Mass Market Retailers articles from March 2006

Mass Market Retailers archives from March 2006

New A&P prototype.(Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW A&P PROTOTYPE: A&P has introduced a new version of its Fresh Markets concept via a renovated store in Midland Park, N.J. The prototype, which incorporates lessons from A&P's stores in the United States as well as from its sold-off Canadian...

Family food benefit.(food retailers lowers prices, competition)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... FAMILY FOOD BENEFIT: Fierce competition between food retailers is holding down prices, according to an Agriculture Department economist. Families in the U.S. save an average of about $500 a year when a variety of food retailers is available,...

ASDA testing outlet.(ASDA Group Ltd. plans to open a convenience store)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... ASDA TESTING OUTLET: Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Asda subsidiary in the United Kingdom plans to open its first convenience store later this month in Northampton, England. The outlet will be the first of six smaller stores, dubbed "Asda Essentials,"...

Family Dollar at 6,000.(Family Dollar Stores Inc. opens new store)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... FAMILY DOLLAR AT 6,000: Family Dollar Stores Inc. reached a milestone last month with the opening of its 6,000th store. The outlet, located in Joliet, III., is one of 400 the chain intends to open this year. Family Dollar, which opened its...

Wal-Mart can grow.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s growth forecast)
March 6, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- One of the challenges that has vexed Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in recent years is convincing investors that the giant retailer still has room to grow. The situation is clearly illustrated in the company's reported record results...

Target plans to expand its food mix.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. intends to make a bigger push into the food sector in a bid to bring more shoppers into its stores while staving off competition from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Part of its strategy is to increase food products sold in its...

Supervalu to divest Deal$ stores.(Dollar Tree Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. has signed a letter of intent to sell its Deal$ stores to Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for about $30.5 million and a yet-to-be-determined amount of inventory. Supervalu's decision to dispose of the Deal$ unit will...

Nash Finch exec ranks change.(Allister Graham to work as interim chief executive officer, Kathleen McDermott resigns, Kathleen Mahoney promoted)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Allister Graham, chairman of the board of directors of Nash Finch Co., has assumed the position of interim chief executive officer following the departure of Ron Marshall, who has stepped down from his position as CEO. The...

Sale raises questions for HBC.(financier Jerry Zucker to acquire Hudson's Bay Co.)
March 6, 2006... TORONTO -- It now appears certain that Jerry Zucker will secure control of Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC), since the retailer's board of directors has accepted a sweetened offer from the North Carolina financier. The question for Zucker is how to best...

Transaction fees blasted.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 6, 2006... WASHINGTON -- When consumers pay for their groceries with a credit or debit card, the fee paid to the card issuer is higher than the supermarket's net profit on the transaction. Food Marketing Institute president and chief executive officer...

Ahold is back in expansion mode.(Koninklijke Ahold N.V., planning)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- Ahold NV chief executive Anders Moberg has indicated plans to expand the company's presence in the United States and Europe through a series of acquisitions and new-store openings. Ahold has already indicated its interest in...

Consumers ambivalent on retail giant.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc., survey)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... HINGHAM, Mass. -- Americans continue to have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart Stores Inc., a recent survey suggests. Although consumers keep on voting for the retailer with their shopping dollars, almost two-thirds of those polled (63%) in a...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 6, 2006... An item on the Dr. Fresh Fire Fly toothbrush in the Supply Side News column of the February 6 issue of MMR provided an incorrect address and phone number for Dr. Fresh Inc. The company's correct address is 6645 Caballero Blvd., Buena Park,...

Beware customer discontent.(customer satisfaction surveys)
March 6, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- A major new study of shoppers' discontents offers the startling conclusion that retailers may lose more business from negative word of mouth than from loss of customers who actually have a bad experience. "Retail Customer...

Shopper satisfaction isn't so easy to measure accurately.(customer satisfaction surveys)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- By an ironic coincidence, the same day that "Retail Customer Dissatisfaction Study, 2006" was issued by the Verde Group and the Baker Retail Initiative at the Wharton School, the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business...

Scoreboard.(manufacturers and retailers- industry sales)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar % Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) Ingles 12/24 623.4 mi1 +11.5 ...

Biggest gainers.(stock market indicators)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 2/10/06 vs. 01/27/06 Change Wild Oats 14.46 +2.59 +21.8 Dollar Tree 27.11 +2.08 +8.3 Ahold ...

