Mass Market Retailers articles from November 2004

Mass Market Retailers archives from November 2004

Wal-Mart EPC pilot.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... WAL-MART EPC PILOT: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will expand the initial implementation of its electronic product code (EPC) initiative to three Texas distribution centers. It also will increase the number of participating Supercenters from seven to...

Stater Bros. units.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... STATER BROS. UNITS: Stater Bros. Markets expects to have four new Full Service Supermarkets in operation in southern California by mid-2005. One was scheduled to open this month, and the others are slated to open during 2005's first six months....

Meijer credit card.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MEIJER CREDIT CARD: Meijer Inc. has announced the introduction of a credit card--the Meijer Platinum MasterCard. The card's many features include "Meijer Community Rewards" that can be earned on purchases of more than 200,000 products.

Winn-Dixie director.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... WINN-DIXIE DIRECTOR: H. Jay Skelton has been elected both as a Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. board member and chairman of the board. He is president and chief executive officer of DDI Inc. and succeeds A. Dano Davis, who retired last month after 35...

GMDC's founder dies.(Industry News)(Francis Willmes)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
November 15, 2004... GMDC'S FOUNDER DIES: Francis Willmes, the founder of the General Merchandise Distributors Council (GMDC), died in October. He was the organization's first president and won its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.

Winn-Dixie has sold off 26 Ky. units.(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has sold 26 of its Kentucky stores to two smaller grocery chains. Sixteen have been bought by Jasper, Ind.-based Buehler Foods Inc., and 10 have been acquired by Union City, Tenn.-based E. W....

New day at Minyard.(Spotlight)
November 15, 2004... DALLAS -- The sale of family-owned Minyard Food Stores Inc. focuses new attention on the role small chains and regional operators can play in a competitive and consolidated market. The 72-year-old chain, which currently operates 69...

Seven stores get facelift at ShopKo.(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. completed an extensive remodeling of seven stores earlier this month. The units are in four states--one each in California, Oregon, Minnesota and Michigan and three in Wisconsin. They are among 10 units...

Food 4 Less.(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co. has named Jay Cummins president of its Food 4 Less unit. The unit operates some 137 warehouse-format supermarkets in southern California, Nevada, Illinois and Indiana as well as Foods Co. in northern California....

Sears revisits profit projections.(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Despite a number of initiatives intended to reignite sales and profit growth, Sears, Roebuck and Co.'s financial picture continues to darken. Last month the company slashed its 2004 earnings guidance--from a range...

Kroger works through labor issues.(News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co. has reached two labor agreements with its employees over the past two months, but had yet to reach a third agreement as of early November. In late October Kroger reached a three-year pact that covers about 8,500...

Scoreboard.(Money; discount stores)(Illustration)
November 15, 2004... MONEY NEWS SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar % Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) ...

Biggest gainers.(Money; discount stores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 15, 2004... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 10/29/04 vs.10/01/04 Change Costco 47.94 +5.65 +13.4 Family Dollar 29.55 +2.95 +11.1...

Biggest losers.(Money; discount stores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 15, 2004... BIGGEST LOSERS Wild Oats 6.08 -2.65 -30.4 Smart & Final 14.78 -2.52 -14.6 Sears 35.00 -5.02 -12.5 Costplus 32.30 -3.66 -10.2...

Most active. (Money.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 15, 2004... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 10/29/04 Shares 10/01/04 Wild Oats 13,426 58.0 ...

At family dollar, net falls in qtr.(Money; Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- With sales of high-margin discretionary items weakening among its customer base, Family Dollar Stores Inc. saw net income fall in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004. The bottom line for the full year advanced 6.2% to $262.7...

Costco in high gear.(Spotlight; Costco Wholesale Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Benefiting from effective cost controls and impressive sales and membership growth, Costco Wholesale Corp. logged double-digit gains in net income for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2004 year. Net income for the year...

Winn-Dixie awash in red ink.(Money)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Declining sales and restructuring charges drove Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. to a larger loss than analysts had expected in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Reporting for the 12 weeks ended September 22, the chain swung to...

