Mass Market Retailers articles from October 2004

Mass Market Retailers archives from October 2004

President for Shaw's.(Industry News)(Shaw's division)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PRESIDENT FOR SHAW'S: Nicola DiFelice has been named president of Albertsons Inc.'s Shaw's division. She had been senior vice president of marketing at Shaw's for the past two years. DiFelice succeeds Paul Cannon, who has been appointed...

Publix files lawsuit.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PUBLIX FILES LAWSUIT: Publix Super Markets Inc. has filed an antitrust lawsuit against 3M Co., with regard to the supplier's rebate program. Under that program, the grocer maintains, 3M stifled competition with rebates that tied the price of...

SEC claims accord.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SEC CLAIMS ACCORD: Fleming Cos. and some of its suppliers and their employees have agreed to settle with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the agency's claims of accounting fraud. Although Fleming was not fined, some suppliers...

Bi-Lo online coupons.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BI-LO ONLINE COUPONS Bi-Lo Inc. has joined the SmartSource Online Savings Network. The venture enables the grocer's customers to print out coupons for many packaged products from www.Bi-LO.com.

Whole Foods debut.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WHOLE FOODS DEBUT: Whole Foods Market Inc. has opened a 62,000-square-foot unit in Princeton, N.J. The unit includes a cafe seating 75 and a Whole Body section that offers natural body care items.

Analysts bullish on holidays.(Spotlight)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Retail sales are expected to show healthy gains this holiday season. "Although consumer spending has been inconsistent in recent months," points out National Retail Federation (NRF) chief economist Rosalind Wells, "we expect...

CVS brings its brand of Rx to the Twin Cities.(News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. has launched its first stores in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The chain expects to open a total of eight to 10 stores in the Twin Cities between now and the end of 2004. "We believe our new store...

Albertsons will go gourmet.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has acquired Bristol Farms, an upstate specialty food retailer with 11 stores in southern California. The deal gives Albertsons entry into the gourmet food retailing segment. "terms of the transaction were not...

Wal-Mart responds to hurricanes.(News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- In response to the recent hurricanes that hit Florida and other states, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has undertaken several efforts to help people affected by them. For example, The Wal-Mart/ Sam's Club Foundation donated $1...

Wal-Mart's First Tee.(News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- For the first time Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has sponsored The First Tee across the United States. It also will sponsor the program in 2005. The First Tee is an initiative set up by the World Golf Foundation. It provides...

Correction.(News)(Correction Notice)
October 4, 2004... In a chart appearing in the September 20 issue of MMR, Information Resources Inc. incorrectly ranked Amo Complete Moisture Plus. It should have been ranked in the No. 5 position with sales of $20.5 million and a volume of 2.8 million units.

Scoreboard.(Money News)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Delhaize (1) 07/03 4.0 bil + 7.0 Foodarama 08/02 302.8 mil ...

Kroger O.K.'s $500 million stock repurchase.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... KROGER O.K.'s $500 MILLION STOCK REPURCHASE: Kroger Co. has authorized the buyback of a half-billion dollars of company stock. The program replaces a $500 million stock repurchase announced in December 2002, which in mid-September had about $16...

Duane Reade completes tender offer for notes.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... DUANE READE COMPLETES TENDER OFFER FOR NOTES: Duane Reade Inc. has completed the cash offer for its 2.1478% senior convertible notes due 2022. The note holders' option to sell their notes for repurchase by the company expired September 10. The...

Pathmark's corporate credit rating cut by S&P.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PATHMARK'S CORPORATE CREDIT RATING CUT BY S&P: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has reduced Pathmark Stores Inc.'s corporate credit rating to B+ from BB-, based on the supermarketer's poor second quarter and weaker credit measures. Pathmark...

CVS places $1.2 billion of notes.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CVS PLACES $1.2 BILLION OF NOTES: CVS Corp. last month privately placed $650 million aggregate principal of 4% unsecured senior notes due 2009 with an original issue price of 99.735%, and $550 million aggregate principal of 4.875% unsecured...