Biggest losers.(retail stock market indicators)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 2/10/06 vs. 01/27/06 Change drugstore.com 2.76 -0.45 -14.0 Whole Foods 64.85 -8.15 -11.2 A&P ...

Most active.(retail stores' stock markets indicators)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... MOST ACTIVE Close Change % Stock 2/10/06 vs. 01/27/06 Change Wild Oats 4,524 15.6 +376.5 Whole Foods 23,964 17.2 +187.3 Ruddick ...

Target tops goals.(sales and earnings)
March 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. concluded a triumphant fiscal 2005 with an increase in earnings from continuing operations of nearly 28% and sales that exceeded $51 billion--a performance that beat its internal objectives. However, even though...

Ingles net surges 53% in quarter.(Ingles Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Ingles Markets Inc. got off to an impressive start in fiscal 2006 as net income soared by more than 50% on double-digit sales growth and sound expense controls. The bottom line for the quarter ended December 24, 2005,...

Shoppers Drug Mart 'strengthens position'.(sales and earnings)
March 6, 2006... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (SDM) wound up fiscal 2005 with double-digit increases in net earnings for both the year and the fourth quarter, as impressive top-line growth combined with effective cost controls to produce results that...

Stater Bros. earnings rise 2.1% on 3.3% sales increase.(revenues)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... COLTON, Calif. -- Having cycled through a year of difficult comparisons due to the southern California grocery strike of 2003/2004, Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. recorded modest gains at both the top and bottom lines in the first quarter of fiscal...

Newcomers impact scene.(FamilyMart Company Ltd. and Tesco PLC plans to launch stores in United States)(Column)
March 6, 2006... Two retailers based overseas are attempting to redefine the convenience store concept in the United States. If they are successful, they could have a significant impact on the changing dynamics of food shopping. Tesco, the top retailer in...

Corbett a tough act to follow.(Woolworths Supermarkets' Roger Corbett to retire)(Column)
March 6, 2006... The best job in mass market retailing is about to become available. All indications point to the conclusion that Roger Corbett, the redoubtable chief executive at Woolworths, Australia's largest and most successful food retailer, will...

What research can tell retailers: while all chains talk about service, the reality can be very different.(Column)
March 6, 2006... Elsewhere in this issue of MMR is a report on an important analysis of the discontents of retail shoppers in the United States. The research, titled "Customer Dissatisfaction Study, 2006" and issued by the Wharton School and Verde Group, a...

Kmart.(promotions and marketing)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... KMART: A weekly circular for Trenton, N.J., good for the week ended February 11, featured Energizer Holdings Inc.'s Energizer batteries, Ah, or AAA 8-pack, C or D 4-pack, or 9V 2-pack, selling two for $9. Procter & Gamble Co.'s 14-count...

Kroger.(promotions and marketing)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... KROGER: The supermarket operator highlighted several offers in its online flyer for Cincinnati that were good from February 6 to February 12. These specials, which required use of the retailer's frequent-shopper card, included PepsiCo Inc.'s...

Walgreens.(promotions and marketing)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... WALGREENS: A weekly circular for Carrollton, Texas, good from February 5 to February 11, featured a variety of Hershey Co. and Mars Inc. candy in 8.5- to 14-ounce bags, selling two for $5. McNeil Pharmaceutical's 50-pack Tylenol pain relief was...

Publix.(Publix Super Markets Inc.'s marketing strategy)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... PUBLIX: An online flyer for Coral Gables, Fla., which was good from February 9 to February 15, featured a "buy one, get one free" offering on assorted varieties of Frito-Lay Inc.'s Doritos tortilla chips, 13-ounce bags, excluding baked, light...

Marketing takes on a more prominent role at Wal-Mart.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to hire marketing staff)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- As part of a drive to broaden its consumer appeal, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is sharply expanding the ranks and capabilities of its marketing department. This year the retailer plans to add about 60 positions to a marketing...

Now it's supers vs. restaurants.(food selling)
March 6, 2006... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When it comes to selling food, supermarkets are not just competing with supercenters and other alternative store formats. They are also competing with restaurants. For years consumers have been eating out more and thus...

Two supers team up with Starbucks.(Stop and Shop Supermarket Co. and Giant Food Inc. signs license agreement with Starbucks Coffee Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... QUINCY, Mass. -- Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. and Giant Food Inc. have reached a five-year agreement with Starbucks Coffee Corp. to open Starbucks licensed stores inside Stop & Shop and Giant supermarkets. Under the agreement Starbucks will open...

