Mass Market Retailers articles from March 2008

Mass Market Retailers archives from March 2008

Aldi to open stores.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Discount grocery chain Aldi is opening five stores in Rhode Island. According to a report in The Providence Journal, the no-frills grocery chain has begun construction or sought permits for store locations in Providence, East Providence,...

Publix thumbs up.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Publix Supermarkets Inc. is the highest-ranking supermarket for customer satisfaction according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. It is the 14th consecutive year the grocer received top honors. Shoppers judged the stores based on...

Kroger labor pact.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Kroger Co. has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local in Memphis, which covers 7,500 employees who work in 72 stores in Memphis and parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and...

Family dollar tabs VP.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Family Dollar Stores Inc. has named Bryan Venberg senior vice president of human resources. Prior to joining Family Dollar Venberg was senior vice president of operations, customer service and human resources at ShopNBC. He has held a similar...

Duckwall CEO quits.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Bruce Dale has resigned as president and chief executive officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. Dale joined the company in 2005 as part of a three-year reinvigoration and strategy-redirection effort. Senior vice president and chief financial...

Tough times at target.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 10, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS--After sales growth decelerated throughout last autumn, fiscal 2007 ended on a disappointing note at Target Corp., while rival Wal-Mart Stores Inc. celebrated a strong finish to its fiscal year (see story on page 5). The big...

Expansion continues at Harris Teeter.
March 10, 2008... CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Harris Teeter Inc. plans to build 15 new stores this year, continuing the company's aggressive growth plan that resulted in 19 new stores in fiscal 2007 and 16 new units the year before that. "We believe this focus will...

Stop & Shop bolsters top exec ranks.(NEWS)
March 10, 2008... QUINCY, Mass.--Stop & Shop Supermarket Co,/Giant Food Inc. has appointed three executive vice presidents. Jim Dwyer has been named executive vice president of strategy and business development, leading the company's marketing, corporate...

New COO at Price Chopper.(NEWS)
March 10, 2008... ROTTERDAM, N.Y.--Golub Corp., which owns the Price Chopper Supermarkets chain, has named Jerel "Jerry" Golub executive vice president and chief operating officer. In his new position Golub will be responsible for all sales and...

Weis tabs Hepfinger president.(NEWS)
March 10, 2008... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Regional food retailer Weis Markets Inc. has named David Hepfinger president and chief operating officer. In his new position Hepfinger will oversee the company's day-to-day store operations, perishables and center-store...

Sears exec team in transition.(NEWS)
March 10, 2008... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--The personnel changes continue at Sears Holdings Corp., even as the retailer pursues a reorganization plan and looks for a new direction. Two of the executives who are leaving the company oversaw the retailers most...

Safeway institutes cost-cutting plan.(NEWS)
March 10, 2008... PLEASANTON, Calif.--Safeway Inc. is pursuing a cost-reduction program that company executives believe will position the chain for success even in a weakening economy. In a conference call with analysts, Safeway chairman, president and...

Picture perfect.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Eastman Kodak Co. and Wal-Mart have announced a national program to recycle waste materials produced by in-store photo kiosks. The program is underway at about 4,100 Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Club units in the United States, and it is expected...

Sustainability tool.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Wal-Mart and the Cleantech Group have launched a web-based tool meant to help the giant retailer identify and deploy technologies that will help it meet its sustainability goals. In particular Wal-Mart is seeking innovative ideas related to:...

China goods steady.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Wal-Mart says it expects its procurement in China to remain steady at about $9 billion worth of goods this year. China's currency has appreciated against the dollar and inflation is raising costs in the country, but Wal-Mart chairman Michael...

Charitable giving.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Wal-Mart has announced that the company and its foundation gave $296 million to charity in 2007, a $23 million (8%) increase over 2006. Although that growth pace is slower than Wal-Mart reported in 2006, the retailer expects to retain its...

Format war at end.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Wal-Mart's decision to stop carrying movies in the HD-DVD format helped end the battle over high-definition movie formats by prompting Toshiba Corp. to concede defeat and leave the market to the Blu-ray format backed by Sony Corp.

Sponsoring exhibit.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Wal-Mart has signed on as the title sponsor of broadcaster Tavis Smiley's traveling museum exhibit, which will highlight the influence that African-Americans have had on the every-day life, history and culture of the U.S.

