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NEWS WATCH: FMI ATTENDANCE INCREASES 55% FOR COMBINED SHOWS...SUPPLIER IN TALKS WITH SEC OVER FLEMING PAYMENTS...ROUNDY'S CLEARED IN CLAIM OF INSURANCE FRAUD

FMI ATTENDANCE INCREASES 55% FOR COMBINED SHOWSarketing Institute Show held earlier this month in Chicago totaled about 34,000, the association, based here, told SN last week. That figure, which includes attendees at the co-located shows, represents an increase of about 55% over last year's attendance, which was estimated to be about 22,000. Complete break-outs for each of the co-located shows were

FMI ATTENDANCE INCREASES 55% FOR COMBINED SHOWS

arketing Institute Show held earlier this month in Chicago totaled about 34,000, the association, based here, told SN last week. That figure, which includes attendees at the co-located shows, represents an increase of about 55% over last year's attendance, which was estimated to be about 22,000. Complete break-outs for each of the co-located shows were not immediately available. However, FMI said about 8,000 of the 34,000 attendees had pre-registered for the Fancy Food Show, and about 2,000 had pre-registered for All Things Organic. The remaining 24,000 attendees included pre-registrants for the other shows and all on-site registrants. Also, FMI said that beginning in 2006, it would incorporate a "private-label showcase" into the show in partnership with Stamford, Conn.-based Daymon Worldwide, the marketer of private-label products.

SUPPLIER IN TALKS WITH SEC OVER FLEMING PAYMENTS

DALLAS -- Dean Foods here said in its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week that it was in settlement talks with the SEC concerning payments made to Fleming Cos., also based here. Dean is among several suppliers being investigated by the SEC for helping Fleming inflate its revenues. The SEC alleges that Dean confirmed $2.7 million in payments to the former supermarket wholesaler as current income rather than deferred revenue. Dean said it does not expect the talks or a potential settlement to have a "material adverse impact."

ROUNDY'S CLEARED IN CLAIM OF INSURANCE FRAUD

MILWAUKEE -- Roundy's here said last week it has been cleared of allegations of insurance fraud that had been raised by a former employee. Ed Kitz, group vice president, legal, risk and treasury, said Roundy's had cooperated with the investigation by the insurance carrier and had received a letter clearing it of any wrongdoing. The request for the investigation came from a former employee, who suggested Roundy's may have committed fraud in allowing one of its vice presidents to retire on a disability in 2002.

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN RALPHS PRODUCT-TAMPERING PLOT

COMPTON, Calif. -- Federal authorities in Los Angeles arrested a British national and charged him with trying to extort $180,000 from Ralphs by threatening to put contaminated food products on the chain's shelves. David Ian Dickinson, 43, reportedly sent a package to Ralphs' headquarters here in February with jars of baby food that had been adulterated -- one with shards of glass, one with hydraulic fluid, and two with boric acid. Authorities pinpointed Dickinson as the suspect based on the post office from which the package was mailed and the $1 stamps he used. The FBI said no tainted products were ever placed on store shelves.

DEBT RATINGS AGENCY DOWNGRADES SAFEWAY OUTLOOK

NEW YORK -- Moody's Investors Service here said last week it was affirming its ratings for Safeway's $6.9 billion of debt instruments but changing the rating outlook from stable to negative. Moody's said the outlook change is based on its concerns that the Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket company could be challenged to improve profit margins and cash flow "to more appropriate levels" because of its heavy geographic concentration on the West Coast, where Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark., will be expanding, and its aggressive financial policies.