Albertson's Inc. met its own as well as analysts' expectations for earnings growth in the third quarter. Net income rose 2.3% to $176.0 million in...

Setting a store apart. (Opinion).(Prada and Toys R Us in New York)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... Two stores that recently opened in New York City take retailing beyond the quotidian. By using very different means in terms of design and amenities, they succeed in making shopping a memorable experience. The first is Prada's new outlet in...

2002 will be Wal-Mart's year. (Opinion).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... This is perhaps not the best of news for Wal-Mart's competitors here and around the globe, but 2002 could well be the year that Wal-Mart eclipses, in every measurable operating barometer, the best single-year retailing performance in its, or...

OIG report blasted. (Opinion).(Office of the Inspector General, Dept of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report greatly distorts the price pharmacies pay for prescription drugs and offers an unacceptable remedy for correcting the situation, the two largest organizations...

U.K. conduct code.(Tesco PLC, J. Sainsbury PLC and Safeway PLC sign conduct code to prevent abuse of power)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... U.K. CONDUCT CODE: Several leading supermarket chains in the United Kingdom, including Tesco PLC, J. Sainsbury PLC and Safeway PLC, have signed a conduct code to prevent these food retailers from abusing their power over suppliers. A fourth...

Canadian tire bid.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... CANADIAN TIRE BID: Canadian Tire Corp., the largest hard goods retailer in Canada, has made a bid to acquire Mark's Work Wearhouse for $116 million ($73.7 million U.S.). Canadian Tire, which is funding the offer from its cash holdings, expects...

Ahold unit delisted.(Bompreco S.A. Supermercados do Nordeste delisted from stock exchanges in New York, Sao Paulo and Luxembourg)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... AHOLD UNIT DELISTED: Bompreco, the Brazilian unit of Royal Ahold NV, has been delisted from the stock exchanges in New York, Sao Paulo and Luxembourg. The 111-store chain, which operates supermarkets and hypermarkets in northeastern Brazil, is...

Kotobukiya in filing.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... KOTOBUKIYA IN FILING: Japanese regional retailer Kotobukiya Co. has filed for court protection from its creditors after failing to agree on a deal with supermarket operator Sun Life Co. Kotobukiya, which has debts totaling 205.8 billion yen...

Tesco stake O.K.'D.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... TESCO STAKE O.K.'D: The investment by Tesco PLC in Thailand will not be harmed by recent grenade and shooting attacks on Thai superstores owned by the British food retailer, according to a remark made by British Junior Foreign Minister Ben...

Coles Myer rebuilds. (Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... SYDNEY, Australia -- After four months at the helm of Coles Myer Ltd., chief executive officer John Fletcher has promised to restore the country's largest retailer to its former glory over the next few years. In fact, Fletcher says, the...

Zellers is still force in Canada. (Global).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... TORONTO--Seven years after Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s move into Canada caused retail analysts to start sounding the death knell for Zellers Inc., the home-grown discount chain is thriving. To battle Wal-Mart on price, executives at the...

Tesco plans more China stores. (Global).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... CHESHUNT, England -- Supermarket operator Tesco Stores Ltd. disclosed last month that it plans to expand into China this year. The company's first store is expected to be in the southern province of Guangdong, near Hong Kong. Analysts...

Wal-Mart decides to handle import operations in house. (Global).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will move its import operations into company offices worldwide starting next month in an effort to further refine its global-sourcing program. The new global-procurement division of the world's...

Trinidad gets second PriceSmart. (Global).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... PORT-of-SPAIN, Trinidad -- San Diego, Calif.-based PriceSmart Inc. has opened its second membership-shopping warehouse in Trinidad, unveiling an outlet in this capital city in early December. Executives note that the Port-of-Spain warehouse is...

Cover girl 2002 prom night collection.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... COVER GIRL 2002 PROM NIGHT COLLECTION: Cover Girl Cosmetics, a division of Procter & Gamble Co., has announced plans to introduce its Enchanted You 2002 Prom collection in March. The limited edition line offers teens eye, face and nail products...

Almay sets pure Tints lip care debut.(March Pure Tints protective lip care)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... ALMAY SETS PURE TINTS LIP CARE DEBUT: Revlon Inc.'s Almay brand has announced plans to introduce in the month of March Pure Tints protective lip care, a combination of color and care in one tube. The product pairs sheer color, including such...

Uniliver repackages Dove body wash.(Nutrium)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... UNILEVER REPACKAGES DOVE BODY WASH: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA's Dove brand has reintroduced its Nutrium body wash in a single chamber. The new formula contains a moisturizing cleanser and a vitamin E lotion encapsulated in nutrient...

Gillette for women shaving system.(Crystal Clear Venus triple-blade razor )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... GILLETTE FOR WOMEN SHAVING SYSTEM: Gillette Co. has announced plans to expand its Venus shaving system for women by introducing the Gillette for Women Crystal Clear Venus in April. The Crystal Clear Venus triple-blade razor comes with a...

Sci-Box offers BioFree Mail Box.(Sci-Box L.L.C.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 14, 2002... SCI-BOX OFFERS BIOFREE MAIL BOX: Sci-Box LLC has introduced the BioFree Mail Box for corporate and residential use. The cabinet oak-wood style glove box allows for the isolation, previewing and opening of mail within an enclosed environment. It...

Trident White gum to brighten teeth.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... TRIDENT WHITE GUM TO BRIGHTEN TEETH: Pfizer Inc.'s Adams Division has introduced Trident White, a chewing gum that whitens teeth. Available in peppermint and wintergreen, the gum uses a proprietary whitening technology that does not affect...

