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NEWSWATCH

Winn-Dixie Stores reported a net loss of $5.5 million, or 10 cents per share, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 25, according to an annual report filed last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The figures slightly lower than those announced in preliminary results last month reflect the impact of taxes that were finalized

WINN-DIXIE ADJUSTS Q4 LOSS REPORT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores here reported a net loss of $5.5 million, or 10 cents per share, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 25, according to an annual report filed last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The figures — slightly lower than those announced in preliminary results last month — reflect the impact of taxes that were finalized for the 10-K report. Winn-Dixie confirmed sales of $5.5 billion as reported previously. Separately last week, Winn-Dixie stepped up emphasis on its “Good 'Til” program of extended price reductions in weekly sales fliers. As part of the program, the retailer will keep prices on more than 1,000 products discounted through Oct. 8.

SEC PENALIZES FLEMING EXECUTIVES

WASHINGTON — Three former executives of the former Fleming Cos. have agreed to pay civil penalties, without admitting or denying guilt, to settle complaints filed against them in 2005 by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complaints involved charges of securities fraud and other violations stemming from earnings overstatements in late 2001 and the first half of 2002 that were designed, the SEC said, “to create the illusion Fleming was financially strong and growing when, in fact, the company's earnings were suffering.” The settlements were made by Mark Shapiro, the wholesaler's chief accounting officer; Albert Abbood, a vice president in the wholesale procurement group; and James Thatcher, a vice president in the retail group.

WHOLE FOODS SEEKS NEW FTC JUDGE

WASHINGTON — Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas, has asked the Federal Trade Commission to select an administrative law judge to preside over the FTC's antitrust proceedings against the Whole Foods-Wild Oats merger who does not serve as a commissioner. FTC Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch is slated to preside over a Sept. 8 hearing to establish a schedule for the FTC's administrative proceedings against the deal, but an administrative law judge to oversee the proceedings that follow the Sept. 8 hearing has not yet been announced. Whole Foods reportedly is opposed to Rosch or any other commissioner serving as the administrative law judge in the case because the commissioners had opposed the merger, which was completed a year ago.

VONS ADJUSTS DOUBLE COUPON POLICY

LOS ANGELES — Vons here said last week it has stopped doubling coupon values beyond $1 in Southern California — just two months after Kroger-owned Ralphs did the same. Instead of doubling the total value of all manufacturer coupons, Vons, a division of Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif., said it will only double coupons with a value of 50 cents or less, as it has been doing; however, doubling of coupons from 50 cents to $1 will be capped at $1. All coupons worth more than $1 will be redeemed at their face value. The policy is identical to the one Ralphs introduced at the end of June.

WAL-MART, COUGHLIN SETTLE SUIT

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here agreed to settle its dispute with Tom Coughlin by paying the former executive chairman $6.75 million, the retailer said in a government filing. The settlement was reached on the day a jury trial was to commence over Wal-Mart's attempt to void retirement benefits for Coughlin, who pleaded guilty to tax evasion and wire fraud charges.