Mass Market Retailers articles from September 2006

Mass Market Retailers archives from September 2006

Supervalu Investor.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Yucaipa Cos. is buying stocks of supermarket)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... SUPERVALU INVESTOR: Supervalu Inc. has said that funds associated with the private equity firm Yucaipa Cos. LLC had filed to buy up to $680 million of the nation's No. 2 grocery chain's common stock. Yucaipa, which has a history of investing in...

Kroger site debuts.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(MakeTheMost.com is introduced)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... KROGER SITE DEBUTS: Kroger Co. has announced the launching of a web site that invites shoppers to access a variety of information on all of the produce that the company offers. Dubbed MakeTheMost.com, the site offers recipe suggestions,...

Ralphs store sale.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Ralphs Grocery Co. acquired by Alamo Group Inc. and Nugget Markets)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... RALPHS STORE SALE: Nugget Markets, with the Alamo Group, has acquired eight former Ralphs Grocery Co. markets in the greater Sacramento, Calif., area. Nugget will make two of the units into its signature grocery stores, and the remaining six...

Marsh bidders out.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Cardinal Paragon Inc. and Drawbridge Special Opportunities Advisors LLC dropped to takeover Marsh Supermarkets Inc.)(MSH Supermarkets Inc. is looking for the offer)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... MARSH BIDDERS OUT: Marsh Supermarkets Inc. has said that Cardinal Paragon Inc. and Drawbridge Special Opportunities Advisors LLC, which had made an unsolicited takeover bid, have withdrawn the offer. Marsh is proceeding with its plan to be...

Winn-Dixie units sold.(INDUSTRY NEWS)( BSL Holdings Ltd. bought Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... WINN-DIXIE UNITS SOLD: Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has sold its 12 supermarkets in the Bahamas to BSL Holdings Ltd., a Bahamian investor group, for about $54 million.

Dollar Store chain tabs president.(R. James Kelly appointed)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores has promoted R. James Kelly to the positions of president and chief operating officer. Kelly was vice chairman and chief financial and administrative officer, the titles he assumed when he joined the...

Sammons guides consolidation.(Rite Aid Corp.'s chairman will be Mary Sammons)(Michel Coutu, Dennis Wood joins the company)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- The expansion of Rite Aid Corp. will be accompanied by a widened role for president and chief executive Mary Sammons, who will also become company chairman. Michel Coutu, currently president of the Jean Coutu Group's...

Giant maps strategy to bolster position.(Giant Food Inc. expansion)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food Inc. has announced expansion plans for the balance of 2006, which will result in eight new and replacement stores and six remodeled units before the end of the year. Plans also call for the chain to close several...

Rite Aid's big surprise.(SPOTLIGHT)(purchasing Jean Coutu Group Inc.)
September 4, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Consolidation in the chain drug industry has taken another big step forward with Rite Aid Corp.'s agreement to acquire the United States operation of the Jean Coutu Group (PJC), which is based in Longueuil, Quebec. In a...

Dollar General hit with rating cut.(Merrill Lynch and Company Inc. analysis)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. faces challenges to its profitability as low-margin consumables account for a growing share of its product sales. That is the view of analysts at Merrill Lynch & Co. The brokerage firm has...

Farmer Jack to try hand at new format.(news)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... DETROIT -- Farmer Jack, a unit of A&P, will convert at least three of its supermarkets in the Detroit metropolitan area to a new hybrid concept that combines upscale and discount products, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. The...

Meijer tackles in-store clinics.(signed an agreement with Arcadia Resources Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... WALKER, Mich. -- Meijer Inc. has reached an agreement with Arcadia Resources Inc. in which Arcadia will operate walk-in health clinics in seven Meijer stores in Michigan. The clinics will be located inside Meijer stores in Grand Rapids,...

Spartan ends '06, begins '07 on a high.(Spartan Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores Inc., a grocery distributor and supermarket operator based here, has positioned itself for profitable growth, president, chairman and chief executive officer Craig Sturken told shareholders at the chain's...

