COLORADO WORKERS VOTE ON OFFER
DENVER — Union grocery employees in Colorado late last week began voting on a “final offer” from employers Kroger Co. (King Soopers) and Safeway, saying they could strike if they don't approve a new deal. The workers have been without a contract since their latest extension expired earlier this month. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 here, which represents the workers, said the latest offer differs little from offers previously rejected twice by Safeway workers and once by King Soopers. The retailers have agreed to lock out workers if either chain is struck. Voting is scheduled through Oct. 6.
NASH FINCH, ROUNDY'S SETTLE LAWSUIT
MINNEAPOLIS — Nash Finch Co. last week said it agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Roundy's Supermarkets related to Nash Finch's 2005 acquisition of two Roundy's distribution centers. Under the terms of the settlement, Nash Finch, based here, and Roundy's Supermarkets, based in Milwaukee, agreed to dismiss their claims against each other, and neither company is required to make any payments to the other. “We are pleased to put this dispute behind us,” said Alec Covington, president and chief executive officer of Nash Finch. The two warehouses are located in Westville, Ind., and Lima, Ohio. Roundy's had sued seeking additional payment it said it was owed for the DCs, and Nash Finch had countersued claiming Roundy's had overstated the profits at the centers.
PA. TO SUPPORT SUPERMARKET GROWTH
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Four Philadelphia neighborhoods may be getting new supermarkets as a result of state loan guarantees announced by Gov. Edward Rendell here last week. According to a release, Fresh Grocer Holdings received a $2.5 million guarantee on a newly constructed supermarket at LaSalle University; a 90% guarantee for a $1.9 million loan for a store to be built at Temple University; and two $2.5 million guarantees for separate new supermarket projects in West Philadelphia.
NEGOTIATIONS TO RESUME IN ARIZONA
PHOENIX — Contract negotiations between area grocers and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 are scheduled to resume this week, the union here said. The current contract between UFCW Local 99 and employers, including Safeway, Fry's and Smiths, is scheduled to expire Oct. 2. The union in a statement said proposals by the employers thus far have been “unacceptable.”
A&P LAUNCHES ONLINE REWARDS CLUB
MONTVALE, N.J — A&P here last week said it has launched a new service offering club card holders from its various store banners the opportunity to earn grocery discounts by shopping at more than 1,000 online retailers. Shoppers who register for the A&P Rewards Online Mall, accessible through the websites of A&P's store banners, will receive 3% of their purchase price of items they buy through partner online retailers into an account good for reward certificates applicable to their grocery orders at A&P's stores.
NFL PLAYER IS WINN-DIXIE SPOKESMAN
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Maurice Jones-Drew, a running back for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, was introduced last week as a new official spokesman for Winn-Dixie Stores here. The retailer at an event last week said it would launch new “Fresh-Checked” television commercials and billboards in northern Florida and southern Georgia featuring Jones-Drew.
