The Food Institute Report articles from July 2005

The Food Institute Report archives from July 2005

Non-traditional formats expected to consume more of traditional grocery's market share.
July 4, 2005... Between 1999 and 2004, the percentage of households shopping at supermarkets weekly fell from 56% to 46%, while alternative formats, namely supercenters, drug stores, small-format value retailers, warehouse clubs, and convenience stores, all...

Wrigley acquires Kraft brands; plant closures among changes.(Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Kraft Foods Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Cincinnati-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company has completed its acquisition of Life Savers and Altoids from Kraft Foods Inc. for $1.46 billion cash. Several other candy brands are part of the purchase, including Creme Savers, Sugus candies and some...

A&P hands off U.S. distribution OPS and some facilities.(Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company Inc., operations)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Looking to save some $40 million annually, THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. will transfer its U.S. distribution operations and some warehouse facilities and related assets to C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS, confirming earlier reports (see...

Hain Celestial phasing out SKUs to make room for new and better ones.(stock keeping unit)
July 4, 2005... The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. identified approximately 500 SKUs, with approximate annual sales of $15 million, that will be discontinued in the final implementation of its previously announced Stock Keeping Unit rationalization program. "The...

Del Monte to trim SKUs by 20%.(Del Monte Foods Co., stock keeping units)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Del Monte Foods Company is launching a U.S. focused, brand-driven strategic plan that includes a brand-focused product portfolio, streamlined cost and asset base, innovation and brand driven growth. Specifically, it will reduce its SKUs by 20%...

ConAgra continues paring down SKUs.(ConAgra Foods Inc., stock keeping units)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... As of the close of its fiscal year ended May 29, 2005, ConAgra Foods Inc. has removed several thousand low-volume SKUs and is continuing to reduce SKUs at a low double-digit percentage pace annually over the next two fiscal years, as part of...

General Mills will try to win back customers with new items.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Following a 5% drop in U.S. cereal sales after it raised prices and drove shoppers to supermarket brands and competitors, General Mills will introduce 89 new items, including Yogurt Burst Cheerios, three new flavors of Total cereal, Chocolate...

Frozen food retail stores on the way from specialty food importer.(White Toque Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WHITE TOQUE, INC., an importer of frozen specialty foods from Europe for the foodservice industry, plans to establish a network of freestanding frozen food retail stores and distribution centers throughout the country, starting with the...

Noticing an in-store ad leads to purchase of advertised brand.
July 4, 2005... In-store ads are more likely to remind consumers to purchase a product that they normally buy than to motivate a trial of a new product. However, over one third of grocery store shoppers say that in-store ads influence them to purchase a new...

Winn-Dixie.(Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. awaits authorization to sell its stores)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WINN-DIXIE is seeking Bankruptcy Court authorization to sell a total of 79 stores to 20 potential buyers, all of whom intend to operate these stores on an ongoing basis. These agreements are preliminary and subject to higher and better offers...

Triarc Companies, Inc. said that it is continuing to explore a corporate restructuring that would separate its non-restaurant operations (primarily its ownership interest in its alternative asset management business.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
July 4, 2005... TRIARC COMPANIES, INC. said that it is continuing to explore a corporate restructuring that would separate its non-restaurant operations (primarily its ownership interest in its alternative asset management business, DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC)...

Pro & Sons Ranch Market.(openS its latest Hispanic specialty prototype in Phoenix, Arizona)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... PRO & SONS RANCH MARKET, Ontario, CA, opened its latest Hispanic specialty prototype in Phoenix, AZ, a 103,140-sq. ft. Phoenix Ranch Market. It includes a 5,500-sq. ft. scratch bakery and homemade tortilla center featuring hot bread and...

Mars, Inc., McLean, VA, formed a new business unit--Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being--to develop and launch new foods.(Virginia)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... MARS, INC., McLean, VA, formed a new business unit-MARS NUTRITION FOR HEALTH & WELL-BEING-to develop and launch new foods, snacks, beverages and lifestyle support to better serve the nutritional and well-being needs of the consumer.

