Mass Market Retailers articles from November 2003

Mass Market Retailers archives from November 2003

Ban on supercenters.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Oakland, Calif., has banned big-box grocery stores in the city in an attempt to exclude Wal-Mart Supercenters. A city council ordinance adopted last month prohibits stores larger than 100,000 square feet from being built in Oakland. Contra...

Indianapolis approval.(Industry News)(Wal-mart to expand)
November 3, 2003... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has won preliminary approval for two Neighborhood Market units in Indianapolis. The discounter plans to open four of the units in the Indiana capital by spring. It plans to debut a total of 25 to 30 Neighborhood markets...

Consumers file suit.(Industry News)(against grocery chain for not delivering on marketing promotion)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Ralphs Grocery Co. and parent Kroger Co. have been sued by Los Angeles customers over a hotel stay promotion. Suits were filed following complaints to the California attorney general and a newspaper account of the retailer not delivering on a...

S&P lowers rating.(Industry News)(on Duane Reade)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) lowered its corporate credit rating to B+ from BB- after Duane Reade Inc. revised its profit expectations downward. The ratings reflect the company's debt and narrow geographic focus, says an S&P...

Supervalu moves out of Denver.
November 3, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. has sold four of its Cub Food stores in the Denver market as well as a distribution center and office building to Kroger Co. as part of the company's liquidation of its Denver assets. Supervalu is continuing...

Wal-Mart to investigate allegations on workers.
November 3, 2003... WASHINGTON -- A federal investigation of illegal immigrants hired by an outside contractor supplying labor to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. resulted in the arrest of approximately 250 workers at 60 Wal-Mart stores in 21 states in late October. The...

Calif. strike bodes ill.(Spotlight)(distance between the two sides in supermarket strike in southern California betokens a grim picture for employer/labor relations nationwide)
November 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- As the supermarket strike in southern California dragged on for a fourth week the distance between the two sides betokened a grim picture for employer/labor relations nationwide. The fault line between the supermarketers' efforts...

Winn-Dixie taps merchandising VP.(Joel Barton has been made vice president of merchandising and Cheryl Forehand becomes division manager)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has promoted two executives. Joel Barton, formerly the company's division manager in Charlotte, N.C., has been made vice president of merchandising. He is being replaced by Cheryl Forehand,...

Ex-Kmart executives face suit.(company seeks to recover retention loans )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... TROY, Mich. -- The Kmart Creditor Trust is suing six former company executives who have not paid back "retention loans" that the retailer provided in an effort to keep them on while dealing with its financial problems. Twenty-five former...

A&P sale of coffee unit a necessity.(News)(A&P is selling its Eight O'Clock coffee division to Gryphon Investors)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MONTVALE, N.J. -- Reflecting continuing efforts to improve its bottom line, A&P is selling its Eight O'Clock coffee division to Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm. The retailer says the sale will provide it with...

Benjamin gets key ahold post.(News)(Lawrence Benjamin named CEO of U.S. Foodservice)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... AMSTERDAM -- To get a better grip on its accounting scandal-plagued U.S. Foodservice subsidiary, Ahold NV has named Lawrence Benjamin as the unit's new chief executive officer. Prior to joining Ahold Benjamin was chief executive officer of...

Coutu makes intentions clear.(News)(seeking to extend its holdings on both sides of the border)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Jean Coutu Group Inc. has said it would be interested in acquiring all or part of Eckerd Corp. if that company is put on the blocks. Chief executive officer Francois Coutu said last month that Coutu, which operates 311...

Scoreboard.(Money News)(financial results for some of the largest drug and food retailers and manufacturers)
November 3, 2003... SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar % Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) drugstore.com (1) 09/28 59.8 mil +26.2 ...

Biggest gainers.(Money News)(best performing retail stocks in third quarter 2003)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 10/17/03 vs 10/03/03 Change BJ's 25.29 +4.85 +23.7 J.C. Penney 24.96 +3.34 +15.4 Small & Final 7.02...

Biggest losers.(Money News)(third quarter market performance of selected retailers )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 10/17/03 vs.10/03/03 Change A&P 6.5 -2.03 -23.8 Duane Reade 13.7 -3.41 -19.9 Winn-Dixie 7.95 -1.96 ...

Most active.(Money News)(third quarter 2003 most active retail stocks )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) Asa % Change vs. 1Wk.Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 10/17/03 Shares 10/03/03 A&P 1,543 4 +158.9 Winn-Dixie 11,177...

