Supermarket News

Federal Law on Card Security Is Coming: FMI Speaker

May 13, 2010, By MICHAEL GARRY

LAS VEGAS — With three states — Minnesota, Nevada and Washington — already having passed laws requiring retailers to be compliant with PCI (payment card industry) data security standards, expect a card data security law to be passed by the federal government, said Heather Mark, senior vice president, market strategy, Propay, a payment card processor....

Kroger, Dallas Workers Reach Tentative Deal

May 13, 2010

DALLAS — Kroger has reached a tentative agreement on an new contract with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000, covering 8,000 employees at 87 Dallas-area stores, the retailer said Thursday....

Newflower Closing in Plano

May 13, 2010

BOULDER, Colo. — Sunflower Markets will close its Newflower Market store in West Plano, Texas, next month, reports said Thursday...

Spartan Q4 Comps Down 6.9%

May 13, 2010, By MARK HAMSTRA

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores here Thursday said comparable-store sales fell 6.9% in the fourth quarter amid deflation, economic pressures and competitive activity....

Safeway Opens Graduation Hotline

May 13, 2010

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway here is operating a telephone hotline for graduation party orders....

Whole Foods Promotes Robb, Gallo as Q2 Results Soar

May 13, 2010, By ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market here said Wednesday it has named Walter Robb co-chief executive officer and A.C. Gallo as president and chief operating officer — moves John Mackey, co-CEO and co-founder of the chain said do not mean he plans to slow down. ...

Bi-Lo Emerges From Chapter 11

May 13, 2010, By ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bi-Lo said Thursday it has successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ...

Finalist Products Named in SIAL D'Or Competition

May 13, 2010, By MARK HAMSTRA

PARIS — An international jury of trade journalists from around the world this week selected nine of the most innovative and successful new-product introductions of 2009 from a field of more than 250 products....

Supplier Diversity Program Fuels Ahold USA’s Performance

May 12, 2010

LAS VEGAS — Ahold USA’s supplier diversity program is helping the company meet its financial goals and benefiting efforts in certain categories, according to James Sturgis, Jr., director, Supplier Diversity, Ahold USA....

Ralphs, Kroger Accused of Weight Violations in L.A.

May 12, 2010, By ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

LOS ANGELES — The criminal branch of the City Attorney's office here filed a multi-count criminal complaint Wednesday against Ralphs Grocery Co. and its corporate parent, the Kroger Co., alleging they were overcharging customers on prepackaged and weighed products....

Russ’s Market, Brookshire, Kroger Store Managers Win FMI's Grand Prize

May 12, 2010, By CHRISTINA VEIDERS

LAS VEGAS — Food Marketing Institute announced the winners of its 11th annual Store Manager Awards Competition Wednesday morning at the FMI 2010 Show....

Wal-Mart Plans Anti-Hunger Efforts

May 12, 2010, By ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores and the Walmart Foundation said Wednesday they would donate $2 billion in cash as part of a five-year initiative to help end hunger in the U.S....

Smart & Final to Host Denver Job Fair

May 12, 2010, By ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

LOS ANGELES — Smart & Final here said it will hold a job fair in Denver May 20-21 to staff the five SmartCo Foods stores it plans to open in the area in late June and July. ...

FMI Urges Passage of Interchange Fee Reform Measure

May 12, 2010

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Wednesday issued the following statement from Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer, on Amendment 3932 to the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 (S. 3217)....

Sobeys Launches FreshCo. Discount Stores

May 12, 2010

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Sobeys Inc. opened eight FreshCo. Discount stores here and in Brampton, Ontario, Wednesday....

Consumers to Dictate What They Want: FMI Speaker

May 12, 2010, By MICHAEL GARRY

LAS VEGAS — Retailers operate today in a “B2C” — business to consumer — world in which they try to predict what consumers want, but in the future successful retailers will adopt a “C2B” or a “C-tailing” view in which “consumers dictate the terms of their relationship with retailers,” said Michael Webster, vice president and general manager, retail and hospitality, NCR, Duluth, Ga....