Sprouts Farmers Market.(plans new stores)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET is embarking on an aggressive expansion plan for Arizona and Texas in the next five years. The- 13 unit natural foods chain plans to open its first Texas store on July 13, with a second location to follow mid-November....

H.E. Butt Grocery Co.(launches organic product line)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... H.E. BUTT GROCERY CO. is launching a "Central Market Organic and All-Natural" product line, which will be sold at HEB and Central Market stores throughout Texas. The line includes 28 categories and more than 85 individual organic or all-natural...

Chick-fil-A.(introduces gourmet coffee line, Cafe Blends Coffee and breakfast item, Chick-fil-A Cinnamon Cluster)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... CHICK-FIL-A, Atlanta, introduced its first gourmet coffee line, Cafe Blends Coffee and a new breakfast item, Chick-fil-A Cinnamon Cluster.

Burger King Corp., Miami, opened its first Chinese outlet in Shanghai.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... BURGER KING CORP., Miami, opened its first Chinese outlet in Shanghai. Along with menu offerings such as the Whopper, the outlet will sell items customized to Chinese tastes, including a hamburger seasoned with the spicy mala sauce of...

By the end of the year, a dozen Super G locations in South Jersey will become Stop & Shop stores as part of a reorganization by Royal Dutch Ahold N.V.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... By the end of the year, a dozen SUPER G locations in South Jersey will become STOP & SHOP stores as part of a reorganization by ROYAL DUTCH AHOLD N.V., the parent of the Super G and Stop & Shop chains... The Philadelphia Inquirer

IHL Consulting Group.(survey finds food retailers planning to install self-checkout systems)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Thirty-one percent of food retailers surveyed planned to install self-checkout systems in 2005 and a total of 50% plan to do so by June 2006, according to a study by IHL CONSULTING GROUP, Franklin, TN.

Home Depot.(to start testing convenience stores)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... HOME DEPOT will begin testing convenience stores in the parking lots of four Nashville Home Depots this December. Stores will sell gasoline, milk, chips, beer and other c-store items. Two of the stores will also have car wash service... The...

Natural Marketing Institute.(sales up in organic products)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Retailers saw significant sales hikes in organic products as a result of participating in the April 2005 "Go Organic! for Earth Day" campaign, according to data released by the NATURAL MARKETING INSTITUTE. Sales data from participating grocery...

Western Sizzlin Corp.(plans a fast-casual steak food concept)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Family steakhouse operator WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP. is eyeing the development of a fast-casual steak concept. The Roanoke, VA-based chain said it will open a new prototype that will be smaller and feature an abbreviated menu. It will aim for a $10...

Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc.(initial public offering)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE INC., Metairie, LA, set the terms for an initial public offering of stock worth as much as $194.3 million. The restaurant company will offer up to 11.43 million shares at $15 to $17 apiece, according to a regulatory...

Consumer awareness of RFID climbed from just 28.2% in September 2004 to 43.6% in June 2005, according to the fourth wave of the RFID Consumer Buzz study among 8,400 adults.(radio frequency identification)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... * Consumer awareness of RFID climbed from just 28.2% in September 2004 to 43.6% in June 2005, according to the fourth wave of the RFID Consumer Buzz study among 8,400 adults. This represents only a modest gain from March 2005, which suggests...

EU antitrust regulators gave a conditional green light to Pernod Ricard S.A.'s $14.2 billion takeover of larger British rival Allied Domecq Plc.(European Union)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... EU antitrust regulators gave a conditional green light to PERNOD RICARD S.A.'S $14.2 billion takeover of larger British rival ALLIED DOMECQ PLC. The EU head office demanded Pernod agree to sell several more of its brands to get full EU approval...