Loblaws plans clothing line.(Loblaw Companies Ltd. plans to launch low-price apparels)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... BRAMPTON, Ontario -- Canadian supermarket and superstore operator Loblaw Cos. is gearing up to offer a low-price apparel line in a move aimed at discount store Wal-Mart Canada Inc. Loblaws, Canada's largest supermarket operator, has been...

PL pet food launched by Target.(pet foods launched)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. has launched a new line of premium pet food, which it will sell exclusively in its stores under the LIFELong brand. The LIFELong product line, which includes both dog food and cat food, is based on five...

Over-the-counter remedies.(over-the-counter drugs business and industry sales)
March 6, 2006... Over-the-counter medications are a huge business in the United States, but overall sales growth has been uneven, with different categories experiencing surges at different times. However, a number of factors suggest that the pace of expansion...

Decor, design are watchwords.(home furnishing goods marketing at International Home and Housewares Show)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- The popularity of "Trading Spaces" and other home-improvement programs is reinforcing the urge of consumers to make fashion statements with their own homes. Design and decor will command the spotlight at the upcoming 2006...

Candles versatile in enhancing the home.(candles merchandising)(home furnishing trends)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Candles play a dual role in home decor, creating a particular mood via their scent while playing a design role through their various shapes, colors and configurations. "Consumers use scented candles not just to mask odors, but...

All paper towels aren't the same.(merchandising)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Paper towels are a mainstay business for mass retailers, generating annual sales of about $2.18 billion, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Consumers may not always give much thought to the products they use for...

Burt's Bees exec.(John Replogle appointed)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... BURT'S BEES EXEC: Burt's Bees Inc. has named John Replogle chief executive officer and president. He is replacing Doug Meyer, who has left the company to pursue other interests. Previously Replogle spent three years at Unilever Home & Personal...

Hershey customer VP.(Dan Vucovich appointed)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... HERSHEY CUSTOMER VP: Hershey Co. has named Dan Vucovich vice president, chief customer officer of its U.S. commercial group. He joins the company from Pepsi-Cola North America, where he served as vice president of business development. In his...

Apothecus tabs exec.(Joycelyn Elders appointed at Apothecus Pharmaceutical Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... APOTHECUS TABS EXEC: Former U.S. surgeon general Joycelyn Elders has been named medical director of Apothecus Pharmaceutical Corp. In her new post Dr. Elders, who served as the country's chief physician during the Clinton administration, is...

PTM development VP.(PTM Images has named DonnaMaria Mac Kay as vice president)(Brief article)
March 6, 2006... PTM DEVELOPMENT VP: PTM Images has named DonnaMaria Mac Kay vice president of product development. She brings nearly 20 years of industry experience to the post, including extensive knowledge of international merchants and leadership positions...

Dana Classic posting.(Laura Klamo appointed at Dana Classic Fragrances Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... DANA CLASSIC POSTING: Dana Classic Fragrances has named Laura Klamo to the newly created post of director of national accounts. In her new post she is responsible for managing sales of the Dana fragrance, Cosmar and Frills brands. Previously...

Natrol appoints CEO.(Wayne Bos appointed)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NATROL APPOINTS CEO: Natrol Inc. has named Wayne Bos chief executive officer and president. He has also been appointed to Natrol's board of directors.

A new vision of Del cosmetics.(Harvey Alstodt)
March 6, 2006... UNIONDALE, N.Y. The cosmetics business is not getting any easier, but Harvey Alstodt sees a bright future in the category for Del Laboratories Inc. As president of Del cosmetics, Alstodt oversees all of the maker's cosmetics brands: Sally...

Schnucks makes three promotions.(Richard Frede Jr., Lori Caster and Mark Zimmerman promoted at Schnuck Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Schnuck Markets Inc. has promoted three executives, who have assumed responsibilities for major departments within the company's grocery operation. The promotions were made because of the retirement of senior vice president Robert...

GMA's Molpus will step down.(C. Manley Molpus, Grocery Manufacturers Association )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... WASHINGTON -- C. Manley Molpus, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), will step down at the end of this year. Molpus has headed the organization since 1990. Steve Sanger, chairman and chief...

Exec posts realigned at NACDS.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- NACDS has named Jim Whitman senior vice president for member programs, a new position. Whitman will head a new unit within NACDS that includes Fitz Elder, vice president and chief member relations officer, and Steve...