Albertsons declares quarterly dividend.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ALBERTSONS DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: Albertsons Inc. announced a regular quarterly dividend of 19 cents per share payable on November 9 to shareholders of record on October 13.

Drugstore.com provides third quarter update.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... DRUGSTORE.COM PROVIDES THIRD QUARTER UPDATE: Drugstore.com Inc. has forecast that third quarter revenues will increase by some 40% over the year-earlier period to $83 million to $85 million, with an expected GAAP (generally accepted accounting...

Target announces dividend.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... TARGET ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND: Target Corp. has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 8 cents per share payable December 10 to shareholders of record on November 20.

Biggest gainers.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 09/17/04 vs. 09/03/04 Change drugstore.com 3.05 +0.52 +20.6 99 cents Only...

Biggest losers.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 9/17/04 vs. 09/03/04 Change RiteAid 3.35 -1.20 -26.4 Winn-Dixie...

Most active.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 09/17/04 Share 09/03/04 Office Depot...

Kroger puts Wall Street on notice.(Spotlight)
October 4, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Sacrificing gross margin in an effort to spark sales momentum, Kroger Co. surprised Wall Street with a steep earnings shortfall in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Moreover, despite its margin investments the grocer warned that...

BJ's profits jump 27.5% in quarter.(Money)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NATICK, Mass. -- Merchandising improvements and rising food sales helped drive double-digit gains at both the top and bottom lines for BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. in the second fiscal quarter. Net income for the 13 weeks ended July 31 jumped...

ShopKo gains.(Money)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Propelled by lower interest expenses, ShopKo Stores Inc. listed a bottom-line gain in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Net income for the 13 weeks ended July 31 advanced 7.8% to $8.3 million, or 28 cents per diluted...

Albertsons is looking beyond the status quo.(Opinion)
October 4, 2004... After an extended period of trying to make its established business model work better, Albertsons Inc. has shifted its focus from the present to the future. In recent months, the supermarket, drug and food/drug combination store operator has...

Competition is the American way.(Opinion)
October 4, 2004... A recent New York Times editorial tackled what it sarcastically termed "Wal-Mart's New Spin," alluding to a speech Lee Scott, the retailer's CEO, had recently delivered before a group of securities analysts in New York City. Scott, the...

Less affluent consumers cut back.(Opinion)
October 4, 2004... Caution is the watchword for the economy of the United States. That assessment is based on several crucial factors, including slipping retail sales. The International Council of Shopping Centers reports that same-store sales increases have...

Sale rumors denied.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SALE RUMORS DENIED: British supermarketer J. Sainsbury PLC is not in talks with a potential buyer, according to a source close to the situation. Acquisition rumors drove up the chain's stock price early last month, with bidders said to include...

Recovery in Mexico.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RECOVERY IN MEXICO: Private spending and aggregate demand showed robust growth in the second quarter in Mexico as an economic recovery took hold, the government reported. Aggregate demand, including private and public consumption, rose 5.8%...

Deadline for Daiei.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... DEADLINE FOR DAIEI: Daiei is running out of time to seek help from Japan's state-funded turnaround body, the government warned last month. The government-backed Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan officially has until March to purchase the...

Asda satellite unit.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ASDA SATELLITE UNIT: Asda Group PLC has worked with Hughes Network Systems Europe to install a training and corporate satellite communications system. Replacing some paper- and mail-based communications, the system employs the "24/7 TV"...

Russia entry eyed.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RUSSIA ENTRY EYED: Speculation has emerged that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may debut in Russia next year. The retailer has sent a team there to assess the possibilities, a company spokesman says.

Jeronimo Martins opens 700th hard discount grocery store.(Global)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WARSAW -- Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins SA has opened its 700th hard discount grocery store under the Biedronka banner in Poland. The company is the second-largest retailer in the country based on sales, trailing only Germany's Metro AG....

Ahold moves ahead.(Spotlight)
October 4, 2004... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands--Following the trauma of 2003 with its revelation of an accounting scandal, ongoing investigations and a dramatic loss of market value, this year has been one of transition for Ahold NV. Despite some shortfalls in its...