Late last week, the Federal Trade Commission granted Fortune Brands Inc. early termination of the waiting period for the review of the acquisition of several of Allied Domecq spirits and wine brands, which are being sold off as part of the takeover by Pernod Ricard.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
July 4, 2005... Late last week, the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION granted FORTUNE BRANDS INC. early termination of the waiting period for the review of the acquisition of several of ALLIED DOMECQ spirits and wine brands, which are being sold off as part of the...

Starbucks Corp. gave away free ice cream at more than 6,000 of its U.S. coffee shops on June 29.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... STARBUCKS CORP. gave away free ice cream at more than 6,000 of its U.S. coffee shops on June 29. The company is trying to generate interest in the Starbucks brand of ice cream, which it has been selling in grocery stores since 1995 as part of a...

Coca-Cola Company is in preliminary talks with Lake Success, NY-based Arizona Beverages about a deal, which could end up as either an outright acquisition or a distribution deal.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... COCA-COLA COMPANY is in preliminary talks with Lake Success, NY-based ARIZONA BEVERAGES about a deal, which could end up as either an outright acquisition or a distribution deal. In addition to its discussions with Arizona, Coke is considering...

The leading producers of chewing gum from around the world launched the International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA).(Stefan Pfander appointed as its first president)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The leading producers of chewing gum from around the world launched the INTERNATIONAL CHEWING GUM ASSOCIATION (ICGA). Stefan Pfander, vice president of the WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY, has been elected first president of the ICGA.

Interstate Brands.(to introduce "White Bread Fans 100% Whole Grain")(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Wonder Bread, the nation's No. 1 bread brand, will introduce "White Bread Fans 100% Whole Grain," a 100% whole-wheat loaf, in July, aimed at mothers who are concerned with children's nutrition. It still has the taste and texture of white bread...

Schuster Marketing.(introduces caffeinated Blitz Energy Gum)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... SCHUSTER MARKETING unveiled caffeinated Blitz Energy Gum, aimed at people who want to stay awake without using caffeinated drinks, competing against Jolt Caffeine Energy Gum. Schuster, maker of Blitz Power Mints, hopes to revitalize its gum...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(plans operations in Russia, Poland, Hungary and India)
July 4, 2005... WAL-MART STORES INC. wants to expand in central and eastern Europe, its chief executive Lee Scott said in an interview published in Britain's Financial Times. Mr. Scott also said Russia, Poland and Hungary would be attractive at some stage in...

General Mills, Inc.
July 4, 2005... Yoplait Go-GURT Smoothies are now available nationally, following a successful introduction in 19 states earlier this year, reported GENERAL MILLS, INC.

Anheuser-Busch.(Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. to double its capacity and to debut a new version of Budweiser Select)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... ANHEUSER-BUSCH will double its capacity for aluminum bottle packaging by the fall and will debut a silver metal bottle version of Budweiser Select in some markets starting next month-the sixth brand to roll out in the unique package. The brewer...

Pazzaz LLC plans to open up to 12 Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza stores in the next 3 1/2 years in the Toledo, OH area.(Ohio)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... PAZZAZ LLC plans to open up to 12 PAPA MURPHY'S TAKE 'N' BAKE PIZZA stores in the next 3 1/2 years in the Toledo, OH area. Vancouver, WA-based Papa Murphy's has more than 850 stores, including about 20 in Wal-Marts, and plans to open more than...

Behavior Research Center.(Latino spending on the rise)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Latino spending has gone from $504 billion in 2000 to a projected $778 billion projected this year, according to Earl de Berge, principal of Phoenix-based BEHAVIOR RESEARCH CENTER. The research firm reports the Top 10 markets and what's...

Mergers & acquisitions.(food industry)
July 4, 2005... CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC., Cincinnati, has completed its acquisition of the FRESH EXPRESS unit of PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP. Fresh Express, which will remain based in Salinas, CA, is the retail market leader of value-added packaged...

Latest financial reports.(food services)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) Current % Change Year Year Ago 99 CENTS ONLY STORES (CITY OF COMMERCE, CA) Year To Dec. 31: Sales $972,173 ...