Wal-Mart has 'right strategy'.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BENTONVILLE. Ark.--A rebound in its domestic business combined with double-digit profit and sales growth from its International division to give Wal-Mart Stores Inc. a solid earnings lift for both the final quarter...

Winn-Dixie results exceed expectations.
March 10, 2008... JACKSONVILLE. Fla.--Despite tepid sales growth. Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. stayed on course with its post-Chapter 11 turnaround during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The strong showing prompted management to raise its guidance for the full...

Scoreboard.(MONEY NEWS)(Statistical table)
March 10, 2008... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS ended Sales Change 99 cents Only 12/31 325 mil +7.6 OfficeMax (1) 12/29 2.2 bil -2.6 Stater 12/30 943...

Citigroup cuts target rating.(MONEY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Citigroup has downgraded the stock of Target Corp. from "hold" to "self" and lowered its share price target to $48 from $55. The brokerage contended that the discount retailer has lost focus in women's apparel, where its offerings carry high...

Acquisition costs drag down whole foods.(MONEY NEWS)
March 10, 2008... Expenses related to its acquisition of Wild Oats Markets Inc. drove first quarter earnings down 27% to $39,1 million at Whole Foods Market Inc. Sales. on the other hand soared 32% to $2.46 billion, while comparable-store sales expanded 7%. In...

Biggest gainers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... BIGGEST GAINERS Stock Close Change % 02/22/2008 vs. 02/08/08 Change 99 cents Only 9.64 +1.41 +17.1 Ahold 13.05 +0.90...

Biggest losers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... BIGGEST LOSERS Stock Close Change % 02/22/2008 vs. 02/08/08 Change Dillard's 16.10 -2.32 -12.6 Saks 16.14 -1.20...

Most active.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... MOST ACTIVE Stock Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk Ended of Total 1 Wk Ended 02/22/2008 Shares 02/08/08 Winn-Dixie 3,154 ...

Economic woes temper optimism.
March 10, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark.--While Wal-Mart's management dearly is pleased with the outcome of fiscal 2008, particularly in the face of a deteriorating macroceonomie environment, executives are only cautiously upbeat about the current year. "We know...

Generics discounting shows staying power.(OPINION)
March 10, 2008... Like it or not, it appears that generic drug discount programs are here to stay. When Wal-Mart brought the practice to prominence in September 2006 with the launch of a plan offering some 300 generics for $4 a script, many in the retail...

Don't write off fresh & easy.(OPINION)(Tesco Stores Ltd.)
March 10, 2008... The competitive evaluation of Tesco's Fresh & Easy convenience stores that have quickly become part of the retail landscape in several of America's largest Western cities has been decidedly mixed. Reaction has skewed heavily to the effect that...

Execs foresee 'economic storm'.(OPINION)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK--Recession worries are reverberating in the executive suites of consumer products companies, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In fact, optimism in the United States economy reached a low of 22%, a drop of 50...

Aldi enters Poland.(GLOBAL NEWS)
March 10, 2008... ALDI ENTERS POLAND: Aldi Group opened its first seven stores in Poland last month, targeting the cities of Poznan, Jelenia Gora, Sulechow, Glogow, Zory, Brzeg and Tarnowskie Gory. The hard-discount grocery retailer faces stiff competition there...

Aeon's structure.(GLOBAL NEWS)
March 10, 2008... AEON'S STRUCTURE: Japan's second-largest retailer in terms of sales, Aeon Co., will change to a holding company structure in August to better manage its expanding operations. Shareholder approval will be sought at the company's annual meeting...

U.K. price regulator.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... U.K. PRICE REGULATOR: Britain's Competition Commission has recommended the appointment of a regulator to judge pricing disputes between retailers and their suppliers, according to a report in the The Times of London. The regulator may be given...

Chilean investment.(GLOBAL NEWS)
March 10, 2008... CHILEAN INVESTMENT: Chilean retailer Cencosud SA plans to invest $500 million this year and $3 billion over the next five years in an effort to double its sales. For the current year, the company has projected sales of about $10.3 billion. The...

New Sainsbury IT.(GLOBAL NEWS)
March 10, 2008... NEW SAINSBURY IT: J. Sainsbury PLC is installing a new system to help it monitor the sales of specific products, evaluate the effectiveness of promotions and identify customer buying patterns within specific demographic segments. The system is...