His mandate: 'to build a great mass retailer'.(Opinion)(Aylwin Lewis of Kmart)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... In interviews following his appointment as president and chief executive officer of Kmart Holding Corp. last month, Aylwin Lewis displayed the marketing savvy that has been the hallmark of his business career. Previously president and...

'There's nothing for me here'.(Opinion)(closure of Kmart store)(Editorial)
November 15, 2004... The Kmart off A1A in Jacksonville Beach closed its doors for the last time last month, another victim of the company's recent sale of 18 Kmarts to Home Depot. Actually, the closing was just a formality. The store--in business for over 25...

Consumers wary as holidays near.(Opinion)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Holiday cheer may be somewhat lacking this year for mass retailers. High energy prices, waning consumer confidence and a temperate December could add up to disappointing Christmas sales. Merrill Lynch & Co. projects that...

Boots in Hong Kong.(Global News; Boots Group PLC )(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... BOOTS IN HONG KONG: Boots Retail International, a Boots Group PLC unit, has expanded its presence in Hong Kong by opening its first store there. The company's products have been available there since 2002 in a local retail chain--Watsons....

Sears guidance cut.(Global News; Sears Canada Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... SEARS GUIDANCE CUT: Sears Canada has reduced its 2004 earnings guidance to a range of $1.15 to $1.35 (about 94 cents to $1.11 U.S.) per share. Its earlier guidance indicated that this year's earnings would be 15% over 2003's $1.32 (about $1.08...

New format at Asda.(Global News; Asda Group PLC)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... NEW FORMAT AT ASDA: Asda PLC has opened its first foodless outlet near Birmingham, England. The "Asda Living" format is the first of three pilot stores that the company plans to open. The 37,000-square-foot, two-level unit's offerings include...

Wumart profit rise.(Global News)(Wumart Stores Inc)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... WUMART PROFIT RISE: Third quarter net profit at Wumart Stores Inc. increased by 54% to about 23.2 million yuan (about $2.8 million). The company's net profit for 2004 may rise by 65% to 118.45 million yuan, according to analysts' forecasts....

Wal-Mart China gain.(Global News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... WAL-MART CHINA GAIN: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has increased the number of its stores in China to 40 with the opening of an outlet in Wuhan. About 30% of the unit's offerings will come from nearby areas. The company has signed a deal with Shenzhen...

It's a brand and a store.(Spotlight)(Rituals)
November 15, 2004... AMSTERDAM -- A new retail concept devised by a former Unilever executive is changing the way many Europeans wash their clothes and shampoo their hair. Rituals is both a retailer and a brand of products, and both elements are unique. ...

Sainsbury feels heat.(Global; J Sainsbury PLC)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... LONDON -- J. Sainsbury PLC, Britain's third-largest grocer, is facing hard times because of increased competition from Tesco PLC and other retailers. Sainsbury declared that operating profits before exceptional items for the six months...

Woolworths.(Global)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... SYDNEY, Australia -- Woolworths Ltd. has won the hand of Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group Ltd. (ALH) with a bid of $1.32 billion Australian ($985 million U.S.). The victory came when rival Coles Myer Ltd. conceded and halted bidding for...

European woes impact Carrefour.(Global)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... PARIS -- Increased competition and weak consumer spending in Europe have led French retailer Carrefour SA to lower its earnings and revenue guidance for 2004. The retailer now expects that this year's sales increase will be less than the...

Daiei earnings continue their downward spiral, drop 49%.(Global)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... TOKYO -- Net profit for Japan's third-largest retailer, Daiei Inc., slid 49% to 1.18 billion yen ($10.8 million) during the fiscal first half ended August 31, as revenues dipped 5.8% to 935.03 billion yen ($8.5 billion). The results were...

Noritsu dry printer.(Merchandising News)
November 15, 2004... NORITSU DRY PRINTER: Noritsu America Corp. has released the dDP-621 digital dry printer, which delivers 580 prints per hour for 3.5-inch by 5-inch images. The dDP-621 includes a 7-color set of pigment ink for enhanced color portrayal as well as...