Stater Bros. names Lee president, coo.(NEWS)(promotion of Jim Lee of Stater Brothers Markets Inc. )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... COLTON, Calif. -- Stater Bros. Markets has promoted supermarket veteran Jim Lee to the posts of president and chief operating officer. He had been executive vice president of retail operations and administration. Lee joined Stater Bros. in...

Correction.(NEWS)(Correction notice)
September 4, 2006... An article on heat and cold therapy products on page 28 of the August 21 issue of MMR misnamed the Cryo-MAX 8 Hour Reusable Cold Pack supplied by Modular Thermal Technologies Inc.

Store Brands Boom.(The Hartman Group survey of private label products at the Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... STORE BRANDS BOOM: A new study from market researcher The Hartman Group indicates that Wal-Mart's major private labels are winning acceptance from consumers. In an online survey of 1,048 shoppers, five of the top 10 retail brands respondents...

Chambers Chairs NHLI.(WAL-MART NEWS)(Susan Chambers of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the chairwoman of National Hispana Leadership Institute )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CHAMBERS CHAIRS NHLI: Susan Chambers, executive vice president of Wal-Mart's People division, has been named chairwoman of the newly formed corporate advisory council of the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI). The council will focus...

New Diversity Move.(National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... NEW DIVERSITY MOVE: The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) has partnered with Wal-Mart as part of the retailer's ongoing commitment to advancing diversity among its associates, suppliers and customers. The partnership includes...

Coughlin sentenced.(Tom Coughlin of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... COUGHLIN SENTENCED: Former vice chairman Tom Coughlin, who pleaded guilty to stealing money, goods and gift cards from Wal-Mart, has been sentenced to 27 months of home confinement and five years of probation, and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine...

Scoreboard.(retail trade earnings)(Statistical table)
September 4, 2006... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Big Lots (1) 07/29 1.06 bil +5.6 BJ's (2) 07/29 2.14 bil ...

Spartan Stores declares quarterly dividend.(MONEY NEWS)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... SPARTAN STORES DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: Spartan Stores Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 5 cents per common share, payable on September 15.

Family Dollar Stock Buyback Cleared.(MONEY NEWS)(Family Dollar Stores Inc.'s share repurchase program)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... FAMILY DOLLAR STOCK BUYBACK CLEARED: Family Dollar Stores Inc.'s board of directors has authorized the company to buy an additional 5 million shares of its common stock, The purchases, which will be financed by a combination of cash from...

HSBC cuts its rating on Kroger to "neutral".(MONEY NEWS)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... HSBC CUTS ITS RATING ON KROGER TO "NEUTRAL": The brokerage HSBC lowered its rating on Kroger Co. to "neutral" from "overweight," arguing that Kroger has executed its sales recovery strategy nearly flawlessly but lacks a catalyst to take its...

Biggest gainers.(MONEY)(Statistical table)
September 4, 2006... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 09/04/06 vs. 07/28/06 Change Longs 47.21 +6.45 +15.8 Fred's 13.55 ...

Biggest losers.(stocks)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 09/04/06 vs. 07/28/06 Change Cost Plus 10.37 -3.16 -23.4 Retail Ventures 15.00 ...

Most active.(stocks)(Statistical table)
September 4, 2006... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 09/04/06 Shares 07/28/06 Cost Plus 6,467...

Wal-Mart makes a rare misstep.(SPOTLIGHT)(withdrawn from Germany and South Korea which effected its earnings)
September 4, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A major charge related to its withdrawal from Germany and South Korea resulted in the first quarterly decline in net income for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. since 1996. However, despite tepid same-store sales growth, continuing...

Target cautious despite strong second quarter.(MONEY)
September 4, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Steady growth in both retail sales and its credit card business produced another double-digit increase in net earnings for Target Corp. during the second quarter, enabling the company to exceed Wall Street's expectations. During...

Jean Coutu earnings off 0.6% in fiscal '06.(Jean Coutu Group)
September 4, 2006... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group listed a slight decline in net income for fiscal 2006 even though acquisition-driven revenue grew at a solid double-digit clip. Management, however, pointed to signs of improvement in the company's...

