Mass Market Retailers articles from November 2007

Mass Market Retailers archives from November 2007

New Stater Bros. hq.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 12, 2007... NEW STATER BROS. HQ: Stater Bros. Markets has opened its new corporate offices and a distribution center encompassing 2.1 million square feet on a 200-acre site in San Bernardino, Calif. Located on the former Norton Air Force Base, the...

Good economic signs.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... GOOD ECONOMIC SIGNS: The Commerce Department has reported that personal incomes in the United States grew at a 0.4% annual rate in September, while core consumer prices (excluding food and energy costs) rose at a 0.2% rate. A separate report...

FTC fight continues.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 12, 2007... FTC FIGHT CONTINUES: The Federal Trade Commission has asked a Washington, D.C., appellate court to overturn the federal district court decision that allowed Whole Foods Market Inc. to proceed with its acquisition of Wild Oats Markets Inc.

Kroger unit honored.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 12, 2007... KROGER UNIT HONORED: Kroger Co.'s Kroger Manufacturing division has been honored as one of the safest companies in America to work for by Occupational Hazards magazine.

Las Vegas is next for Tesco.
November 12, 2007... EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Tesco PLC has announced that it is moving ahead with its plans to penetrate the nation's grocery industry with its Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market stores. The retailer will launch five units in the Las Vegas area on...

Wal-Mart tweaks plan.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A heightened focus on returns at the annual analysts' conference of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was translated into lowered expectations by Wall Street, which proceeded to sell off the retailer's shares...

Target utilizes technology to showcase new apparel.
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Target Stores showcased its fall and winter designer apparel lines earlier this month in an unusual exhibition here, featuring holograms projected onto a section of Grand Central Terminal. Instead of actual models sporting...

Makeover planned by giant food.
November 12, 2007... LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food Inc. has said it will renovate or replace about 100 stores over the next three years in the largest investment the chain has made since it was acquired by Ahold NV in 1998. The overhaul is part of a bid to regain...

A Walgreens milestone.(NEWS)
November 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. opened its 6,000th store nationwide last month in New Orleans' Carrollton neighborhood. The event was acknowledged with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local...

Schnuck to give away generic antibiotics.(NEWS)
November 12, 2007... ST. LOUIS -- Schnuck Markets Inc. has announced a free prescription drug program for generic oral antibiotics. The promotion, which will be offered in all of its pharmacies across seven states, covers seven classes of drugs: amoxicillin,...

More new stores.(WAL-MART NEWS)
November 12, 2007... MORE NEW STORES: Wal-Mart opened 36 stores in 22 states last month, and added 4,300 jobs. Since February the retailer has opened 205 stores and warehouse clubs across the nation: 163 Supercenters, 19 Sam's Club units, 16 Neighborhood Markets...

A taste of Sam's.(WAL-MART NEWS)
November 12, 2007... A TASTE OF SAM'S: Sam's Club bakers, chefs and butchers are preparing their menus for the fifth annual Taste of Sam's event. This year's food sampling extravaganza is scheduled to take place from Friday, November 16, through Sunday, November...

Shoppers go green.(WAL-MART NEWS)
November 12, 2007... SHOPPERS GO GREEN: Customers are increasingly purchasing environmentally friendly products, according to Wal-Mart's Better Living Index, an ongoing barometer of consumer attitudes and shopping behaviors. Findings show that during the last six...

An early Christmas.(WAL-MART NEWS)
November 12, 2007... AN EARLY CHRISTMAS: Wal-Mart moved up the official Christmas shopping season, offering "Black Friday" prices three weeks early this year. Christmas sale items appeared on store shelves on Friday, November 2, when the retailer officially opened...

New home brands.(WAL-MART NEWS)
November 12, 2007... NEW HOME BRANDS: Wal-Mart is adding two new brands for the home next year. Canopy will launch a line of multicategory home essentials products in February. In the fall Meredith Corp. will launch a line of Better Homes and Gardens products,...

Supervalu on track.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MINNEAPOLIS -- Reported net income for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2008 grew by double digits at Supervalu Inc. despite comparisons against a prior-year quarter that included an additional week's...

Jean Coutu gets back into black.(MONEY)
November 12, 2007... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- With its operating results free of the stores in the United States that it sold to Rite Aid Corp., the Jean Coutu Group returned to profitability during the first quarter of fiscal 2008, sustained by solid revenue growth...