Charges impact Sears profits.(Money)
November 3, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Battered by special charges and asset impairments related to previously announced store closings, net earnings took a doubledigit dive during the third quarter at Sears, Roebuck and Co. Excluding that item, the retailer...

Myriad factors hold down Duane Reade.(Money)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Escalating costs and slowing sales growth combined to drive third quarter net income down by 75.5% at Duane Reade Inc. The drug chain maintained its profit projection for the year, however. The bottom line for the 13 weeks ended...

Safeway takes hit.(Spotlight)
November 3, 2003... PLEASANTON, Calif -- The picture continued to worsen for Safeway Inc. during the 12 weeks ended September 6, as income from continuing operations fell for the third consecutive quarter. A labor strike in one of the company's core markets,...

Move into Texas is costly for 99 Cents Only Stores.(Money)
November 3, 2003... CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. -- Costs linked to its push into Texas and lower gross margins triggered a decline in third quarter net at 99 Cents Only Stores. Net income for the three months ended September 30 dipped 8.7% to $12.1 million,...

Coutu maintains earnings growth streak.(Money)
November 3, 2003... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Despite a drop in total revenues, Jean Coutu Group Inc. managed to register a double-digit rise in net income for the 13 weeks ended August 31. The period marked the 29th consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings...

Bad news at A&P as losses continue.(Money)
November 3, 2003... MONTVALE, N.J.--Although A&P managed to reduce its bottom-line deficit in the second quarter, its loss from continuing operations before income tax provisions skyrocketed, far exceeding analysts' expectations. Management took encouragement,...

Sales up, profits down at Weis.(Money)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Its prior-year results fortified by a real estate gain, Weis Markets Inc. saw earnings slide in 2003's third quarter. The regional retailer recorded a 26.8% decline in net income to $10.9 million in the 13 weeks ended...

This time the reality must exceed the hype.(Opinion)
November 3, 2003... The latest incarnation of Kmart Corp. is touted in a marketing campaign launched last month. The ads, spearheaded by television commercials that debuted during the World Series and continue to air during popular prime-time programs,...

It's become a "Value-Driven World".(Opinion)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Retailers that offer consumers clear values have led to an irreversible shift in shopping behavior, a recent report from McKinsey & Co. indicates. Whereas value retailers--defined in the report as discounters, supercenters and...

Scott, Coughlin work in tandem.(Opinion)(Tom Coughlin and Lee Scott of Wal-Mart address business students at the University of Arkansas' Retailing Excellence conference)
November 3, 2003... Tom Coughlin spoke at the University of Arkansas' Retailing Excellence conference on Thursday morning. That afternoon Lee Scott addressed the same group of business school students at the same conference, an annual event run by the University's...

Tesco tests RFID.(Global News)(Radio frequency identification technology)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... TESCO TESTS RFID: In a joint project with International Business Machines Corp., Tesco PLC is testing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology on high-end non-food products at two its stores in the United Kingdom. The goods are shipped...

Daiei profit down.(Global News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... DAIEI PROFIT DOWN: Daiei Inc. blamed cool summer weather and ongoing deflation for slumping sales and a 98% plunge in net profit to 2.3 billion yen ($21.1 million) for the six months ended August 31. Prior-year profit included income of 170...

Asda adds brands.(Global News)(add video and audio product brands)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... ASDA ADDS BRANDS: Asda PLC, Britain's No. 2 supermarket operator and a unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., will add name-brand home electronics at 10 of its supercenters. At present the chain only offers a low-price range of televisions and DVD...

Stores for auction.(Global News)(Safeway PLC to divest 53 stores in order to complete acquisition by Morrisons PLC)
November 3, 2003... STORES FOR AUCTION: British supermarket operator Safeway PLC has put up for auction 53 stores that will have to be divested if the chain is acquired by William Morrisons PLC. The move was made after discussions with Britain's Office of Fair...

Metro opens Cash & Carry unit in India.(Global)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... FRANKFURT -- Metro AG has opened a Metro Cash & Carry Distribution Center in Bangalore, India, extending the retailer's presence to a 28th country. "After three years of careful preparation we are confident that our Cash & Carry concept...

TNS eyes position of U.K. supers.(Global)(market share of major UK-based grocery chains)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LONDON -- Morrison Supermarkets PLC has increased its share of the supermarket business in the United Kingdom, according to TNS, a market research firm. TNS' data shows Morrison's market share rose to 6.3% in the 12 weeks ended October 12, up...

