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PEAPOD UNVEILS NEW MOBILE APP SKOKIE, Ill. - Internet grocer Peapod here last week released Peapod Mobile, a new application allowing customers to shop for groceries from their mobile phones. In a recent Peapod survey we learned that more than 63% of respondents sometimes or frequently forgot to buy something they really need by grocery shopping, Thomas Parkinson, chief technology officer for Peapod,

PEAPOD UNVEILS NEW MOBILE APP

SKOKIE, Ill. — Internet grocer Peapod here last week released Peapod Mobile, a new application allowing customers to shop for groceries from their mobile phones. “In a recent Peapod survey we learned that more than 63% of respondents sometimes or frequently forgot to buy something they really need by grocery shopping,” Thomas Parkinson, chief technology officer for Peapod, said in a statement. “With Peapod Mobile, customers can minimize that risk by adding items to their cart whenever or wherever they may think of them.”

UFCW SETS LOBLAW STRIKE DEADLINE

TORONTO — Four local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers union said they would strike Loblaw stores on Oct. 8 if they can't come to a new contract agreement with the retailer. The union said four days of contract negotiation with Loblaw produced “some progress on key issues” but no settlement in talks that have been under way since April. Further meetings between the union and Loblaw have been scheduled for the week of Sept. 27.

RETAIL CFOS SEE STAGNATION: SURVEY

CHICAGO — Most retail chief financial offers predict a continuation of stagnant economic conditions, according to a report last week from BDO USA, an accounting and consulting firm here. The survey found only 9% of retail CFOs expected an ongoing economic recovery, vs. 82% that said ongoing stagnation was more likely. Another 9% projected a “double-dip” recession. The majority (78%) of retail CFOs said economic improvement was most dependent upon lower unemployment or consistent improvement in consumer confidence and spending. A rebound in the housing market was cited by 10% as most important and a rebound in the U.S. and global financial markets was cited by 9%. Unemployment was cited by 76% as the economic issue having the greatest impact on consumer confidence for the balance of 2010, up from 64% in 2009.

SUPERVALU REALIGNS MERCHANDISING

MINNEAPOLISSupervalu here last week said it is restructuring jobs in its enterprise merchandising department. As a result, approximately 74 positions will be eliminated, and approximately 50 new positions will be created. Employees who hold positions that are being eliminated are encouraged to apply for these newly classified positions, according to a statement from the retailer. “This decision was made only after careful evaluation. By better aligning our resources with our business plans and thoughtfully allocating those resources across our enterprise merchandising department, we can proceed more efficiently and effectively within the current operating environment,” the company said in a statement.

SHOPPERS FOOD PAYS TO SETTLE SUIT

BALTIMORE — A federal judge here has agreed to defer prosecution of Shoppers Food & Pharmacy in connection with a bribery case against two of the retailer's former executives and a state senator. Supervalu, the Minneapolis-based parent of Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, must pay $2.5 million and cooperate with federal prosecutors in the case, which alleges the retailer paid almost $246,000 over six years to state Sen. Ulysses Currie, who according to an indictment used his official position to do favors for Shoppers including securing state funds to reduce rent at one store, sell liquor in another, and facilitate infrastructure improvements to help a third. Prosecutors said the actions directly benefited Shoppers and some former executives at the chain.