IGA EXTENDS REACH TO CHINA, SINGAPORE

CHICAGO -- A group of seven stores in China have converted to the IGA banner and a new IGA partnership has been established with a store group in Singapore. In China the stores have operated for the past two years in the southern city of Guangzhou under the name Your Ground Chain Store Co. But effective last month, all stores started using the IGA banner in combination with the previous name, yielding the name Your Ground IGA Stores. The effect of the name is roughly IGA Hometown Proud. Thomas S. Haggai, IGA chairman and chief executive officer, said it's hoped that 11 more stores will be converted before year's end in the Guangzhou area. The region's population is more than 7 million. Unlike most other Chinese stores, Your Ground IGA stores are using modern technology, including handheld electronic scanners, at a time many other stores use abacuses to calculate customer purchases. In another development, Haggai said IGA has become a partner with National Trade Union Congress Fairprice Cooperative, a 47-store chain in Singapore. Fairprice is to retain its current name, but will add IGA signs for in-store promotions. Fairprice is to be supplied by a distribution network being developed jointly by Davids Group, Sydney, Australia, and Fleming Cos., Oklahoma City.