Jonel 'Revitalize It!'.(Merchandising News)(Cooling nail & cuticle therapy)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... JONEL 'REVITALIZE IT!': Jonel has announced plans to introduce in January Revitalize It! Cooling Nail & Cuticle Therapy, formulated to nourish dry, rough nails and cuticles on contact. The formula includes sesame oil, jojoba oil and apricot...

Artemis foot care.(Merchandising News)(Artemis Woman LLC)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... ARTEMIS FOOT CARE: Artemis Woman LLC has expanded its Healing Gems line to include Topaz Foot Butter, a cream that refreshes and renews sore, cracked and dry feet with all-natural ingredients, including tea tree oil, shea butter and finely...

Mark of Fitness item.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MARK OF FITNESS ITEM: Mark of Fitness Inc. has introduced two advanced upper-arm home blood pressure/ pulse monitors--the MF-36 and the MF-46--each with large, latex-free cuffs and large displays that show heart rate as well as blood pressure...

New wrinkle in selling gift cards.(Spotlight)
November 15, 2004... DALLAS -- Safeway Inc. has found a way to make money by helping consumers shop at other retail stores. The supermarket chain has done so by stocking its checkout lanes with gift cards good at such retailers as Home Depot Inc., Barnes &...

Dia Collins touts Big Lots.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Big Lots Inc. has a new lifestyle expert. She is Dia Collins, who has provided advice on home decorating and party planning on numerous television programs, including those shown on the Home & Garden Television network. ...

Giant food promotes living right.(Merchandising)(Giant Food Stores LLC)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Giant Food Stores LLC is providing rebates on purchases of a select group of healthful food products and other items to shoppers at 17 of its Harrisburg-area units. In addition, those customers who are members of...

Miller targets hispanic market.(Merchandising)(Miller Brewing Co.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MILWAUKEE -- Miller Brewing Co. is partnering with Univision Communications Inc. in a $100 million-plus, three-year deal to generate additional sales in the growing Hispanic marketplace. The pact includes advertisements, sponsorships, brand...

The personal care appliance market--second quarter (April-June) 2004.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 15, 2004... THE PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCE MARKET--SECOND QUARTER (APRIL-JUNE) 2004 Total Market 54,469 Hair Care & Grooming 25,926 Oral Care & Other Personal Care 28,543 Source: International Housewares...

As channels blur, store brands grow their role.(Store Brands)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- The retail industry is undergoing major changes as consumers rethink their relationships with different store formats, contends Private Label Manufacturers Association president Brian Sharoff. That in turn is creating new...

At PLMA show attendees look into future.(Merchandising)(Private Label Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- The future takes center stage at this year's Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) trade show. The theme of the show, scheduled for November 14 to November 16, is "Store Brands 2025." "What we're saying is that the...

More and more shoppers enter world of private label.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Virtually all Americans now buy private label goods. According to recent research from ACNielsen, consumers are also buying store brand items more frequently. As a result, private label merchandise continues to outstrip branded...

Grocers lean heavily on private label.(Store Brands)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- The supermarket business these days faces formidable competitive challenges that are making sales growth hard to come by. Discount outlets, drug stores, supercenters--and even dollar stores--are taking away supermarkets' share of...

Organic food has taken off.(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- One of the biggest areas of private label opportunity for supermarket operators is the booming organic food segment. And two chains in the Ahold USA Inc. group have capitalized on the trend with a new line of natural and organic...

Albertsons ups ante with H&BA line.(Merchandising)(Albertsons Inc.)
November 15, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has launched Equaline, a store brand collection of beauty aids and over-the-counter remedies. The introduction continues Albertsons' strategic brand-building initiative, which began with the debut last year of...

Beauty franchise is plus for drug chains.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Drug stores are aggressively expanding their retail brand offerings and, like supermarkets and the leading discounters, are using the lines for a variety of strategic goals. On one hand, private label items--especially in health...

Wal-Mart proven master in house brands.(Store Brands)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- While supermarkets still account for the great majority of private label sales, other trade classes and formats are claiming increasing shares of the store brand business. According to ACNielsen's HomeScan panel data, as...