Profits fall 21.1% at Stater Bros.(MONEY)(Stater Brothers Holdings Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... COLTON, Calif. -- With pricing pressures taking a toll on margins and a higher tax rate inflicting additional damage, Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. saw net income for fiscal 2006's third quarter fall 21.1% to $5.7 million despite a 5.4% increase...

BJ's cuts guidance for year.(MONEY)(BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.'s earnings)
September 4, 2006... NATICK, Mass. -- Declining customer traffic, faltering same-store sales growth and lower profit on gasoline all helped drive down net earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 at BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. In response, management scaled down...

Apple prowess extends to the retailing arena.(Apple Computer Inc.)
September 4, 2006... Anyone seeking ideas about how to put the excitement back into retailing need look no further than the stores operated by Apple Computer Inc. The outlets do more than showcase the company's Mac and iPod electronics, they embody the ethos of...

Wal-Mart's not a political issue.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Editorial)
September 4, 2006... "Everybody told me that this store would just knock me out. And it is absolutely gorgeous. I've just never seen anything like it. I told Sam it's my daughter's birthday today. I got her presents, but I'm sure I'll find something else this...

Not all baby boomers shop the same way.(OPINION)(Information Resources Inc. survey)
September 4, 2006... CHICAGO -- While their affluence makes them highly desirable customers, the subtleties of marketing to baby boomers represent a formidable challenge, according to a recent report from Information Resources Inc. (IRI). The study, "The IRI...

China's Wumart gains.(Wumart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CHINA'S WUMART GAINS: Wumart Stores Inc., a leading supermarket operator in China, reported a 44% increase in net profit for the first half. The company reported that net rose to 108.9 million yuan ($13.7 million), from 75.5 million yuan the...

Advances at Wal-Mart.(Wal-mart de Mexico registers increase in sales in July)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... ADVANCES AT WAL-MART: Wal-Mart de Mexico, also known as Walmex, reported that total sales for July were 15.62 billion pesos ($1.44 billion), which is an increase of 15.6% from the corresponding period a year ago. Same-store sales for the month...

Zellers unit debuts.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Hudson's Bay Co. opened store)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... ZELLERS UNIT DEBUTS: Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC) has opened a Zellers store in the Centre Mall in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The outlet reflects the latest Zellers prototype, with a small grocery section complete with coolers and freezers, a major...

Cencosud sales up.(Cencosud SA's sales up)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CENCOSUD SALES UP: Cencosud SA, a diversified retailer based in Chile and operating stores in that country and in Argentina, reported that first half sales rose 82% from a year earlier, due mainly to the contributions of new stores and a...

Sobeys in deal to acquire Quebec-based food distributor.(GLOBAL)(Achille de la Chevrotiere Ltee)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... STELLARTON, Nova Scotia--Sobeys Inc. is set to buy substantially all the food distribution assets of Achille de la Chevrotiere Ltee (ADL) and its associated companies. ADL is an independent food distributor operating mainly in the...

Nonfood to get Tesco's attention.(Verdict Research Ltd. research report)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... LONDON -- Britain's largest grocery chain, Tesco PLC, is set to become the dominant retailer in the nonfood sector as well, according to an industry report. The study, released last month by Verdict Research Ltd., predicts that Tesco will...

Asda makes sales inroads.(GLOBAL)(ASDA Group Ltd. market share)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... LONDON -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Asda Group PLC division in the United Kingdom has boosted its market share, although tough competition hurt margins and resulted in below-forecast income. Wal-Mart stated during a prerecorded conference call...

Coles weighs offer.(Coles Myer Ltd.)
September 4, 2006... MELBOURNE, Australia -- Scarcely more than two weeks after unveiling an ambitious restructuring plan, Coles Myer Ltd. has received a takeover bid from a consortium of private equity firms. The company did not identify the bidders but said it...