Galderma's Cetaphil brand gets new look.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... GALDERMA'S CETAPHIL BRAND GETS NEW LOOK: Galderma Laboratories has announced plans to integrate packaging changes into its Cetaphil line for the spring. The design will maintain Cetaphil's hallmark white, blue and turquoise green colors, but...

Walt Disney treasures released on DVD.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 14, 2002... WALT DISNEY TREASURES RELEASED ON DVD: Walt Disney Home Entertainment has released Walt Disney Treasures on Disney DVD, which includes Mickey Mouse's early color adventures, the first technicolor cartoon, the debut of Donald Duck and the...

New product pacesetters, 2000-2001. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... New Product Pacesetters, 2000-2001 Sales Product (Company) (in mil.) Category 1. Iam's (P&G) $469 Pet Food 2. Metabolife 356 (Metabolife)...

Proven brands rule. (Spotlight).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... CHICAGO -- Novelty and creativity appear to be less and less important as success factors for new consumer packaged products. More significant, seemingly, is having an established, successful brand backed up by major league advertising and...

Marketing deal inked by Coke, Ali. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... ATLANTA -- A global partnership that will involve a number of community and marketing initiatives has been agreed upon by Coca-Cola Co. and Muhammad Ali. Terms of the agreement were not announced. "Our partnership with Muhammad Ali,...

Ecko line to be sold at Target. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS--Target Stores has been named exclusive seller of Physical Science, a sportswear line developed by fashion artist Marc Ecko, beginning this summer. The retailer recently reached an agreement with Ecko Unlimited to sell the brand,...

Chains form Xmas alliance. (Merchandising).(Walgreen Co.'s stores offer gift cards from Toys "R" Us Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK-- The holiday season forged an alliance that crossed trade classes as Toys "R" Us Inc. teamed with Walgreen Co. to make it possible for consumers to buy the toy chain's gift cards at Walgreens stores across the country. "This...

LecTec enters cosmeceuticals market with NeoSkin. (Merchandising).(new skin care line includes eye treatments, face mask)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 14, 2002... MINNETONKA, Minn. -- LecTec Corp. will expand into the skin care cosmeceuticals market next month with the launch of a three-product line to be marketed under the NeoSkin name. Recognized as a marketer of patch-therapy products, the skin care...

CVS offers lifestream monitor. (Merchandising).(Lifestream Technologies' Lifestream Personal Cholesterol Monitor)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 14, 2002... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. is distributing a new smart card-enabled personal cholesterol monitor in its stores and on its web site, cvs.com. Lifestream Technologies' Lifestream Personal Cholesterol Monitor, which was approved by the...

Nestle must divest two brands. (Merchandising).(acquisition of Ralston Purina Co.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered Nestle SA to divest the Meow Mix and Alley Cat brands of Ralston Purina Co. as part of a consent agreement allowing Nestle to complete its $10.3 billion acquisition of Ralston Purina....

One PL line serves two chains. (Merchandising).(Drug Emporium private label)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Snyder's Drug Stores Inc. has extended the Drug Emporium private label to its Snyder's stores. After purchasing 76 Drug Emporium Inc. outlets last year the company has chosen to use the name for its house brand...

Expanded offerings. (Merchandising).(BlueLight.com's Music and Movie Stores)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO--BlueLight.com, the on-line arm of Kmart Corp., has updated its Music and Movie stores with an expanded catalog and a number of special features. The web site has widened its inventory of CDs, DVDs and videos to over 65,000...

Digital revolution fuels blank audio. (Merchandising).(compact disc technology surpasses cassette technology)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK--The digital revolution has transformed the blank audio media category. Sales of analog audiocassettes have fallen, while the CD-R (recordable compact disc) has increasingly become the medium of choice for recording music and data. ...

Internet music helps spur demand for CD-R format. (Merchandising).(Pressplay music subscription service launches)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- In another example of how the Internet is spurring the CD-R music business, Pressplay, an on-line joint venture between Sony Corp. and Vivendi Universal, plans to roll out its long-awaited subscription service with a limited...

Technology catalyst for change. (Blank Media).(recordable optical media and blank audio cassettes industries)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Technological change, in particular the digital revolution, is transforming the blank media category. A business that once consisted almost entirely of analog products, audiotape cassettes and videotape cassettes is now in flux,...

Videocassettes remain vibrant. (Blank Media).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- While digital formats have overtaken traditional audiocassettes in popularity, the analog videocassette continues to enjoy a strong following. Although dollar sales of blank videocassettes slipped 6.2% during the 52 weeks ended...

Innovation invigorates blank media. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- Technology created the blank recording media category and ongoing waves of innovation are continuing to reshape it. The latest breakthrough has come from Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. Fuji has compiled an impressive record...

Recordable DVD next big wave. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The next wave of the digital revolution is still on the horizon, but moving in with deceptive speed: the recordable DVD (digital video disc). According to Peter Brinkman, vice president of sales for Maxell Corp., this year will see...

Personal care appliances ideal gifts. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Personal care appliances ranging from electric shavers to back massagers have long been considered ideal gifts, and manufacturers and retailers alike have traditionally responded by promoting the products heavily during the holiday...

Men's needs under scrutiny. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- Men represent a growth opportunity in the personal appliance category, vendors say. Although men's needs have long been addressed with certain kinds of products, including electric shavers and hot shaving cream dispensers, in...

`As seen on TV' an effective way to sell. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The "as seen on TV" arena has long been a spawning ground for innovative personal care appliances, some of which find mainline placement in mass retail stores. One such product is Conair Corp.'s Quick Braid, a handheld,...

Stress control begins at home. (Personal Care).(expected growth of personal care appliance category)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2002... NEW YORK -- The personal care appliance category is expected to benefit as stressed out Americans seek to transform their homes into places of comfort and good health. Many industry observers expect the business to thrive in the coming...