Morrisons sells off 13 more stores.(Global)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... LONDON -- William Morrisons Supermarkets PLC continued to sell off some of its Safeway Inc. stores last month in order to meet competitive concerns. The sale of 10 units to Tesco PLC and three to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Asda division,...

Carrefour divestitures rumored.(Global)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PARIS -- Recent speculation among analysts covering the global supermarket business is that French retailer Carrefour SA may be preparing to sell its stores in Mexico and Japan. Selling off the stores, the analysts say, would be part of the...

Mega energy drink.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... MEGA ENERGY DRINK: FUZE Beverage LLC has introduced Mega Energy drink in 16-ounce cans selling for $1.99 each. Formulated with such vitamins as C, Bs and [B.sub.12], as well as ginseng and folic acid, the drink contains 10% real juice and no...

Oster Blend-N-Go cup.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... OSTER BLEND-N-GO CUP: Sunbeam Products Inc. has introduced the ester Blend-N-Go cup, a 16-ounce durable container that can be easily transported from blender to car to dishwasher and back. Dishwasher-safe, it includes a spill- and splash-proof...

Spa Sciences serum.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SPA SCIENCES SERUM: Spa Sciences Inc. has launched its Anti-Aging Cellular Renewal Serum containing both [Gatuline.sup.7] Age Defense, a patented, proactive, antiaging material, as well as advanced European ingredients. The skin care product is...

Swiffer sweep + vac.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SWIFFER SWEEP + VAC: Procter & Gamble Co.'s (P&G's) Swifter brand has introduced the Sweep + Vac, featuring a rechargeable upright vacuum cleaner for picking up large items and a Swifter disposable cloth for trapping dirt, dust and pet hair. It...

CVS gets out the word to Spanish-speaking consumers.(Merchandising)(Cardio Vascular Systems)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CMS Corp. is wooing the Hispanic market with its first Spanish-language television commercial. The spot will air in November as the chain rolls out some 1,000 converted Eckerd stores in Florida, Texas and Arizona--three...

Making purchasing connections.(Spotlight)
October 4, 2004... CHICAGO -- Getting pharmacy customers to shop the rest of the drug store has been a major challenge for years. The problem has been the focus of numerous industry studies as well, but a report just released by the General Merchandise...

Jarden makes acquisition.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RYE, N.Y. -- Jarden Corp., a provider of niche branded consumer items, has agreed to acquire American Household Inc. for $745.6 million in cash for equity and debt. American Household is the parent of Coleman Co. and Sunbeam Products Inc.,...

Megachains grow web offerings.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Online retail offerings are being expanded by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Walmart.com is offering more than 1 million items, including 700,000 books, 80,000 CDs and 18,000 movie titles. The...

P&G adds 'mobile' to marketing mix.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has teamed with mobile media company m-Qube on a cross-carrier "mobile storefront" for Herbal Essences. The online storefront is integrated with P&G's new Herbal Essences marketing campaign, "Never...

Supplements in the spotlight.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Health professionals emphasize that diet and nutrition play important roles in managing diabetes. And as more and more research is conducted on the disease, the potential benefits of certain nutritional supplements are becoming...

Diabetes spreads; impact is daunting.(OTC Diabetes Care)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- The occurrence of diabetes in this country has reached epidemic proportions. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), at least 18 million Americans have the disease, and the tally is growing rapidly due to the...

Retailers reach out with programs.(Merchandising)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- While diabetes medications play a major role at the pharmacy counter of many, if not most, mass market retailers, a number of chains are targeting the condition more broadly and presenting themselves as resources for information as...

Disease's side effects create more problems.(Merchandising)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- One of the serious side effects of diabetes is its impairment of the cellular metabolism of the skin. As a result, diabetes patients can suffer from a host of dermatological problems ranging from accelerated aging, loss of...