Biggest gainers.(MONEY)
November 12, 2007... BIGGEST GAINERS Stock Close Change vs. % 10/19/07 10/12/07 Change Winn-Dixie 17.44 +1.75 + 11.2 Saks 19.33 +1.28...

Biggest losers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... BIGGEST LOSERS Stock Close Change vs. % 10/19/07 10/12/07 Change Costplus 3.40 - 1.09 - 24.3 Nordstrom 38.59 - 5.21...

Most active.(MONEY)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 10/19/07 Shares 10/12/07 A&P 3,190 8.3 ...

Scoreboard.(MONEY NEWS)(Statistical table)
November 12, 2007... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % Ended Sales Change Burlington (1) 09/01 685.5 mil +3.2 drugstore.com (2) 09/30 107.3 mil +6.6 A&P (3) ...

Safeway net rises 12.2% on 3.9% sales increase.(MONEY)(Financial report)
November 12, 2007... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. posted a double-digit increase in earnings for the 12 weeks ended September 8, with results matching Wall Street's forecasts. Still, concerns over a deceleration in the chain's sales growth caused the...

Wall Street expresses concerns.(MONEY)
November 12, 2007... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Like his counterparts at a number of other mass market retailers, Safeway chairman, president and chief executive officer Steve Burd is finding analysts to be a tough audience these days. Notwithstanding a solid...

Fiscal 2008 outlook is reaffirmed.(MONEY)
November 12, 2007... MINNEAPOLIS -- With a solid bottom-line performance in the books for this year's second quarter, Supervalu's management reiterated its prior profit guidance for fiscal 2008. Diluted earnings per share, net of onetime acquisition costs of about...

Weis earnings drop 6.5% in quarter.(MONEY)(Financial report)
November 12, 2007... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Third quarter net declined on modest sales growth at Weis Markets Inc. The regional chain saw earnings for the 13 weeks ended September 29 slip 6.5% to $10.8 million as the top line edged up 1.4% to $565 million....

Carrefour group acquires romanian supermarket chain.(GLOBAL)
November 12, 2007... PARIS -- Carrefour S.A. has agreed to buy Artima, a Romanian supermarket chain, for 55 million euros ($79.6 million). The deal gives Carrefour a 21-unit supermarket chain in a country where it already operates hypermarkets. According to...

Sears Canada down.(GLOBAL NEWS)
November 12, 2007... SEARS CANADA DOWN: Sears Canada reported revenues of $1.37 billion (Canadian) for the third quarter ended September 29. That is a decrease of 2.9% from the prior-year period. Sears Canada president and chief executive officer attributed the dip...

China retail growth.(GLOBAL NEWS)
November 12, 2007... CHINA RETAIL GROWTH: China's retail industry will grow at an annual pace of 14% from 2007 through 2010, according to a new report from Research and Markets. Retail market capacity should reach 8.6 trillion yuan ($1.15 trillion) this year and...

Tesco's bond issue.(GLOBAL NEWS)
November 12, 2007... TESCO'S BOND ISSUE: Just ahead of the debut of its Fresh & Easy Market format in the U.S., Tesco PLC raised $2 billion in its first dollar-denominated bond issue. Citi-group and JPMorgan, Chase & Co. were the joint managers of the two-part debt...

Dutch food sales up.(GLOBAL NEWS)(GfK)(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... DUTCH FOOD SALES UP: In October supermarket sales in the Netherlands rose 6.5% compared to last year, according to the research firm GfK. That is the biggest increase of the year, and was prompted by higher prices and increased consumer...

ASDA sees slowdown.(GLOBAL NEWS)
November 12, 2007... ASDA SEES SLOWDOWN: A senior executive with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Asda unit said at a recent conference that he expects an economic slowdown to hit the United Kingdom in 2008.

Metro has reason to be bullish.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 12, 2007... DUESSELDORF, Germany --Strong growth in Eastern Europe boosted Metro AG's results in the third quarter and prompted the company to raise its sales forecast for the year. Metro's sales in the third quarter increased 10.8% over those of the...