Ahold under pressure to divest.(GLOBAL)(Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)(Paulson & Co. and Centaurus Capital Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- Investment funds Paulson & Co. and Centaurus Capital Ltd., which hold a 6.4% stake in the Dutch retailer Ahold NV, have called for changes in the company's structure, including the sale of Ahold's holdings in the United States. ...

Traditional, online coupons drive in-store B-T-S sales.(back-to-school)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... WOBURN, Mass. -- Parents intend to use both traditional and online coupons as they prepare for the back-to-school season, according to a recent survey. Stores--rather than web sites--will be the destination for most back-to-school...

Kmart.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Kmart Holding Corp. market strategy)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... KMART: A weekly circular for Anaheim, Calif., good through Saturday, August 12, featured a two-for-$4 sale on Colgate-Palmolive Co.'s 8.2-ounce Colgate toothpaste and a two-for-$5 sale on the company's 6-ounce premium toothpaste or...

CVS.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(marketing strategy)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CVS: A weekly circular for Boston, good from August 6 to August 12, featured a "buy one at $1.79, get one for 1 cent" with card offer for the extra-large 5-ounce Hershey Co.'s Hershey's candy bar; a "buy one, get one for 1 cent" with card offer...

A&P.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc. marketing strategy)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... A&P: The supermarket operator highlighted several offers in its online flyer for Midland, N.J., that were good from August 5 to August 11. These specials, some of which required the use of the retailer's customer reward card, included a...

Rite Aid.(PROMOTIONS NEWS)(marketing strategy)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... RITE AID: A weekly circular for New York City, good from August 6 to August 12, featured a 40%-off sale on L'Oreal USA Inc.'s Maybelline New York cosmetics; and a $5.99 offer for Procter & Gamble's Tide laundry detergent, either 100-ounce...

Another Meijer debuts.(SPOTLIGHT)(in Michigan)
September 4, 2006... WARREN, Mich. -- The newest supercenter of Meijer Inc., which opened its doors in Warren, Mich., on August 8, is a showcase of initiatives the discount chain has taken to reinforce its position as low-cost leader in one-stop shopping. The...

Supers halt slide in market share.(MERCHANDISING)(Information Resources Inc.'s "Time & Trends" report)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... CHICAGO -- The shift of business from traditional supermarkets to supercenters is slowing, according to a new study from Information Resources Inc. (IRI). According to IRI's latest "Time & Trends" report, "Channel Migration: A New Turning...

CVS offers new photo options.(MERCHANDISING)(introduced CVS Photo Center service )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. has introduced an online photo service that it maintains will expedite image processing and open up a whole range of processing options to customers using personal computers. The new CVS Photo Center service...

A Greener Publix.(MERCHANDISING)(Publix Super Markets Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to expand its GreenWise Market brand of organic and health-oriented food products to include fresh meat. The chain is preparing to introduce GreenWise chicken in the next few months and will...

AgroLabs.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(dietary supplements industry)
September 4, 2006... AgroLabs Inc.'s products offer consumers an alternative way to get their nutritional supplementation. "Consumers are tired of capsules and tablets," explains chief operating officer Kurt Cahill. AgroLabs, a subsidiary of Integrated...

Ansell Healthcare.(Ansell Healthcare Products LLC's innovative products )(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... Ansell Healthcare Products LLC is building on its success in the nutritional supplements category. Last year the company introduced Sustain for Men by LifeStyles, billed as the first nationally branded, credible, scientifically backed male...

Bausch & Lomb.(promotion of nutritional supplements)(Bausch & Lomb Inc.)
September 4, 2006... Nutritional supplements designed to support healthy eyes and vision currently generate sales of about $100 million a year in the United States. But Bausch & Lomb believes that figure could be much higher, and is committed to helping make it so....

Fizogen Precision Technologies.(cutting-edge diet supplement)
September 4, 2006... Fizogen Precision Technologies has introduced what it calls the world's most cutting-edge diet supplements. The line is called The Burn, in recognition of what the company describes as its "liquid heat technology." The supplements are...