New Rite Aid format.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... NEW RITE AID FORMAT: Rite Aid Corp. opened the first store in central Pennsylvania to feature the company's "Customer World" design, which has widened aisles, expanded merchandise assortments and improved store navigation. The format is Rite...

Playtime at Target.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(new toy section)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... PLAYTIME TARGET: Target Corp. has introduced Time to Play!, a new toy section that focuses on classic and educational toys. The retailer has also introduced its own line of toys under the PlayWonder brand.

Whole Foods future.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(forecasting sales)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... WHOLE FOODS FUTURE: Whole Foods Market Inc. founder and chief executive officer John Mackey told shareholders that the company can achieve sales of $12 billion--twice the company's current volume--by 2010. To reach that goal, the company needs...

Grocery Outlet ceos.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(taps Gregor Read and Eric Lindberg)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... GROCERY OUTLET CEOS: Grocery Outlet Inc., an extreme-value retailer with 124 stores in six Western states and Hawaii, has tapped MacGregor Read and Eric Lindberg to serve as co-chief executive officers. Read had been vice president of real...

Publix grows Sabor.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Publix Super Markets Inc.'s new format aimed at Hispanics)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... PUBLIX GROWS SABOR: Publix Super Markets Inc. is expanding its Sabor format, aimed at Hispanics, with two new stores in south Florida.

More Dollar stores.(SPOTLIGHT)(Dollar General Corp., Family Dollar Stores Inc. and Dollar Tree Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... NEW YORK -- Dollar store operators continue to steadily expand, despite a challenging operating environment. Dollar General Corp. opened up its 8,000th unit on March 3. "This is an exciting time for the Dollar General family," chairman and...

Dominick's tries format in Chicago.(Safeway Inc.'s lifestyle store)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... CHICAGO -- Safeway Inc. is bringing its "lifestyle store" concept to the Windy City. The company recently opened a Dominick's Finer Foods Lifestyle Store in Chicago's downtown Streeterville neighborhood. Dominick's plans to remodel as many...

Winn-Dixie will close 35 stores.(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has announced plans to close or sell another 35 stores. The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year, had already decided to sell or close 326 stores. "Over the...

Discounters buck tough February.(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... NEW YORK -- February sales were disappointing for many retailers, as cold weather in much of the country kept people out of stores. Discount stores generally performed reasonably well, despite the challenging sales climate, and department...

Sears Grand eclipses Essentials format.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. is dropping its year-old Sears Essentials format in favor of another off-mall concept called Sears Grand. Sears Grand stores were generally larger than the newer Sears Essentials outlets,...

IRI honors innovators.(NEWS)(Information Resources Inc. )(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO -- Campbell Soup Co., McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) and CVS Corp. won top honors at the third annual Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail Excellence Awards. Information Resources Inc. (IRI), AMR...

Correction.(Correction notice)
March 20, 2006... An article on breath fresheners in the February 20 issue of MMR erroneously identified the spokesman for Dr. Harold Katz LLC and the TheraBreath brand. The spokesman is Curt Behrens.

FDIC to hear bank bid.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... FDIC TO HEAR BANK BID: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has announced that it will hold a public hearing on April 10 and April 11 in the Washington, D.C., area on Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s bid to open an industrial bank. A second hearing will...

Stores stock Plan B.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to carry contraceptives)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... STORES STOCK PLAN B: Wal-Mart announced early this month that it will carry Plan B emergency contraceptives in all of its U.S. pharmacies. The move came after Massachusetts and Illinois passed laws requiring Wal-Mart to carry the morning-after...

More clinics coming.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... MORE CLINICS COMING: Wal-Mart has announced plans to open more than 50 in-store health clinics this year. It currently has nine of the units, which are operated by third parties and provide non-emergency treatment for such common illnesses as...

Health care plans.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... HEALTH CARE PLANS: Wal-Mart, which has been criticized over the health care coverage it offers its employees, plans to change its rules to allow part-time workers to enroll their children in the company's health care plan. Chief executive...

Supervalu ready to become No. 2 in supermarketing.(NEWS/SUPERVALU)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Supervalu Inc.'s planned acquisition of Albertsons Inc. is a very big deal, for the company and for the grocery industry as a whole. Supervalu will be transformed, explains chairman and chief executive officer Jeff...