Consolidation helps Casino sales.(GLOBAL)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Groupe Casino reported that third quarter sales from continuing operations reached 6.4 billion euros ($9.2 billion), a 12.1% increase over the preceding year. Much of the gain was attributed to the consolidation of...

Tesco cleared by U.K. panel.(GLOBAL)
November 12, 2007... LONDON -- Tesco PLC is not so dominant in Britain that it is able to squelch its rivals, a government commission has ruled. After an 18-month inquiry, the Competition Commission in the United Kingdom rejected claims that Tesco's 31% grocery...

Earnings rise 10.8% at Gigante.(GLOBAL)(Financial report)
November 12, 2007... MEXICO CITY -- Grupo Gigante SAB de CV, Mexico's third-largest retailer, posted total sales of 8.78 billion pesos ($819.9 million) for the third quarter, a 4.8% increase over the corresponding period in 2006. The retailer's same-store...

Wal-Mart balances competing priorities.(OPINION)
November 12, 2007... After a period of sometimes tumultuous experimentation, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has adopted a plan that shifts resources to parts of the business with the greatest growth potential, while at the same time attempting to placate its critics in the...

Retail groups fight for attention.(OPINION)
November 12, 2007... Retail trade organizations are fast becoming a glut on the market. In addition to the traditional U.S.-based associations--NACDS, FMI, RILA, GMDC (if these initials and acronyms mean nothing to you, you probably don't need to read any...

For chains, Halloween is cause to celebrate.(OPINION)(Brand Keys)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Christmas gets most of the attention, but it is not the only holiday that matters to mass retailers. Halloween represents a major sales opportunity as well, according to the New York-based brand and customer loyalty research...

Car air fresheners from Reckitt Benckiser, Winplus debut.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... LAS VEGAS -- Reckitt Benckiser and Winplus North America Inc., an automotive accessory supplier, have announced they will launch a line of car air fresheners under the Air Wick name. Winplus will offer various types of Air Wick branded...

MGM's James Bond ultimate collector's set.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... MGM'S JAMES BOND ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S SET: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC, has released the James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set on two-disc special-edition DVDs spanning 42 discs, selling...

Green by nature skin care collection.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... GREEN BY NATURE SKIN CARE COLLECTION: Skaffles LLC has introduced its Green by Nature collection of skin care products, ranging from lip balms and hand lotions to body washes and scrubs. The ingredients contain vitamins, extracts, oils and...

Accuflora pro-biotic acidophilus.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Northwest Natural Products Inc.)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... ACCUFLORA PRO-BIOTIC ACIDOPHILUS: Northwest Natural Products has launched AccuFIora Pro-Biotic Acidophilus caplets, formulated with a combination of five types of beneficial bacteria that improve digestion naturally. The caplets are designed to...

Freeman's feeling beautiful body scrubs.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... FREEMAN'S FEELING BEAUTIFUL BODY SCRUBS: Freeman Beauty, a division of pH Beauty Labs, is promoting for winter the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Guava salt body scrub, which exfoliates skin. The full line includes apricot facial creamy scrub,...

Concepts in health's MidNite natural sleep aid.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... CONCEPTS IN HEALTH'S MIDNITE NATURAL SLEEP AID: Concepts in Health Inc. has introduced MidNite, an herbal supplement that can betaken anytime throughout the night with no drowsy, morning-after side effects. Ingredients include melatonin, lemon...

Ace nail care tools designed for men.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... ACE NAIL CARE TOOLS DESIGNED FOR MEN: Newell Rubbermaid has introduced its Ace nail care line of clippers and grooming tools designed specifically for men. The collection includes the Ace nail brush for scrubbing fingernails, selling for $6.99;...

Mike and Ike to expand candy line for 2008.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... MIKE AND IKE TO EXPAND CANDY LINE FOR 2008: Just Born Inc. has expanded its Mike and Ike brand to include Zours, a 2sour fruit-flavor candy. The Zours mix includes five flavors--sour cherry, sour lemon, sour green apple, sour watermelon and...

Blistex adds new lip balm.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Blistex Inc. is introducing a medicated liquid lip balm that the company says delivers penetrating moisturization without leaving a waxy feel. The company's Lip Infusion Soothing Splash is designed to deliver deep,...