Nash Finch: 100+ years selling PL.(Merchandising; private label)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MINNEAPOLIS -- Nash Finch Co., a grocery retailer and wholesaler, has been offering private label items for more than 100 years. The selections have been doing very well--sales totaled over $300 million in 2003. Volume increased almost 30%...

Save-A-Lot, Aldi show how it works.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Store brand products are assuming greater importance in all mass market retail formats, but in none more than the limited assortment grocery store. The two leading operators of the format in this country, Save-A-Lot Stores and the...

Paper products a natural for PL.(Store Brands)(private label)(Stefco Industries)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Paper products is a big category for private label. According to ACNielsen, it is in fact the fourth-largest in terms of private label dollar volume, with sales of $2.39 billion in 2003. The size of the business has attracted...

H&BAs biggest gainers in 2003.(Merchandising)(Health and Beauty Aids )(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- The health and beauty aids department is leading the way in private label sales growth, according to ACNielson. The H&BA department saw its private label sales rise 10% in 2003, according to ACNielson's Homescan data, with store...

Feminine hygiene gets total commitment.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- The extensive advertising and promotional campaigns mounted by brand name manufacturers have not kept private label products from making strong inroads in the tampon category. Taken together, private label tampons would rank No....

The quality must be there.(Store Brands)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- When it comes to absorbency products low price does not equal value unless it is coupled with efficacy and reliability. Consequently, for store brand items quality equal to the national brands is the price of admission. Such...

Private label keeps gaining in photo.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- The growing popularity of digital cameras has hurt sales of film, including the private label variety. Sales of onetime-use cameras have also been impacted, according to the Photo Marketing Association, which reports that sales...

They're no longer 'me too' versions.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Once known mainly for following the trends set by the national brands, private label manufacturers are increasingly developing innovative products of their own. Sometimes the product-development process still starts with a...

Oral Care opens up to changes.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Consumers have proven willing to trade up to more premium oral care products in recent years, and retailers and their private label suppliers are responding with innovative store brand offerings. The manual toothbrush and...

Supplements seen as way to fend off health problems.(Nutrition)(Industry Overview)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Higher health care costs, an aging and dieting population, the withdrawal of Vioxx and the shortage of the flu vaccine are some of the factors that should give a big boost to the nutritional, supplements and diet category. "The...

Too many choices lead to confusion.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Consumers seeking to manage their weight better during the holidays as well as at other times of the year now have a plethora of items--including diet bars, capsules and beverages--to help them accomplish that objective. This...

Healthier bones are an issue.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- Pharmavite LLC has launched an extensive consumer-education program, called Stop Osteoporosis Now!, in support of "Bone Health: A Report of the Surgeon General." "As a dietary supplements industry leader, we are well...

ABC offers web course on herbs.(Merchandising)(American Botanical Council)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... AUSTIN, Texas -- The American Botanical Council (ABC) has established the online "ABC Herbal Information Course" for retailers and other organizations that advise patients on the use of herbs. The program, which has its own web...

Something for every need.(Nutrition)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Today young and old Americans alike are focusing more on their physical well-being. So instead of just visiting doctors, they go to mass market retailers to buy an array of condition-specific products and supplements that have been...

Vitamins figure big in retail promos.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- There is good news for retailers and suppliers in the vitamin category: Sales should climb significantly in the years ahead. Volume could increase 3.5% annually from 2004 and possibly reach about $9 billion by 2014, according to...

As birth rate rises, sales follow.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK-- The infant care business has been lackluster overall during the last year, but a number of signs promise gradual improvement. More than most product areas, baby care sales fluctuate in rhythm to the birth rate. According to the...

Better taste helps the medicine go down.(Infant Care)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Infants are an important market for a host of over-the-counter medications. They are also difficult consumers, because their small size and physical limitations, not to mention their sensitivities to flavor, can make administering...

Moms will pay for soft baby skin.(Merchandising)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Babies' skin has long been a focus of attention for mothers, and suppliers continue to respond with improved formulations and products to meet parental demands. Suppliers and retailers agree that infant skin care is a segment in...

Wal-Mart makes shopping easy.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Baby care is a big business for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and the retailer has made a concerted effort to make shopping trips easier for parents of infants. Wal-Mart concentrates all of its baby care categories in one...

