Independents / Regional Grocers

General-merchandise buyers voiced enthusiasm for continued growth in supermarkets' housewares business.The supermarket channel gained share points in retail sales in 1998, growing from 6.4% to 6.7% , according to the latest housewares figures compiled by the National Housewares Manufacturers Association, Rosemont, Ill., in its 1999 State of the Industry Report. During that period, sales rose 14% in

byJoel Elson