Virtual world insights.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEENAH, Wis. -- By leveraging the latest developments in virtual reality technologies, Kimberly-Clark Corp. has taken a huge step forward in boosting the scientific component in the art of merchandising. Last...

Jakks to offer discovery kids line.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... MALIBU, Calif. -- Jakks Pacific Inc. has signed a worldwide master toy license agreement to create toys and related products with Discovery Communications through Big Tent Entertainment, the licensing agent for Discovery Kids. The products will...

Campbell restructures core division.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... CAMDEN, N.J. -- Campbell Soup Co. has realigned its North American business to streamline its management structure. Three of the company's business units--Campbell USA, which consists of the U.S. Soup, Sauces and Beverages retail...

Fuji unveils digital camera at fete.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... VALHALLA, N.Y. -- Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. celebrated the launch last month of its FinePix Z10fd digital camera with a special "Z" launch party at the Fillmore NY, one of New York City's premier music venues. The occasion was hosted by Emmy...

New Snapple drinks 'healthy and tasty'.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... PLANO, Texas -- Snapple has introduced a new line of "good for you" juice drinks that bring what the company maintains are unique fruit flavor combinations from "super" fruits. "Our new Super Premium Juice Drinks will contribute to a...

Painter sees way to use experience.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Bruce Painter, who retired earlier this year from his position as pharmacy merchandise manager at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. after 22 years with the retailer, has started his own consulting business. As head of Blue Ocean...

Burt's Bees acquired.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... OAKLAND, Calif. -- Clorox Co. has agreed to purchase Burt's Bees, a leading supplier of natural personal care products, for $950 million in cash. "This acquisition allows us to enter a growing market that's consistent with consumer...

Quality, uniqueness are what make a store brand.(STORE BRANDS)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- The strategic role of store brands has changed--or expanded--in a major way in recent years. No longer are private label goods expected merely to provide national brand equivalents priced competitively lower while delivering heftier...

Top private label supermarket categories.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... Top Private Label Supermarket Categories Dollar Dollar By Dollar Volume Volume Share 1. Milk $6.4 bil. 58.5% 2. Break & Baked Goods...

Drug chains biggest gainers in private label.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Private label products continue to expand their share of the shelf, achieving an all-time high in dollar sales last year, according to data compiled by Nielsen Co. for the Private Label Manufacturers Association. Store brand...

Wal-Mart taps Ruben for PL.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has created a new position that oversees private label strategy, and the discounter has appointed a high-profile young executive to fill the post. Andrew Ruben, 34, has been vice president of...

Absorbency products run gamut.(STORE BRANDS)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Demand for absorbency products is being driven by diverse trends, and store brands are thriving in the segment as shoppers respond to the combination of quality and value presented by private label products. For example, even...

Tesco's big plans for greener living.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... CHESHUNT, England -- Tesco PLC, the United Kingdom's largest retailer and now a player in the western United States with its new Fresh & Easy format, plans to shake up its private label offerings early next year with a new brand, Greener...

PLMA recognizes the 'best' in retail.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... CHICAGO -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kroger Co., Target Corp. and Costco Wholesale Corp. will be among the winners when the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) presents its Salute to Excellence Awards. The honors will be bestowed...

As boomers age demand is created: PL is an answer.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- The aging of the baby boom generation is proving to be a bonanza for many product categories, and it could be a significant driver of private label growth as well. The opportunity is broad and multifaceted, retailers and...

The great untapped market.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... BALTIMORE -- Store brand marketing efforts are not reaching some Hispanic consumers, a recent poll suggests. While 78% of all Hispanics in the United States have a positive perception of private label store brands, only 61% of those...

The issue is maintaining quality.(STORE BRANDS)
November 12, 2007... BURLINGTON, Mass. -- The most successful mass market retailers today have raised the bar on store brand programs, increasing the percentage of private label goods they deliver to store shelves. Savvy supermarket retailers have discovered that...

In health and beauty aids segment, the challenge is identifying trends.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Store brand sales growth in health and beauty aids has been uneven, with the greatest penetration achieved in over-the-counter remedy categories. Beauty care, by and large, has remained dominated by national brands. In such...

Top private label chain drug categories.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... Top Private Label Chain Drug Categories By Dollar Volume Dollar Dollar Volume Share 1. Medications/Remedies $918.3 mil. 21.4% 2. Vitamins $432.9...