Seiyu narrows loss.(Spotlight)
November 3, 2003... TOKYO Squeezed by slumping sales due to poor summer weather and fierce competition, Seiyu Co. had a net loss of 8.43 billion yen ($77.4 million) in its fiscal first half ended August 31. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. holds a 37.8% ownership stake in the...

It's going to be three vs. Walmex.(Global)(three large Mexican retailers form Sinergia de Autoservicios to provide supply and distribution services)
November 3, 2003... MONTERREY, Mexico -- Three Mexican retailers are allying against Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex) with a joint supply and purchasing company. Grupo Gigante, Soriana and Controladora Commercial Mexicana have issued a joint statement saying the...

Sears Canada posts profit gain.(Global)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... TORONTO -- Sears Canada Inc.'s operating profit rose 18.6% for the third quarter ended September 27. Revenues, however, fell 3.2% as the retailer worked to recover losses experienced because of a power outage in August. Chairman and chief...

Nivea for men lotion.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NIVEA FOR MEN LOTION: Beiersdort Inc. has introduced Nivea for Men revitalizing lotion Q10. Formulated with coenzyme Q10, vitamins and SPF 15, the lotion is lightweight and can be applied to the face both morning and night. It sells for a...

Colgate simply white.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... COLGATE SIMPLY WHITE: Colgate-Palmolive Co. has announced plans to introduce in December Colgate Simply White whitening toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide and a whitening accelerator separated by dual-tube technology. Formulated to remove...

Black Opal cosmetics.(Merchandising News)(introducting new Black Opal cosmetic line)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BLACK OPAL COSMETICS: BioCosmetic Research Labs has announced plans to introduce in February 2004 the Poetic Dreams cosmetics collection as part of its Black Opal line that was developed to address the needs of women of color. The collection...

King of Shaves XCD.(Merchandising News)(expands US line )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... KING OF SHAVES XCD: Knowledge & Merchandising Inc., based in the United Kingdom, has expanded its King of Shaves line in the United States to include XCD, a skin care regime for men with such products as Defender facial moisturizer, Perfecter...

'Right here' at Kmart.(Spotlight)(Kmart Corp.'s first new ad campaign since its emergence from Chapter 11 prominently features Martha Stewart despite her legal troubles)
November 3, 2003... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart Corp.'s first new ad campaign since its emergence from Chapter 11 prominently features Martha Stewart despite her legal troubles. The Martha Stewart Everyday line of home furnishings continues to sell well at Kmart,...

Signs point to higher xmas sales.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- An improved consumer mood should result in increased spending during the holiday season. In separate surveys, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Deloitte (a national tax and consulting firm) concur that shoppers will...

Brooks inks deal with Boston Celtics.(Merchandising)(drug chain has signed a multiyear sponsorship deal with the Celtics)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... WARWICK, R.I. -- Brooks Pharmacy is making basketball a more affordable spectator sport for Boston Celtics fans. The drug chain has signed a multiyear sponsorship deal with the Celtics. As part of the arrangement Brooks will sponsor a large...

Wal-Mart enhances credit card.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is promising cost savings and additional convenience features for customers who use its enhanced private label credit card. For example, customers can choose their own payment date and make those...

Segmentation of the school supplies market, 2002.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Organizers 5% Miscellaneous 5% Writing instruments 9% Storage products 12% School supplies 17% Paper, notebooks & pads 32% Art supplies 20% Source: School,...

Longs opens doors at latest prototype.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SUNNYVALE, Calif -- Longs Drug Stores Inc. has unveiled a remodeled store here with 17,800 square feet of selling space, including a grocery mix that stretches the bounds of chain drug consumables merchandising. Highlighting the extensive...

Country star Toby Keith has a Mr. Coffee 'moment'.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Mr. Coffee has announced that it is rolling out a multimedia campaign to promote its extensive product line. The effort will feature country music star Toby Keith, who received the Academy of Country Music Association's...

Time is right, signs are good for vitamins.
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- The vitamins and nutritional supplements category has been through some tough years recently, depressed by such factors as the weak economy, but better times may be in the offing. "The overall category is coming back," notes...

Boomers to be market makers.
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Health-related products should get a major boost as the number of aging Americans continues to expand. Currently people who are more than 65 years old represent about 13% of the United States population. Over the next quarter...

HVL Inc.(has introduced Qmelt)
November 3, 2003... HVL Inc. (Health, Vitality, Life), has introduced Qmelt, a revolutionary product designed to make it easier than ever for consumers to take the powerful antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10). HVL is leading global manufacturer of nutritional...

