KROGER CO., Cincinnati, inked a 50-month contract covering more than 9,000 retail clerks and meat cutters at 80 stores in Michigan, a spokesman told SN. Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 876 and 539 ratified the pact last week. The agreement expires March 2001 and replaces one scheduled to expire Jan. 4.
SEAWAY FOOD TOWN, Maumee, Ohio, projects capital expenditures of about $20 million for fiscal 1997, which would be up from the $15 million spent this year, according to the 43-unit supermarket chain's annual report. Seaway said the funds would be used for new store construction and expansions within its existing trade area.
HARVEST FOODS, Little Rock, Ark., has postponed until January a decision on whether or not to outsource its trucking operations while it continues to negotiate with Teamsters Local 858, Ron Heath, assistant business manager for the local, told SN last week. Heath said the company and the union are continuing to meet often to try to find ways for Harvest to cut warehouse costs by $1.1 million as part of a restructuring effort to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
FAMILY FARE SUPER MARKETS,
Hudsonville, Mich., will buy four stores from Daane's Food Markets, Grandville, Mich. The stores are located in Plainfield Township, Grandville, Cascade and Kentwood, Mich. The deal, expected to close early next year, will give Family Fare 15 supermarkets in West Michigan. The company plans to open its 16th store in Grand Haven, Mich., next year.
CARREFOUR, Paris, increased its stake in GMB to 41.1% from 33.3%. GMB is the parent company of the Cora group, which comprises several chains of supermarkets, primarily in northern France.
THE ASSOCIATION OF RETAIL MARKETING SERVICES will hold its A.R.M.S. Retail Promotion Show Jan. 10 to 13 at the Ramada Congress Hotel in Chicago.
