NEWS WATCH 2001-09-17

Fresh Brands Opening Circular Store

here said last week it plans to open its second circular format store -- a 50,000-square-foot corporate Piggly Wiggly Supermarket in Kenosha, Wis. -- late in the summer. The company opened a prototype circular store here in August. Michael Houser, vice chairman, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Fresh Brands (formerly Schulz Sav-O Stores) said 90% of the walls and most of the soffits and ceilings will be gently curved, with each wall having a different radius and with display cases and shelving following the curvature of the walls. He also said the store will focus on fresh food departments, along with the center-store area.

Fleming Acquires C-Store Warehouse

DALLAS -- Fleming here said last week it has completed the acquisition of a convenience-store warehouse and other assets from Miller & Hartman South, a privately held convenience store distributor based in Lancaster, Pa. The $4 million acquisition includes the real estate, fixtures and equipment, plus the inventory, at the Leitchfield, Ky., facility. Fleming said the distribution center generates approximately $400 million in annual revenue and serves 1,000 customers in 1,800 locations across eight Southeastern states. The acquisition moves Fleming's convenience-store distribution into Kentucky and Tennessee and makes it the nation's fourth-largest, convenience-store distributor, the company said.

IGA to Sponsor Space Camp Scholarships

CHICAGO -- IGA USA here said last week it plans to co-sponsor a nationwide program to fund 1,800 scholarships worth over $3 million over a three-year period to send children of ages 9 to 12 to U.S. Space Camp. IGA said the scholarships will pay for 600 children a year to attend U.S. Space Camp in either Huntsville, Ala., or Titusville, Fla., for five days of intensive training in such areas as space technology, Space Shuttle operations and space station design. To qualify, children must submit an essay on the topic, "How could space exploration benefit your hometown?"