NEWS WATCH: SENATE VOTES TO BLOCK BEEF IMPORTS FROM CANADA... A&P SAID TO CONSIDER SALE OF CANADIAN STORES... BI-LO/BRUNO'S TO SHUTTER 29 STORES, OPEN PROTOTYPE...

SENATE VOTES TO BLOCK BEEF IMPORTS FROM CANADA

ted to overturn the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to resume imports of Canadian beef, dealing a blow to meat processors and the Bush administration. Imports of Canadian cattle, which were due to resume this week, had already been suspended on March 2 by a federal judge considering a complaint from R-CALF, the United Stockgrowers of America. That complaint claimed the USDA has not taken adequate precautions to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian cattle under the age of 30 months. R-CALF officials said they are worried about consumer safety because new cases of mad cow disease have turned up in Canada since the first case was discovered there in May 2003. That discovery led the United States to ban imports. Senators in several states have sided with U.S. ranching groups, such as R-Calf, but meat processors contend that the prolonged border closure has created hardships for their industry and led to plant closures and layoffs. The White House has said Bush will veto the Senate's measure if it ever reaches his desk.

A&P SAID TO CONSIDER SALE OF CANADIAN STORES

MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P here declined comment to SN on a published report that it may soon decide to sell its Canadian assets, but added that contrary to that report, the company's board of directors was not scheduled to meet to discuss strategies last week. According to the Toronto Globe and Mail, sources said A&P could reach a decision to divest its Canadian stores as early as last week. Analysts said such a decision would allow A&P to pay down debt and concentrate on U.S. operations. A&P's 237 Canadian stores account for around a third of A&P's annual sales of $10.8 billion.

BI-LO/BRUNO'S TO SHUTTER 29 STORES, OPEN PROTOTYPE

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Bi-Lo Holdings last week said it would close 29 stores this month as part of a plan to reduce costs, improve profitability and focus resources in core markets. Nine stores to be shuttered operate under the Bi-Lo and Food$mart banners in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia; 20 stores will close from the Bruno's division under the Food World, FoodMax and Bruno's banners in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. The closings include five of Bi-Lo's six Food$mart price-impact stores, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN. The chain had been operating the stores in older, relatively small former Bi-Lo sites that had been relocated. Separately, Bi-Lo is planning to open a new prototype store here Wednesday that will feature an expanded array of services and departments. The 61,000-square-foot Super Bi-Lo will include made-to-order sushi, dry-cleaning and a Starbucks with Internet access.

BROWN & COLE EXITS EIGHT WASHINGTON LOCATIONS

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Brown & Cole here said last week it plans to dispose of eight of its 31 stores and try to survive as a smaller company in the face of an escalating number of Wal-Mart supercenters in the Pacific Northwest. Craig Cole, president and chief executive officer, said the company expects to complete the sales by May. The eight stores, all in Washington state, encompass five Food Pavilions in Yakima, Pasco, Kennewick, Arlington and Arlington-Smokey Point; two Thrifty Foods in Burlington and Stanwood; and a Food Depot in Okanogan. Associated Grocers, the chain's Seattle-based wholesaler, owns a 25% stake in the retailer.

PUBLIX CELEBRATES 75TH BIRTHDAY WITH IN-STORE EVENTS

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix here last week held in-store events at all 850 of its locations commemorating its 75th anniversary. Publix stores were adorned with nostalgic signs and decor, and customers were invited to sample special Apron's meal recipes, a special Publix ice cream flavor (Premium Limited Edition Chantilly Jubilee) and anniversary cake. Publix also said it would place its 75th anniversary logo on truck trailers. Publix was founded by George Jenkins in Winter Haven, Fla., in 1930.