GelStat names CFO.(People News)(Chief Financial Officer)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... GELSTAT NAMES CFO: GelStat Corp. has appointed Nicholas Bluhm chief financial officer. Bringing more than 25 years of senior management and financial leadership experience to the post, Bluhm will oversee the company's financial operations as it...

Changes at Hershey.(People News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... CHANGES AT HERSHEY: Hershey Foods Corp. has announced changes in its executive team and packaging organization. Frank Cerminara, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will retire effective December 31. Succeeding him will be David...

Rite Aid director.(People News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... RITE AID DIRECTOR: The board of directors of Rite Aid Corp. has elected Dr. Michael Friedman a member, with his term due to expire at the company's annual meeting in June 2005. He is a distinguished clinical researcher with career roles in...

Shoppers Drug Mart.(People News)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... SHOPPERS DRUG MART: Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. has named Eva Kwok to its board of directors. Kwok, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Amara International Investment Corp. since 1992.

Platex Products CEO.(People News)(Chief Executive Officer)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... PLATEX PRODUCTS CEO: Playtex Products Inc. has named Nell Defeo president, chief executive officer and director. The company also announced that Glenn Forbes, chief financial officer, will retire at the end of the fiscal year. Kris Kelley has...

New man at Kmart.(Spotlight)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- In a surprise move, Julian Day has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of Kmart Holding Corp. He has been succeeded by Aylwin Lewis, who was president and chief multibranding and Woperating officer at YUM!...

Van Helden Albertsons unit head.(People)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has named Pete Van Helden president and chief executive ofricer of its newly created California food division. He reports to Larry Johnston, the company's chairman, chief executive officer and president. The...

Family Dollar tabs technology VP.(People)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores Inc. has promoted Elizabeth Austin to vice president of information technology operations. Austin, who has been with the retailer since 1998, had previously served as divisional vice president of...

Jackson is Wal-Mart people vp.(People)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Lawrence Jackson has joined WalMart Stores Inc. as executive vice president of the company's people division. He succeeds Coleman Peterson, who retired earlier this year. "Our company is experiencing a time of...

Plaisance new sr. vp finance at Safeway.(People)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2004... PLEASANTON, Calif. Safeway Inc. has appointed Melissa Plaisance senior vice president of finance and investor relations. She is responsible for the company's treasury and investor relations functions. The appointment marks Plaisance's...

Winn-Dixie changes.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... WINN-DIXIE CHANGES: Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has named Chuck Newsom regional vice president for the Central region, which includes sections of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Previously he was senior group vice president at Eckerd Corp. Newsom...

Walgreens RFID test.(Industry News)(Radio Frequency Identification)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... WALGREENS RFID TEST: Walgreen Co. is participating with manufacturers and distributors in a program called Jumpstart, which was set up to accelerate the use of both radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC)...

Nash Finch tabs VPs.(Industry News)(Vice Presidents)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... NASH FINCH TABS VPs: Nash Finch Co. has elected three employees to vice president positions. They are Salvatore Bale, vice president of perishables procurement, merchandising and marketing; Robert Dernbach, vice president of nonperishables...

Longs Drug dividend.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... LONGS DRUG DIVIDEND: Longs Drug Stores has declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of 14 cents per share. It is payable January 10 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30.

Zellers, bay to merge at top level.(News)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... TORONTO -- In an effort to form a cohesive, single retail entity, Hudson's Bay Co. has announced the reorganization of the merchandising, marketing and store operations of its three banner divisions: the Bay, Zellers Inc. and Home Outfitters....

Ahold U.S. CEO to step down.(News)(Chief Executive Officers)(Brief Article)
November 29, 2004... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands--Bill Grize is stepping down from his post as president and chief executive of Ahold U.S. Retail, effective at the end of the year. Grize will remain in an advisory role until his retirement, which is expected by...

October sales acceptable; holidays still uncertain.(News)(retail stores)
November 29, 2004... NEW YORK -- Cooler weather helped boost retail sales in October, although industry observers are divided on whether the gains point to a strong holiday season. Among the optimists is National Retail Federation president and chief executive...