Carrefour is bullish about Asia.(GLOBAL)
March 10, 2008... PARIS--Carrefour SA is ramping up its presence in Asia with ambitious building programs in Malaysia and China as well as the formation of a management team to head its future operations in India. The world's second-largest retailer has...

Woolies gears up.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Woolworths Ltd. is reducing grocery prices, accelerating store refurbishments and revamping its discount gas offer to maintain its lead over its biggest competitor as retail conditions tighten in Australia. ...

Asda sets sights on Expansion.(GLOBAL)
March 10, 2008... LONDON--Asda PLC has announced plans to open up to 22 stores and expand an additional 12 outlets in the United Kingdom this year. The 400 million [pounds sterling] ($779 million) program will create more than 7,000 jobs. Asda, a unit of...

Top U.K. supers step up fight against alcohol abuse.(GLOBAL)
March 10, 2008... LONDON--Britain's two largest retailers, Tesco PLC and Asda Group PLC, have revealed differing approaches to limiting underage and antisocial drinking.The moves come in the wake of criticism that United Kingdom supermarkets make low-price...

Shift in fiscal year aids Sears Canada.(GLOBAL)
March 10, 2008... OTTAWA--Helped by a calendar shift that added five weeks to its fourth fiscal quarter, Sears Canada reported a 28% increase in net profit. Even on an adjusted basis, though, the bottom line grew 8.5%. Sears had changed its fiscal year-end,...

Wal-Mart makes plans for India.(GLOBAL)
March 10, 2008... NEW DELHI--Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and its joint-venture partner, Bharti Enterprises Ltd., intend to open 10 to 15 large cash-and-carry wholesale outlets in India over the next seven years. The stores will measure between 50,000 and 100,000 square...

Chilean grocer posts big profit gain.(GLOBAL)(D and S Ltd.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... SANTIAGO, Chile--Chile's leading supermarket retailer, Distribution y Servido SA (D&S), reported a 23.7% increase in net earnings to 52.68 billion pesos ($106 million) on a 4.6% rise in sales to 1.91 trillion pesos ($3.84 billion) for 2007. ...

Finalists are named for top retailer.
March 10, 2008... LONDON--Six retailers have been named finalists for the title of Retailer of the Year by the World Retail Congress. The companies are the American specialty retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Britain's largest retailer Tesco PLC, Swedish home...

Coles parent turns in strong results.(GLOBAL MMR)
March 10, 2008... PERTH, Australia--Wesfarmers Ltd., which acquired the faltering Coles Group last November, posted a 53.3% leap in earnings to $601 million ($564.8 million US.) for the first half of fiscal 2008. Total revenue soared 108% to $9.81 billion,...

NASCAR's Busch to promote Snickers Sweepstakes.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.--Mars Snackfood US, the United States snack food operation of Mare Inc. North America, has teamed up with NASCAR driver Kyle Busch in its launch of the Snickers Brand Ultimate Garage Sale Sweepstakes. To enter, fans can...

Staedtler products.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Staedtler Inc. introduces automatic pencil)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... STAEDTLER PRODUCTS: Staedtler Inc. has introduced the Pug, an automatic pencil with a fully retractable tip, and separately the Mini Sharpener, a conveniently sized pencil sharpener for carrying in backpacks and briefcases. The Pug uses 0.5-mm...

Prime Way Corp. shelf.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Prime Way Corp. introduced sunbeam kitchen and helper shelf )(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... PRIME WAY CORP. SHELF: Prime Way Corp. has introduced the Sunbeam Kitchen & Helper Shelf in a set of two. The licensed product features durable construction designed for storing glassware, dinnerware, canned goods and foodstuffs. The shelf is...

IMAK SmartGlove PM.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... IMAK SMARTGLOVE PM: IMAK Corp. has announced plans to introduce in coming months the SmartGlove PM, a carpal tunnel night brace. It wilt sell for $19.99. The SmartGlove PM will help relieve pain, tingling and numbness from carpal tunnel...

Mascaras from Milani.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MASCARAS FROM MILANI: Milani has introduced four mascara formulations--Power Lash thickening mascara, Great Lengths lengthening mascara, Distinct Lash separating and lengthening mascara, and Build-A-Lash fortifying...