Mason Vitamins Inc.
November 3, 2003... Founded 36 years ago by Carlos Rodriguez, Mason Vitamins has become a major force in the manufacture and distribution of nutritional supplements. The company offers a vast array of items--approximately 415 products plus about 39...

Vitanergy Inc.
November 3, 2003... Vitanergy Inc. official say the company has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its customers since it was founded in 1986. The company prides itself on marketing unique formulations that have a scientific basis for...

Windmill.
November 3, 2003... Windmill Health Products, a division of Vitaquest International, continues to focus on the manufacture and marketing of value-added, cutting-edge nutritional supplements. Recent examples of the company's approach include products aimed at...

A panoply of marketing strategies.(Hair Care)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Sales growth may be stalled in some segments of the massive, multibillion-dollar hair care business, but as is often the case with mature categories, there are still plenty of opportunities to be found for those retailers and...

At-home coloring wins more converts.(Merchandising)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Home hair coloring is a $1.54 billion business in food, drug and discount stores that has grown by more than 40% over the past live years, according to "U.S. Home Hair Color," a report by Mintel International Group Ltd. Despite...

Teen hair care no longer just for girls.(Merchandising)
November 3, 2003... One of the fastest-growing areas is boys' use of styling aids, products NEW YORK -- Teenagers remain one of the most formidable and dynamic markets for hair care products, with such trends as salon-style products for highlighting and...

Fragrance is the big thing in shampoos.(Hair Care)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- If the sweet smell of success can be detected in the hair care aisles of some mass market retailers, much of the credit must go to the success of sweet smells. In hair care products of every sort, fragrance is a chief attribute...

Retailers in sync with trends in category.(Merchandising)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK--Product launches and the success of such segments as salon-quality hair coloring, men's styling and ethnic items have generated sales and excitement for retailers in the hair care category, but they continue to be disappointed by the...

Chains look for an edge.(Merchandising)(tips for merchandising hair care products in retail outlets)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK--In the crowded and competitive hair care market retailers need any edge they can get to boost category performance. Marketing specialists at Procter & Gamble Co. 0P&G), whose hair care brands generate $1.5 billion in annual sales...

Wanted: benefits of salon products.(Merchandising)(good category management for hair spray products builds market share )
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- When it comes to styling products it is clear that consumers want the benefits they perceive salon products are providing. The dilemma for mass market retailers is how best to provide those benefits. The approach favored by...

Ethnic Americans a market in motion.(Merchandising)(African-Americans account for more than 30% of industry spending in the $4 billion hair market,)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- The numbers tell the story in the ethnic market--and in ethnic hair care. By 2010, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), all three major ethnic groups will have increased as a percent of the total population....

Research yields new insights.(Merchandising)(Second International Symposium on Ethnic Hair and Skin )
November 3, 2003... CHICAGO -- More than 200 scientists, clinicians and dermatologists from 11 countries gathered here in September at the L'Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research for the Second International Symposium on Ethnic Hair and Skin: New...

What's new always has allure for shoppers.(Hair Care)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- New products play a critical role in hair care, engaging consumers and injecting excitement into a mature category. While brand loyalty is a factor in stone segments of the category, especially at the value end of the product...

SHOPA bigger and better than ever.(School Home & Office Products Association )
November 3, 2003... The School Home & Office Products Association (SHOPA) will bring new enhancements to the 13th annual International SHOPA Show later this month, according to president Steve Jacober. The show, which will be held from November 11 to November...

Lucrative market engenders fierce competition.(office and school supplies)
November 3, 2003... At $300 billion-plus in annual sales, the school and home office products industry is a huge and growing business. While the economic doldrums of the past three years have slowed the sector's growth from the 8% pace it enjoyed in the late...

Mass retail perfect place to shop for B-T-S.(Back to School)
November 3, 2003... The school supplies business grew about 4.2% to $7.3 billion last year, according to the School Home & Office Products Association (SHOPA). The great bulk of the business is done during the back-to-school season: SHOPA estimates that...

Today's economy creates SOHO boom.(small-office and home-office business)
November 3, 2003... Consolidation and corporate downsizing have eliminated millions of jobs in the United States over the past few years, and many of the professionals who have lost their positions have opted to start their own businesses. That important trend has...

Computers aside, people still use pencils, pens.
November 3, 2003... Although high technology has transformed the ways by which people communicate, the demand for traditional writing instruments remains remarkably healthy. The category continues to be an important part of both the school supplies and office...

Esselte tabs sales VP.(People News)(Raul Jimenez named vice president of sales)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... ESSELTE TABS SALES VP: Esselte Corp. has named Raul Jimenez vice president of sales, Americas. He is responsible for directing the company's sales force and overseeing continued sales growth of such office product and supply brands as...