Trimmers, shavers, depilatories aim at unwanted hair.(GROOMING)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Consumers are looking for easier, more effective and less painful ways to remove unwanted hair, and suppliers are responding with a variety of advanced products that promise to meet that need. Many of the new products are...

Two winners make a category work.(SUPPLY SIDE)(HeadBlade Co.)(BG Products LLC)(Statistical table)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Catering to the needs of men who are bald, either by choice or by genetic destiny, has become a viable and growing niche in the men's grooming category. HeadBlade Co., for example, got its start by developing a razor...

Contest, promos a route to take.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Manufacturers of grooming products are turning to contests and promotions to create interest in their products. Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is seeking marketing ideas from students at some of the nation's top business schools to...

Health is name of the game.(INFANT CARE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Health concerns have had a significant impact on the infant care segment and are helping to drive consumer demands for changes in how many baby care products are packaged and used. That overriding trend has made itself felt across...

For babies way to go is more natural.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Natural ingredients have been playing an increasingly important role in baby bath products, and several major brands have included natural products in their offerings. Burt's Bees Inc. has based its products on natural formulas...

Oral care starts immediately.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Tooth decay afflicts more than 40% of children before kindergarten, often rapidly and with a lasting effect on dental health. To help ensure healthy teeth, the American Academy of Pediatric dentistry recommends that parents cleanse...

Disposable diapers are leader in infant care.(SUPPLY SIDE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Disposable infant diapers, which make up one of the largest infant care segments, are regarded as necessities by most parents. Consumers spent $1.8 billion on disposable diapers in supermarkets, drug stores and discount stores...

Keeping, germs away from babies.(INFANT CARE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Safety and convenience are prime concerns for busy parents with infants and toddlers in tow. Those needs have led to a robust demand for germ barrier products that help protect newborns and babies from exposure to bacteria while...

Institute to study what mothers want.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Gerber Products Co.)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... FLORHAM PARK, N.J.--In September Gerber Products Co. launched its Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich. The program will use proprietary research about what mothers want, to help retailers improve volume and profits. ...

Coors president, CEO.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... COORS PRESIDENT, CEO: Molson Coors Brewing Co. has named Peter Swinburn president and chief executive officer of Coors Brewing Co., effective December 1. The company also appointed Mark Hunter, currently chief commercial officer of Molson...

GMDC board addition.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... GMDC BOARD ADDITION: The Global Market Development Center has announced that Karen Bakewell, director of GM/HBC merchandising with Spartan Stores Inc., will join GMDC's board of directors. After serving a two-year tenure on GMDC's membership...

Lornamead changes.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... LORNAMEAD CHANGES: Lornamead Inc. has appointed James Carney to the post of vice president of operations and supply chain, and Jeff Lokken to the position of vice president of research and development. Separately, the company announced the...

TABS administrator.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... TABS ADMINISTRATOR: The TABS Group has named Fran Kubelle as a database administrator. "Fran's analytical skill set and experience in consumer goods fit nicely into our employee model," says Kurt Jetta, founder and president of the TABS.

Profoot band post.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... PROFOOT BRAND POST: ProFoot Inc. has named Eileen Fennell brand manager. As part of her new position, she will initiate, develop and manage brand strategy and marketing programs in support of all ProFoot products.

CBX names senior VP.(PEOPLE NEWS)
November 12, 2007... CBX NAMES SENIOR VP: CBX has appointed Todd Maute to the post of senior vice president/partner. In this role Maute will focus on expanding the company's retail environment capabilities in the area of marketing, retail brand development, package...

Changes at Supervalu.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 12, 2007... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Supervalu Inc. has announced major executive changes at its southern California division, one of two that make up the grocery chain's nine-state Retail West region, the retailer's largest geographic sector. Sue Klug,...

Dreiling is honored for giving back.(PEOPLE)
November 12, 2007... NEW YORK--Richard Dreiling, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Duane Reade Inc., has been awarded the 2007 Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the Thirteenth Annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards Benefit here last...

Senior VP is named by ShopKo.(PEOPLE)
November 12, 2007... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. has named Jill Soltau senior vice president and general merchandise manager of soft lines, reporting to Michael MacDonald, chairman and chief executive officer. Soltau has held senior merchandising...