CPG prices on rise.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 10, 2008... CHICAGO--Skyrocketing energy prices and the cost of ingredients pushed consumer packaged goods (CPG) prices up by 4.2% last year, which was marked by double-digit increases in a variety of categories, including such mainstays as dairy goods,...

P&G aims to reduce overhead.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... CINCINNATI--Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) plans to cut its management staff by about 15% as part of a bid to improve productivity in the face of rising commodity costs and increased competition. Most of the job cuts will come through attrition...

Salon Selectives makes comeback.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... CHICAGO--An iconic brand of the 1980s and 1990s, Salon Selectives, began reappearing on store shelves earlier this month. The brand, which originally was developed by Helene Curtis Inc., had been sold by Unilever in December 2006 to SBB...

Supply chain revamp set by Hershey.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... HERSHEY, Pa.--Hershey Co. will overhaul its supply chain and focus on emerging economies in a bid to help offset rising costs, according to a Reuters report. The company has recently announced a 13%increase in the wholesale prices of about...

Diverse segments on the rise.(ORAL CARE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Key areas of the expansive oral care category provide mass market retailers with opportunities to meet the needs of consumers with products that offer health benefits, are effective and are easy to use. Within those broad...

Mouthwash takes upscale turn.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Sales of premium mouthwash have surged in the past year, suggesting that consumers are willing to spend more for products that they believe will deliver the most effective dental health benefits. As an added benefit to...

Dental accessories gain wider appeal.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Although brushing is the foundation of good home oral care, a wide variety of dental accessories exists that people can also use to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Although the choice of dental accessories and tools is vast,...

Household cleaning made easier.(HOME CARE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- The market for household cleaning products in the United States grew to $7.3 billion in 2007, according to a new report from the market research firm Packaged Facts Inc. The report, "Household Cleaning Products in the U.S,"...

The scent makes all the difference.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Suppliers recognize that most consumers want a home that smells clean, as well as one that looks clean. Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is addressing that fact by adding the scent of its Febreze brand to its Swiffer and Mr. Clean...

An effective way to prevent colds.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Keeping a clean home is an important way to stave off colds and the flu, according to a recent survey of mothers. The survey was conducted by the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), which conducted a similar survey in 2005....

Search for fountain of youth continues.(SKIN CARE)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Skin care continues to be one of the hottest-performing categories in the mass market beauty arena. According to Karen Primavera, consultant with the TABS Group Inc., one factor sustaining growth has...

Bath/body poised for turnaround.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- The skin care category has long been closely related to bath and body. Unlike skin care, though bath has struggled in recent years. As the recent ECRM cosmetic/ fragrance/bath show demonstrated, though, suppliers are doing...

New technology changes game.(SUPPLY SIDE)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- No other trend has done as much for the skin care business as the aging of America. The image of wrinkled, sagging skin is driving baby boomers to spend billions of dollars a year on products that promise to erase wrinkles, tighten...

Meetings: shows.(Calendar)
March 10, 2008... MARCH 2008 10-13--CDMA: 82nd Education & Trade Expo, Orlando, Fla. 16-18--INTERNATIONAL HOUSEWARES ASSOCIATION: International Home & Housewares Show, McCormick Place, Chicago. 30-April 2--FMI: 2008 Supply Chain Conference (formerly...

Grocers eye food/health link.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK--Health and wellness concerns are moving into the mainstream, and in 10 years food choices will be considered fundamentally linked to people's health. That in turn will create opportunities for those food retailers that can help...

MTM model to be updated.(TOPICS)(medication therapy management)(The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation)(American Pharmacists Association)(Brief article)
March 10, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) plan to launch an updated model for the practice of medication therapy management (MTM) in a pharmacy setting. The...

NMI, Nielsen to evaluate consumers.(TOPICS)
March 10, 2008... SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Nielsen Co. is joining forces with the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) to track the attitudes and behavior of those consumers most concerned about their health and the environment. NMI defines those consumers as living...

Supervalu develops, rolls out Rx System.(TOPICS)
March 10, 2008... FRANKLIN PARK, Ill. -- Supervalu Inc. has deployed a new pharmacy management system that has been designed, developed and tested by the retailer's pharmacists and technicians, the company says. The next-generation ARx system is designed to...

Greg Wasson, Walgreens' new president and COO.(HEARD AROUND)
March 10, 2008... Greg Wasson, Walgreens' new president and COO, is already making a significant contribution to the drug chain.