Goal: get the best of Albertsons' food stores.(NEWS/SUPERVALU)
March 20, 2006... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- What Supervalu does not get in its Albertsons acquisition may prove as critical to the deal's success as the operations it does acquire. Supervalu is not, for example, going to become a chain drug retailer as a...

Sale ends Albertsons' frustrations.(NEWS/SUPERVALU)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... BOISE, Idaho -- With its agreement to sell all of its assets to a consortium of investors including Supervalu Inc., CVS Corp. and a group headed by Cerberus Capital Management LP, Albertsons Inc. gave up its claim as the nation's No. 2 grocery...

Bristol Farms broadens Supervalu.(acquisition)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Upscale gourmet and specialty food chain Bristol Farms, with 11 stores in southern California, is known for its high-end food items and personalized service. While Bristol Farms is a small piece of Supervalu's large take in...

Jewel presence in Chicago made deal sweeter.(Albertson's Inc., SUPERVALU Inc., Super Discount Markets Inc. and Cerberus Capital Management L.P.)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Jewel Food Stores and Jewel-Osco supermarkets and combination food/ drug stores are well established in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, where they are concentrated in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. The stores'...

Shaw's brings market presence, more upscale image.
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Shaw's Supermarkets Inc. is a well-established name in New England retailing. Shaw's, the No. 2 grocery chain in the Boston market, has roots that date from the Civil War. The chain includes 210 conventional supermarkets and...

Supervalu share in Philly hits 20%.(Acme Markets Inc. acquired)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu will gain Acme Markets Inc. as part of its deal to acquire some of the most valuable parts of Albertsons Inc.'s grocery store operation. Acme holds the No. 1 market share in Philadelphia. Its stores include both...

Save-A-Lot format has niche that pays.(Moran Group Inc.)
March 20, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Save-A-Lot, an extreme-value grocery chain based here, is an example both of Supervalu's multiformat strategy and of the "fresh ideas" the company touts. With a total of about 1,227 stores in 39 states, the company is by far the...

Supervalu exits the dollar store business.(Deal$ acquired by Dollar Tree Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Four years after acquiring the Deal$--Nothing Over a Dollar chain, Supervalu has decided to sell the dollar store chain to Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for about $30.5 million in cash plus inventory. In effect, the Deal$ stores...

Multiformat strategy an obvious advantage to build on.(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu's multiformat strategy recognizes that different consumers in different markets have different needs and tastes. For that reason, the company's regional chains, operating under separate banners, utilize different...

Supervalu business model to focus on higher margin growth.(Albertson's Inc. acquired)
March 20, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- The acquisition of the choicest pieces of Albertsons Inc.'s supermarket and food/drug combination store business represents a huge step up for Supervalu. On one level, though, it simply represents the implementation--on a mammoth...

Grocery supply chain expertise is its forte.(SUPERVALU Inc. to acquire Albertson's Inc.)
March 20, 2006... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The food retailing business will become the main source of revenue at the new Supervalu. The company's supply chain operations, which last year accounted for about 47% of its revenues, will account for just 20% once the...

The evolution of Supervalu.
March 20, 2006... 1924 The Newell Company, which will merge with Winston, Harper and Fisher to create the Winston and Newell Company (the parent of Supervalu), builds a modern grocery warehouse in Minneapolis. Innovations include a chute that allows...

Scoreboard.(Image)
March 20, 2006... SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar % Income % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) Change Big Lots (1) 01/28 1.39 bil ...

Biggest gainers.(Image)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 03/03/06 vs. 02/10/06 Change Wild Oats 18.26 +3.80 +26.3 Longs 48.35 +8.95 +26.0 Rite Aid ...

Biggest losers.(Image)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 03/03/06 vs. 02/10/06 Change Fred's 13.50 -0.86 -6.0 drugstore.com 2.61 -0.15 -5.4 Circuit City 23.60...

Most active.(Image)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... MOST ACTIVE Vol .(000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 03/03/06 Shares 02/10/06 Rite Aid 56,157 21.8 +354.3 Saks ...

Safeway on the rise.
March 20, 2006... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Fourth quarter net declined by 14.1% at Safeway Inc. in the wake of several unusual items, but adjusted results advanced at a 13.5% pace to surpass analysts' expectations as the company's new Lifestyle store format drove...

Wal-Mart results hit new highs.(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Fiscal 2006 ended with record sales and profits for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and a strong finish enabled the retailer to edge past analysts' earnings expectations for the fourth quarter. Management's restrained outlook for the...