GenSpec Labs.(GenSpec Labs LLC)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... Studies show that different ethnic groups have distinct nutritional needs and health risks. These factors are behind many of the most dangerous and debilitating diseases. GenSpec Labs LLC has formulated the first genetically specific...

Javalution Coffee.(Javaluation Coffee Co's product clubs nutrition and fitness)
September 4, 2006... Javalution Coffee Co. has fused one of America's favorite beverages, coffee, with nutrition and fitness. Last year the company introduced JavaFit, the first high-energy, fat-burning gourmet coffee to appear in the nutritional supplements...

Kellogg Co.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(Special K20[TM] Protein Waters, Special K[R] Protein Meal Bars and Special K[R] Protein Snack Bars)
September 4, 2006... Kellogg Co. has for many years ignited center-store sales with its familiar ready-to-eat cereals, wholesome snacks, cookies and crackers, frozen entrees, and breakfast and veggie food. Now Kellogg is driving cross-store sales by bringing its...

Mason Vitamins.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... One of the strengths of Mason Vitamins Inc. is its strong link to the pharmacy business. Vice president of sales Gary Pigott points out that the company's heritage includes a background as a generic pharmaceuticals distributor, and...

Natrol.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(dietary supplements)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... Natrol Inc. is a highly diversified company that makes and markets more than 200 premium nutritional, herbal tea and sports nutrition products under the Natrol[R], Laci Le Beau[R] and Prolab[R] brands, respectively. The items are available...

NFI Consumer Products.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... NFI Consumer Products is recognized by leading retailers as one of the most innovative and visionary companies in the consumer products industry. Committed to the research and development of unique quality products designed to meet specific...

Nutrition 21.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)
September 4, 2006... Nutrition 21 is pioneering an effort to use patented technology, pharmaceutical research, strategic marketing and an integrated sales team to create a new consumer packaged goods company. It is targeting the diabetes marketplace, where poor...

NxCare.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(spotlight on NxCare Inc.)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... The story of NxCare[TM] begins like that of so many other companies. Two brothers, Brad and Derek Woodgate, had a dream, but few resources to fulfill that dream. However, they also had ambition, determination, some great ideas for products and...

Pharmavite.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(Pharmavite LLC)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... In recent years many American consumers have grown more sophisticated in their approach to supplementation, focusing on products that address specific health concerns. Pharmavite LLC has built its business not only by responding to consumer...

WN Pharmaceuticals.(Who's Who in Diet & Nutrition)(WN Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
September 4, 2006... The fastest-growing nutritional supplements manufacturer in Canada, WN Pharmaceuticals Inc. is making its mark in the United States with a brand well known to generations of Americans. Last year the company launched the Sunkist line of...

MMR/IRI H&BA category performance study.(Information Resources Inc.)(Health & Beauty Aids)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... THIS YEAR'S in-depth look at selected health and beauty aids categories using figures provided by Information Resources Inc. (IRI) suggests continued steady progress in the H&BA arena. The consumer data presented, moreover, highlights some of...

Staedtler tabs two.(PEOPLE NEWS)(promotion of Steffi Steffen and Connie Chou )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... STAEDTLER TABS TWO: Staedtler Inc. has promoted Steffi Steffen to product manager for writing instruments and Connie Chou to product manager of art and drafting products. Previously they served as associate product managers.

ECRM expands staff.(Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... ECRM EXPANDS STAFF: Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing has added three to its staff as part of an effort to expand its global reach--Mark Myrick as director of business development for Asia, Bedros Kalfayan as category development manager...

RILA execs step up.(Retail Industry Leaders Association executives)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... RILA EXECS STEP UP: The Retail Industry Leaders Association has promoted Lori Denham to executive vice president of public affairs and Jenny Keehan to executive vice president of member services.

Giant health chief.(Giant Food Stores LLC)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GIANT HEALTH CHIEF: Giant Food Stores LLC has promoted Beth Holmes to director of health and wellness. She is responsible for developing marketing plans to promote health and wellness products, information and services while developing...