A category that's better to shop.(Household Cleaners)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Household cleaning is a continuous process, often involving tedious tasks and a wide variety of products, including detergents, mops, odor removers and oven cleaners. Retailers and suppliers alike are now trying to make those...

It's wise to compare price tags on basics.(Merchandising)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- The fact that most household cleaning items must be purchased frequently continues to prove a boon for mass market retailers. Fortunately for consumers, some of the most popular and needed products can often be purchased via...

No-fuss, no-muss cleaning is the aim.(Merchandising)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Suppliers are making a major and frequent household task, cleaning and caring for floors and carpets, easier with an array of special tools. "Consumers want to change the way they clean," says Inez Johnson, assistant brand...

Phoenix brands[TM].(Q&A)
October 4, 2004... Q: What is Phoenix Brands' mission and what is its strategy? A: Our overall mission is to ensure that our products and brands will always be consumer-relevant, and that our people and our approach to business will always be customercentric....

Next level of bathroom cleaning.(Household Cleaners)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Due to wave of innovative products, consumers may soon be taking a different attitude toward one of the least liked household chores--toilet bowl cleaning. For example, Reckitt Benckiser maintains that it has added fun to that...

Clean households are happy households.(Merchandising)(2004 National Spring Cleaning Survey)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Most Americans have a positive and proactive attitude regarding house cleaning. That was one of the key findings of the Soap and Detergent Association's (SDA's) 2004 National Spring Cleaning Survey. The report showed that 88%...

Detergents figure big in market.(Merchandising)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Because consumers always need clean clothes and clean dishes, the detergents segment of the household cleaning category continues to be a strong one for both retailers and suppliers. According to ACNielsen's "Homescan Consumer...

'Fragrances add more excitement'.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- To increase their appeal to a broad range of consumers, fragrances are being widely used in many types of household cleaning items, including detergents. "We've noticed that trend," says Pedro Somarriba, senior vice president...

A market in motion.
October 4, 2004... The scramble for market share in the oral care sector has prompted a number of recent deals that have changed the supplier landscape dramatically. Recent acquisitions have created some new oral care category powerhouses on the manufacturers'...

Toothpaste.
October 4, 2004... Product launches have been the rule in the toothpaste category this year: Some 96 new flavors, varieties and formulations reached store shelves in just the first seven months of 2004. Many of the new toothpastes promise consumers such...

Toothbrushes.
October 4, 2004... After a burst of sales in the power toothbrush segment sales in the overall toothbrush category have lagged recently, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI). "While power toothbrushes quickly garnered approximately 50% of sales,...

Accessories/floss.
October 4, 2004... In America's increasingly fast-paced society, convenience is driving sales in nearly every segment of the consumer products market. Oral care is no exception to this trend. "Baby boomers aren't afraid of innovation" Dental Concepts vice...

Oral pain relief.
October 4, 2004... Having a bright smile or fresh breath may give consumers pleasure, but the oral care category also addresses the pain caused by everything from toothaches to canker sores. Oral pain relief is a $158.6 million dollar business in...

Whitening products.
October 4, 2004... The whitening segment continues to outshine other oral care categories, and mass retailers are cashing in on its appeal. Consumers are still trading up to whitening toothpastes and strips from more mature segments, says a category manager...

Mouthwashes.
October 4, 2004... Whether used to maintain healthy gums or freshen one's breath, rinses and mouthwashes are an important part of the oral care category. For years dentists across the country have urged their patients to use a mouthwash or oral rinse in...

Shopko Stores Inc.(People News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SHOPKO STORES INC.: ShopKo Stores Inc. has named James Hilyard director of signing and graphics with responsibility for point-of-sale graphic programs, ad signing and in-store presentations. He joined ShopKo in 2002 as senior manager of visual...

Ocean Spray exec.(People News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... OCEAN SPRAY EXEC: Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has appointed Kenneth Romanzi senior vice president and chief operating officer of its domestic food and beverage business, the cooperative's largest division. Romanzi has more than two decades of...

NACDS appointment.(People News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NACDS APPOINTMENT: The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has named Paul Powell vice president of federal government affairs. Powell brings extensive experience to NACDS, having held numerous congressional and legislative positions over...

