NEWS WATCH: WAL-MART ROLLS OUT NEW WAGE SCALE: REPORTS...IGA ENTERS COSTA RICA THROUGH MEGASUPER...NLRB FINDS MERIT IN CHARGES AGAINST TREASURE ISLAND 2004-06-07 (2)

WAL-MART ROLLS OUT NEW WAGE SCALE: REPORTS

ere is implementing a new wage policy for store-level employees that will enforce a more uniform schedule of pay for various classifications of workers at stores throughout the country, according to reports. The new system would place more central control over employee pay and leave less to the discretion of individual store managers, which the reports said was a possible reaction to the sexual discrimination lawsuit pending against the giant retailer. The new system would reportedly outline seven different classifications of workers at supercenters. Wal-Mart could not be reached for comment.

IGA ENTERS COSTA RICA THROUGH MEGASUPER

CHICAGO -- IGA here said last week it has accepted the second-largest chain in Costa Rica as a licensed IGA retailer. The company is Megasuper Corp., based in San Jose, whose 60 supermarkets account for $200 million annually, IGA said. The company operates a hypermarket format called Supermercados Megasuper and a conventional format called Mi Mercado Megasuper. Megasuper, founded in 1999, has grown primarily through acquisitions, adding Supermercados La Feria, a three-store operator, in 2001 and Consucoop, a 50-store operator with a distribution facility, in 2002. IGA's international division oversees approximately 2,000 stores in 45 countries, with Costa Rica as the 46th. IGA officials told SN they expect to add a retailer in Russia by the end of summer.

NLRB FINDS MERIT IN CHARGES AGAINST TREASURE ISLAND

CHICAGO -- A regional director of the National Labor Relations Board found merit to unfair labor practice allegations filed by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union against Treasure Island specialty grocery stores here, union officials said. UFCW Locals 881 and 1546 alleged that Treasure Island management made threats to close stores, engaged in a variety of anti-union activity, and blocked union representatives from their stores. The NLRB will file a complaint against Treasure Island unless charges are settled, the unions said. The UFCW earlier this year called for a boycott of Treasure Island, and has demonstrated outside its stores. Treasure Island officials were not immediately available for comment.

SAATCHI & SAATCHI ACQUIRES THOMPSONMURRAY

NEW YORK -- Advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi here last week said it had acquired ThompsonMurray, an ad agency specializing in in-store communications. ThompsonMurray will form the foundation for a new network, Saatchi & Saatchi X, which will provide in-store marketing solutions. In addition to integrating with the creative, strategic and planning activities of Saatchi & Saatchi, Saatchi & Saatchi X will seek to provide shopper marketing leadership and insights, environmental design, package design and product innovation. Andy Murray, current chief executive officer of ThompsonMurray, will become CEO of the Saatchi & Saatchi X network, reporting to Kevin Roberts, who will be chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi X. The network will be based in Springdale, Ark.

EXPO COMIDA LATINA TO EXPAND TO SAN ANTONIO

PORTLAND, Maine -- Expo Comida Latina said it will expand to a third city next year by scheduling a Hispanic-foods show April 24 and 25 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The event originated in Los Angeles in 2001. The Expo Comida Latina in Los Angeles is scheduled for Oct. 3 to 5, followed by the Expo in New York Oct. 26 to 27, which will join with the All Asia Food Expo and Kosherfest, two other ethnic food shows organized by Diversified Business Communications here.