Institute of Food Research.(kukoamines in potatoes lower blood pressure)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Potatoes may be healthier to eat than previously thought, after scientists found them to contain chemicals which lower blood pressure. The independent INSTITUTE OF FOOD RESEARCH says the chemicals, called kukoamines, occurred naturally in many...

FDA.(no link with green tea usage and risk of breast or prostate cancer)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Based on several studies, FDA has concluded that it is highly unlikely that green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer or prostate cancer. FDA also concluded that existing evidence does not support qualified health claims for green tea...

USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.(Department of Agriculture research finds almonds as anti-aging agent)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Almonds may help fight the signs of aging, according to researchers at the USDA HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER ON AGING. The almond skins contain high levels of antioxidants called flavonoids that work in the body protecting cells from damage....

G. Willi-Food International moves closer to acquiring leading U.S. ethnic food distributor.(Vitarroz Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... G. Willi-Food International Ltd., one of Israel's leading distributors of kosher food products, announced that a wholly- owned subsidiary of the company reached definitive agreements regarding the acquisition of VITARROZ CORP., Jersey City,...

Mild impact to mad cow in Texas.(United States's beef industry has an impact of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The Texas cow that was confirmed to have mad cow disease was born 12 years ago, well before feed limits were imposed to prevent the spread of the disease. (See FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT, June 24, for earlier story) The cow was slaughtered at a pet...

Concern voiced over organic court ruling.(District Court )(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Some organic farmers are concerned about a recent ruling that finalized a court ruling that bans synthetic ingredients in products labeled organic, contending it will slow down the rapidly growing industry. Consumer groups, however, say the...

Advocacy group alleges false advertising for milk.(WASHINGTON)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Lawsuits alleging false advertising for claiming that milk helps in weight loss were filed in Virginia by the PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE (PCRM). One of the suits is intended as a class action against the industry to stop the...

ISO standard for food safety slated for September.(WASHINGTON)(The International Organisation For Standardisation)
July 4, 2005... September 2005 is THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION'S (ISO's) publication target for ISO 22000, the new standard for food safety management systems, which is intended to ensure that there are no weak links in food supply...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)(Seafarers Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... SEAFARERS INC., Miami, FL received a warning letter from FDA following a Feb. 9 inspection at its facility to determine the firm's compliance with FDA's seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. Serious deviations...

Verification process key to reducing unauthorized workers.(WASHINGTON)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Efforts to reduce the employment of unauthorized workers in the U.S. require a strong employment eligibility verification process and a credible worksite enforcement program to ensure that employers meet verification requirements according to a...

Italian pasta.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... ITALIAN PASTA: ITA's final antidumping rule on Italian pasta found only Pastificio Corticella S.p.A./Pastificio Combattenti S.p.A merited a duty, 0.06%. Contact Brandon Farlander or Marc Rivitz, AD/CVD Operations, 202-482-0182 and 202-482-1382....

U.S. fisheries.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... U.S. FISHERIES: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusted the quarterly commercial quota allocation for Loligo squid in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Contact Eric Dolin, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9259, fax 978-281-9135. June 28...

Mexican fruit fly.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... MEXICAN FRUIT FLY: USDA's final Mexican fruit fly regulations bring shipping requirements more in line with other fruit fly rules. Among changes is removal of a provision moving items interstate without a certificate or limited permit from a...

Milled rice standards.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... MILLED RICE STANDARDS: Corrections and clarifications to new standards for milled rice were released by USDA. Contact Vicki Lacefield, Vicki.A.Lacefield@usda.gov, 202-720-0252 June 29 FR70 37254-37255

Ruminant feed ban.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... RUMINANT FEED BAN: FDA announced support programs (funding) through State, territory and tribal governments related to the ruminant feed ban to prevent BSE. Contact Steve Toigo, Division of Federal-State Relations, 301-827-6906,...

You should know.
July 4, 2005... ... .Although the Senate voted 54 to 45 to approve the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the House of Representatives still must grapple with CAFTA where a difficult fight is predicted. ... .COOL (country of origin labeling) for meat is...

Produce.(MARKETS)
July 4, 2005... ASSESSMENT RATES--An interim USDA rule decreased the assessment rate for Washington apricots from $2.50 to $1.00 per ton of fresh apricots handled. Comments due Aug. 26. Contact the Marketing Order Administration Branch: George Kelhart,...

Canned vegetables.(exports)
July 4, 2005... ASPARAGUS--frost and mid- to late-season heat and dryness has led to the worst Michigan asparagus crop in over 20 years. To make matters worse, Michigan farmers who produce asparagus for the frozen and canned markets are receiving prices that...

Tomato products.(exports)
July 4, 2005... The California tomato crop is running 1-2 weeks behind schedule due to the extensively rainy spring. Processors are concerned about the quality of the early plantings. USDA HAS PURCHASED TOMATO PRODUCTS *Shipments between Aug....

Frozen vegetables.(imports)
July 4, 2005... GREEN BEANS--In Oregon the green bean crop is growing slowly and has not needed irrigation this season. FROZEN GREEN BEAN COLD STORAGE STOCKS--JUNE 1 (Source: USDA) MILLION POUNDS Regular Cut French Cut...

Canned fruits.(export prices)
July 4, 2005... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF CANNED FRUIT JAN. 1-MAY 1, 2005 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds Dollars (1,000) % Chge. ($1,000) % Chge. Olives 2,371 ...

Processed fish.(imports)
July 4, 2005... CORRECTION ON TUNA--Prices quoted in previous reports were f.o.b. Thailand and did not take into consideration the 12.5% duty, shipping costs, etc. Raw supplies are tight on all species of tuna. This has resulted in firmer imported prices....

Dried vegetables.(imports)
July 4, 2005... KANSAS CITY COMMODITY OFFER *Shipments Between Aug. 6-27, 2005* Metric Tons Product Destination Pack Size Quantity Lentils Cotonou 50 K 130 ...

Dried fruit & nuts.(imports)
July 4, 2005... USDA HAS PURCHASED DRIED CHERRIES *Shipments between Sept. 16-Sept. 30, 2005* Cases Total Cost Dried Cherries, 4/4 lb. 7,392 $503,451 Atwater Foods, LLC ...

Frozen fruit.(imports)
July 4, 2005... U.S. IMPORTS OF SELECTED FROZEN FRUITS, JAN. 1-MAY 1, 2005 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds Dollars (1,000) % Chge. ($1,000) % Chge. Strawberries ...

Juices and concentrates.(imports and production)
July 4, 2005... SELECTED TROPICAL IMPORTS JAN. 1-MAY 1, 2005 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds Dollars (1,000) % Chge. ($1,000) % Chge. Banana Pulp 17,953 3.7%...

Butter.(prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... BUTTER MARKET, JULY 1 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 7/1/2005 6/24/2005 Chge. Grade AA 1.6850 1.6500 +.0350

Cheese.(prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JUNE 24 Cents Per Pound: 7/1/2005 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.51 +.0525 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.55 +.0400

Eggs.(prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS JULY 1 (Source: USDA) Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Chng. Cents per dozen: 1-Jul 24-Jun Extra Large-NY 64-68 62-66 +2 Large-NY 62-66 ...

Chicken.(prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JULY 4 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 65-68 65-68 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los...

Futures prices.(food prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash July Sept. As of July 1, 2005: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $1.96 $2.12 $2.22 Soybeans, bu....

Commodity prices.(food prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last July 1 June...

Understanding the consumer should drive category management.(survey of manufacturers and retailers)
July 11, 2005... Although both manufacturers and retailers continue to rate category management as "critically important," they are using the traditional tools of category management less often. Assortment planner, promotional planning, shelf management,...

Kroger seeking buyers for 20 Northern California stores?(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Cincinnati, OH-based Kroger is reportedly looking for buyers for 20 of its 48 Northern California stores, and an additional five are reportedly set to close due to short-term leases, according to Supermarket News (July 8). Kroger officials did...

New private label products will be rolled out at Lunds, Byerly's.
July 11, 2005... To convince shoppers that its stores can be price-competitive, LUND FOOD HOLDINGS INC. is introducing a three-tiered, private label program--ranging from premium- to value-priced--for all Lunds and Byerly's stores. The new program will be more...

IKEA coming out with its own food line.(IKEA International A/S)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... The Swedish furniture giant will be following the trend for diversification among retailers when it unveils its first private label food items next year. With this new effort, IKEA will attempt to appeal to Britons and homesick Swedes,...

Dairy Queen tests concept that offers just the treats.(International Dairy Queen Inc. to launch DQ TreatWorks stores)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... INTERNATIONAL DAIRY QUEEN INC. (IDQ) is testing a "treats only" concept called DQ TreatWorks in a few locations. The first two stores are set to open in July, one in Pennsylvania and the other in Mexico. A few more locations are in the works....

Retailers and manufacturers a source for educational info.(information, food marketing survey)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Food retailers and manufacturers are increasingly becoming trusted advisors on nutrition, health and cooking information to today's consumers, according to a study by FIND/SVP. Some 78% of those surveyed would trust nutritional advice from a...

Pros and cons of scaled down versions of premium products.(brand names )(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... As more retailers are picking up on the private label trend, big name manufacturers are also taking note, with some rolling out less expensive versions of their name brands. For example, PROCTER & GAMBLE'S Charmin offers Charmin Basic, Bounty...

The Coca-Cola company.(low-calorie version of Powerade launched)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, Atlanta, GA, is presently launching a low-calorie version of Powerade to challenge Gatorade and Propel. Powerade Option, the new low-calorie, low-carbohydrate sports drink, will be available in strawberry, black cherry...

Big Red Ltd.(new beverage launched)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... BIG RED LTD., Waco, TX, is rolling out a new beverage, Big Red Float. The new flavor, expanding on its Big Red soft drink, is described as tasting like Big Red poured over vanilla ice cream. Big Red Float has a higher vanilla content than...

Fuze Beverage LLC.(Diet Orange Ginger Green Tea added to offerings)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... FUZE BEVERAGE LLC, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, is adding Diet Orange Ginger Green Tea to its line of healthy "infused" teas. The latest flavor is touted as a no calorie, no carb beverage that is fueled with a powerful antioxidant capacity equal to...

In a break from recent practice, COCA-COLA has dispensed with national prize promotions in the U.S. market in favor of eye-opening coupon offers.(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... In a break from recent practice, COCA-COLA has dispensed with national prize promotions in the U.S. market in favor of eye-opening coupon offers. The common deal is for four 12-packs of Coke products at $10, plus a $5 mail-in rebate. KROGER has...

Latest financial reports.(company sales reports)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 11, 2005... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) Current % Change Year Year ALCOA, INC. (PITTSBURGH, PA) Qtr. To June 30: Sales $6,763,000 13.0% Net Income...

Operators look for ways to speed up service at the drive-thru.
July 11, 2005... Nearly nine out of ten households purchased food at drive-thrus in the past year, with customers visiting an average 3.5 times in the past month, according to Restaurants & Institutions 2005 Consumer Drive-Thru Survey. Drive-thru service...

Allied Domecq Plc shareholders voted, on July 4, to accept a $13 billion takeover proposal from French rival Pernod Ricard SA, paving the way for one of the world's biggest deals in the spirits sector.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... ALLIED DOMECQ PLC shareholders voted, on July 4, to accept a $13 billion takeover proposal from French rival PERNOD RICARD SA, paving the way for one of the world's biggest deals in the spirits sector. The merged company would be the world's...