Pro-line recognized.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Sheryl Adkins-Green of Pro-Line International won the 2006 Friends of Radio One Award from media giant Radio One Inc.)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... PRO-LINE RECOGNIZED: Sheryl Adkins-Green, general manager of global business for Pro-Line International, has received the 2006 Friends of Radio One Award from media giant Radio One. It was presented during Radio One's 25th anniversary...

Buena Vista Unites.(Beuna Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment formed merging Beuna Vista Home Entertainment and Beuna Vista Home Entertainment International)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... BUENA VISTA UNITES: Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment International have integrated into one global division--Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment. Among those on the new global team are: Patrick Fitzgerald,...

Nooyi to take reins at PepsiCo.(SPOTLIGHT)(Indra Nooyi)
September 4, 2006... PURCHASE, N.Y. -- PepsiCo Inc. has named Indra Nooyi, its president and chief financial officer, to succeed Steve Reinemund as chief executive officer on October 1. Reinemund will retain the title of chairman until May 2007. Nooyi is widely...

Spartan names Jones exec VP.(PEOPLE)( Spartan Stores Inc. appointed Derek Jones )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores Inc. has named Derek Jones executive vice president of supply chain. Jones comes to Spartan from Unisource Worldwide Inc., a marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business-imaging papers...

Long gets CEO post at Miller.(Miller Brewing Co. appointed Randy Ransom and promoted Tom Cardella)(Tom Long is the president)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... MILWAUKEE -- Miller Brewing Co. has made a number of executive appointments. Tom Long has been named president and chief executive officer, succeeding Norman Adami, who has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of...

Family Dollar tabs McGinnis VP.(Colin McGinnis becomes the vice president of Family Dollar Stores Inc. )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores Inc. has named Colin McGinnis vice president of store operations support. McGinnis joined Family Dollar in August 2004 as regional vice president of process improvement, store operations. He was...

Ingersoll joins ShopKo as senior VP.(ShopKo Stores Inc. appointed Jack Ingersoll )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. has named Jack Ingersoll senior vice president of merchandise support, in charge of financial planning, assortment and space planning, allocation and replenishment, inventory management, and pricing. ...

Giant to buy stores.(Giant Food Stores LLC acquired Clemens Markets Inc.)(Brief article)
September 18, 2006... GIANT TO BUY STORES: Ahold NV has announced that its Giant Food Stores LLC unit has reached an agreement to buy 14 suburban Philadelphia stores from Clemens Markets Inc. Plans call for 13 units to be converted to Giant Food stores and one to be...

Favorite grocer list.(Brief article)
September 18, 2006... FAVORITE GROCER LIST: Grocery shoppers are generally happy with the supermarket they use most often, according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports. Even so, closed checkouts, congested aisles and out-of-stock specials irk some. The top five...

New bank branches.(JP Morgan Chase and Co.)(Brief article)
September 18, 2006... NEW BANK BRANCHES: Chase & Co. will open a dozen Michigan bank branches in Meijer Inc. and Kroger Co. stores by year-end. Chase plans in-store branches in eight Meijer stores in the state's Iower peninsula and four Kroger outlets in Oakland and...

Soothing fee woes.(Mastercard International to cap fees)(Brief article)
September 18, 2006... SOOTHING FEE WOES: In a bid to soothe unhappy merchants nationwide MasterCard International has said that it will soon post its interchange fee schedule on its web site and cap the fees it charges on fuel purchases. Such fees are paid by...

Grocer eyes Florida.(Aldi planning to expand)(Brief article)
September 18, 2006... GROCER EYES FLORIDA: Aldi, a no-frills grocery chain that competes with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on price, has indicated that it plans to expand in Florida and open 20 stores in the Orlando market.

Slowdown threat looms.(Dollar General Corp. and Costco Wholesale Corp. earnings forecasts )
September 18, 2006... NEW YORK -- Recent earnings forecasts from Dollar General Corp. and Costco Wholesale Corp. suggest that high gasoline prices and weakness in the housing market may be taking their toll on consumer spending. Dollar General posted a 40% drop in...