Pfizer appointment.(People News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... PFIZER APPOINTMENT Pfizer Consumer Healthcare has named Frank Malone vice president of U.S. sales. The 48-year-old Malone assumes this role following 27 years of experience in the consumer health care industry. In addition, Mike Ruble has...

CRN award winners.(People News)(Paul Bolar and Joe LaPlaca receive CRN (Steuben) Apples award from the Council for Responsible Nutrition)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CRN AWARD WINNERS The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has presented Paul Bolar of Pharmavite LLC and Joe LaPlaca of Roche Vitamins Inc. with its highest award, "CRN (Steuben) Apples," in honor of those who have demonstrated...

MPA names senior vp.(People News)(Harlan Schwarz)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MPA NAMES SENIOR VP: Harlan Schwarz has been named senior vice president/ advertising marketing of Magazine Publishers of America (MPA). His role includes developing strategies to promote magazines as an effective advertising medium.

Kellogg creates post.(People News)(Alan Harris)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... KELLOGG CREATES POST: Kellogg Co. has announced that Alan Harris, its executive vice president and also president of Kellogg International, has been named to the newly created post of chief marketing and customer officer. He will continue...

New LIMA directors.(People News)(Simon Philips and Cheryl Stoebenau appointed directors of International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW LIMA DIRECTORS The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) has announced new board of director members for the coming year. They are Bernie Leifer of SGFootwear, Simon Philips of Licensing Dynamics...

Katz tabs Giancamilli president.(People)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... EDMONTON, Alberta -- Former Kmart Corp. head Andy Giancamilli has been named president and chief operating officer of Katz Group North America, Canada's No. 1 drug chain. The 53-year old Giancamilli was most recently an executive vice...

Dollar Tree a 'natural' for Sasser.(Spotlight)
November 3, 2003... CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc.'s outlets are the modern heirs to the variety store concept pioneered by F.W. Woolworth Co. at the turn of the last century. But while Woolworth's variety Stores are gone, Dollar Tree is experiencing...

Glasser named CEO of Value City.(People)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Stuart Glasser has been named president and chief executive officer of the Value City Department Stores division of Retail Ventures Inc. Glasser, who has extensive retailing experience in the marketing and merchandising...

Lawler to head HR for Ahold.(People)(Arthur Brouwer to chief business support officer)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... AMSTERDAM -- Jim Lawler has been named chief human resources officer of Royal Ahold NV. Lawler succeeds Arthur Brouwer, who was recently appointed chief business support officer. Lawler will report to Ahold president and chief...

Furbush is new COO at FreshDirect.(People)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Dean Furbush has been designated chief operating officer" at FreshDirect. He will focus on increasing operational efficiency and achieving profitability for the fresh food manufacturing and delivery service company. "I'm...

Albertsons on-line.(Industry News)
November 17, 2003... ALBERTSONS ON-LINE: Albertsons.com has expanded into the Dallas/Forth Worth market, giving the area its first major Interact grocer in over two years. Albertsons Inc. has extensively fine tuned its on-line business model for the Metroplex....

Charges are dropped.(Industry News)(Enio Montini and Joseph Hofmeister, Kmart Corp. )
November 17, 2003... CHARGES ARE DROPPED: Federal prosecutors have dropped their case against two former Kmart Corp. executives charged with fraud. Prosecutors had charged that former Kmart vice presidents Enio Montini and Joseph Hofmeister, who ran the chain's...

Shopko names execs.(Industry News)(Paul White and Matt Lynch)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... SHOPKO NAMES EXECS: ShopKo Stores Inc. has appointed two senior vice presidents. Paul White has ben named division senior vice president and general merchandise manager for soft lines. White had been with May Department Stores' FamousBarr...

Nasc-Finch expands.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... NASH-FINCH EXPANDS: Nash-Finch Co. has opened its second Avanza supermarket in Chicago within two months. Avanza is targeted to the growing Hispanic market. The chain also has four units in Colorado.

New Ahold 'arena'.(Spotlight)(Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)
November 17, 2003... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Ahold NV will revamp its core supermarket operation as part of a three-year recovery plan announced by the company this month. An integration of Stop & Shop Supermarkets Co. and Giant Food LLC of Landover, Md.,...

Sales growth falters in Oct.
November 17, 2003... NEW YORK -- Shoppers apparently took a breather in October as sales cooled from the preceding month's pace. In October same-store sales rose 3.2%, according to an index of 72 major retail chains compiled by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd....