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GORE CANCELS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT FMI SHOW ARLINGTON, Va. Food Marketing Institute here said last week that former Vice President Al Gore had canceled the keynote speech he was scheduled to give May 6 for personal reasons. Gore, who recently won an Oscar for his documentary on global warming and is still considered to be a possible presidential candidate, was planning to speak on the issue of technology.

GORE CANCELS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT FMI SHOW

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute here said last week that former Vice President Al Gore had canceled the keynote speech he was scheduled to give May 6 “for personal reasons.” Gore, who recently won an Oscar for his documentary on global warming and is still considered to be a possible presidential candidate, was planning to speak on the issue of technology. FMI said Gore had been scheduled since last fall. Calls by SN to the agency that scheduled him, Harry Walker Associates, New York, were not returned last week. Scheduled to speak in Gore's place were business writers Marc Gunther of Fortune and Chip Heath of Fast Company.

LOW RISK SEEN FROM MELAMINE-FED CHICKENS

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said last week that about 30 broiler poultry farms in Indiana introduced chickens into the food supply that had eaten contaminated feed. The feed contained byproducts from pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten imported from China. Both agencies said they believe the risk from eating the meat of the birds is low, because little of the contaminant, melamine, is thought to accumulate in the tissues of animals that eat it. No recall was issued as of last Wednesday.

KROGER'S CEO DILLON EARNED $8.2 MILLION IN '06

CINCINNATI — A strong fiscal year for sales and earnings growth resulted in Kroger's top officers receiving 141.1% of their potential 2006 salaries in bonuses, the retailer here said in a public filing last week. Combined with stock, options and other compensation, David Dillon, chief executive officer, received around $8.2 million in pay in 2006, Kroger said in a proxy filing. Kroger's executive bonus plan in 2006 was 30% based on an identical-store sales target; 30% based on a target for EBITDA; 30% based on implementation and results under the strategic plan; and 10% based on the performance of new capital projects compared to budget.

PUBLIX REPORTS 10.1% GAIN IN Q1 PROFITS; COMPS UP 5.1%

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets here said last week that net income for its first quarter rose 10.1%, to $317.6 million, compared with results from the year-ago period. Sales for the first quarter were up 6.7%, to $5.9 billion, and comparable-store sales rose 5.1%. The company, which operates 902 stores in the Southeast, is owned by its employees but files earnings reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

WEIS POSTS Q1 PROFIT DECLINE ON HIGHER COSTS

SUNBURY, Pa. — Higher inventory losses, aggressive promotions and increased labor costs took a toll on the first-quarter earnings of Weis Markets here, the company said last week. Net income for the 13-week first quarter, which ended March 31, was down 10.3%, to $13.4 million, compared with year-ago results, despite a 4.4% increase in sales for the period, to $571.8 million. Same-store sales also rose 4.4% for the first quarter. The company said it was rolling out programs to improve operational efficiency, productivity and execution to better manage labor costs and inventory losses.

PATHMARK DEBUTS NEW PERISHABLES DESIGN

CARTERET, N.J. — Branded specialty departments and new color palettes and lighting highlight elements of Pathmark Stores' new prototype, unveiled last week at a remodeled location in Kinnelon, N.J. The design uses new lighting, new flooring and other design improvements to elevate fresh departments at the 55,400-square-foot store. Names of specialty departments — including Chelsea Bakery, 59th Street Delicatessen and Chesapeake Seafood — suggest authenticity and a connection to the tri-state area, reinforcing the chain's “Go Fresh, Go Local” slogan, Pathmark said. Colemanbrandworx, New York, designed the new store.

TAGS: Kroger