Enesco Group head.(People News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ENESCO GROUP HEAD: Enesco Group Inc. has named Cynthia Passmore-McLaughlin as its president. George Ditomassi, veteran Enesco board member and former chairman and chief executive officer of the Milton Bradley Co., will continue serving as...

American greetings.(People News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... AMERICAN GREETINGS: American Greetings Co.'s chairman of the board Morry Weiss has been elected chairman of the board of trustees of Yeshiva University. He joined the university's board in 1983 and became vice chairman in March 2000. As its...

Bell aims to delight and deliver.(Spotlight)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The cosmetics business is not a difficult one to enter, but sustaining and building a beauty brand over decades is a much tougher challenge. With over 70 years in the marketplace, Bonne Bell has proven its ability to do so....

Changes in exec level at Kroger.(People)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co. has announced that Mark Prestidge has joined the company as vice president of operations for its Southwest division. Prestidge brings more than two decades of retail experience to Kroger. "Mark is a talented leader...

Dominick's president steps down.(People)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. has announced that Randall Onstead, president of its Chicago-area subsidiary Dominick's Finer Foods LLC, has resigned for personal reasons. His successor will be Bruce Everette. "While we're sorry to lose...

Gannon tapped by Albertsons.(People)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has appointed Paul Gannon chief marketing officer. Gannon must recently served as president and chief executive officer of the company's Shaw's Supermarkets division, which was acquired by Albcrtsons in...

Winn-Dixie taps Skelton as director.(People)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has announced that Damp Davis is retiring from the supermarket company's board of directors. Jay Skelton, president and chief executive officer of DDI Inc., has been nominated to fill Davis'...

Stater appointment.(Industry News)(Stater Brothers Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... STATER APPOINTMENT: Stater Bros. Markets has appointed Don Baker president. A 21-year Stater employee, Baker was most recently executive vice president and chief operating officer. The 44-year supermarket industry veteran will retain the chief...

New Food 4 Less pact.(Industry News)(agreements)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... NEW FOOD 4 LESS PACT: Food 4 Less, a Kroger Co. division, has reached a three-year agreement with seven California units of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The new pact, which was finalized after many months of negotiations,...

Pamida opens units.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... PAMIDA OPENS UNITS: Pamida Inc. has opened three stores two in Montana and one in Iowa. Each employs 20 full-time and part-time employees. The retailer, a ShopKo Stores Inc. subsidiary, operates 216 one-stop units in rural America.

New card at Kroger.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... NEW CARD AT KROGER: Kroger Co. has debuted a credit card for customers of its stores in greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. The 1-2-3 Rewards MasterCard enables customers to get free groceries as well as savings on their favorite brands. They...

Holiday web outlook.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... HOLIDAYWEB OUTLOOK: Some online retailers may not experience robust sales this holiday season--a period that accounts for about a third of annual Internet sales. Analysts point out there are now more web sites that make it possible for...

Kmart's still out there swinging.(News)
October 18, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- While rumors continue to swirl about Kmart Holding Corp. moving its headquarters to Atlanta, the company recently ended speculation on another matter: Was it serious about remaining a player in the retail business? Kmart...

Delhaize expands its holdings in U.S.(News)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2004... BRUSSELS -- The Delhaize Group has acquired another supermarket chain in the United States: the privately held, Leominster, Mass.-based Victory Super Markets. The purchase price was $175 million. The U.S. arm of Delhaize, Delhaize America...

Wal-Mart on the grow.(Spotlight)
October 18, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Undeterred by sluggish sales growth, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will continue to aggressively expand next fiscal year. The world's largest retailer announced it will open 500 stores during the 12 months beginning February 1,...

CVS debuts first Eckerd makeovers.(News)(CVS Corp)
October 18, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. has completed the first four conversions of Eckerd stores, renaming them CVS and remodeling and redecorating them while lowering the gondolas from 6 feet to 5 feet. The stores are situated in Boca Raton, West...