By mid-March Fresh & Easy will have 59 convenience stores open in California, Arizona and Nevada.(HEARD AROUND)
March 10, 2008... By mid-March Fresh & Easy will have 59 convenience stores open in California, Arizona and Nevada, just four months after its outlets made their debut.

Workers ratify pact.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 24, 2008... WORKERS RATIFY PACT: The more than 7,500 Kroger Co. associates belonging to UFCW Local 1529 in Memphis have agreed to a new contract that will bring them wage increases and affordable health care benefits. "This is a good example of how fair...

Target opens D.C. unit.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 24, 2008... TARGET OPENS D.C. UNIT: Target Corp. debuted its first store in the nation's capital last month, opening a unit that serves as the anchor of DC USA, a $145 million mall that is the largest retail project in Washington, D.C., history.

Supervalu earnings.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 24, 2008... SUPERVALU EARNINGS: Supervalu Inc. has said its preliminary guidance for fiscal 2009 shows its earnings per share will be between $3.06 and $3.22. "We are confident in the overall strength of our business and the future earnings potential of...

CVS acquires stores.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 24, 2008... CVS ACQUIRES STORES: CVS Caremark Corp. has purchased four Snyders Drug Stores Inc. units in Montana. The takeover of the stores--three in Billings and one in Laurel that operated as part of Snyders Western Drug Co.--gives CVS Caremark a dozen...

Duckwall-ALCO board.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 24, 2008... DUCKWALL-ALCO BOARD: Two members of the Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. board of directors have resigned, ending a threatened proxy fight. The resignations off Warren Gfeller and Robert Ring effectively ends the proxy contest battle promised by...

Kmart still trying to get it right.(SPOTLIGHT)
March 24, 2008... HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Kmart has launched two major initiatives to spark sales in its health care and apparel businesses. The moves followed closely on the heels of dismal 2007 results for the discounter and for its sister chain, Sears. ...

Discounters rack up sales in tough times.(NEWS)
March 24, 2008... NEW YORK -- Discounters exceeded expectations last month, as budget-conscious consumers sought out bargains on a range of merchandise. Same-store sales at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. climbed 2.6% in February, beating the company's own projection...

A&P moves to sharpen distribution.
March 24, 2008... MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P has signed a 10-year pact with C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. under which the two are combining their previously separate A&P and Pathmark Stores Inc. supply agreements into what they call an industry-leading partnership. The...

CVS Caremark's Bodine to retire.
March 24, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Chris Bodine, president of health care services and executive vice president of CVS Caremark Corp., will retire from the company in June. His responsibilities will be divided among chairman, president and chief executive...

ALDI keeps prices rock-bottom low.(NEWS)
March 24, 2008... PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Discount grocer ALDI is launching stores in Rhode Island with the stated intention of bringing shoppers a smart alternative to food price inflation, with prices "up to 50% less than other stores." ALDI opened its first...

Walgreens sees future in capital.(NEWS)
March 24, 2008... WASHINGTON -- As it continues to bolster its presence in the Mid-Atlantic region, Walgreen Co. opened its first store in the nation's capital last month. The new unit, a 24-hour store with about 9,500 square-feet of selling space and many...

Shopko stores springing up.(NEWS)
March 24, 2008... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Shopko Stores Operating Co. is bringing a fifth Shopko store to Iowa as well as a fifth outlet to the suburban Omaha market. The store in Council Bluffs, Iowa, will feature Shopko's new prototype design and is the first...

New stores, clubs.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 24, 2008... NEW STORES, CLUBS: Wal-Mart plans to open 81 stores and clubs in 30 states in March, with 73 grand openings having already occurred in the first week of the month. Included among the new stores are two additional environment-friendly High...

Home brand focus.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 24, 2008... HOME BRAND FOCUS: Wal-Mart has launched Canopy, a new home furnishings brand that includes bedding, furniture, bath accessories and dinnerware. The line is available in selected stores and on the retailer's web site. It will launch a second...

Hannah Montana CD.(WAL-MART NEWS)
March 24, 2008... HANNAH MONTANA CD: Following a concert tour and 3-D movie premiere, Wal-Mart is offering Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Concert on CD/DVD for an exclusive period that began March 11--one month before it arrives in other stores....