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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
The Skinny on Kraft’s Obesity Initiative
Kraft Foods announced yesterday it is taking steps to address obesity in the US and abroad. Kraft’s initiatives will eventually include: a cap on the portion size of single-serve…
Supervalu to Downsize Dominick’s
A piece by Jim Kirk in The Chicago Tribune reports Supervalu may be planning on shuttering 30 or more stores if it is successful in its bid to takeover Dominick’s…
Bashas’ Supplies IGA Stores
The Arizona Republic reports Bashas’ will supply groceries to 32 IGA stores in Arizona and New Mexico. The stores had been receiving supplies from Fleming. Bashas’, a 137 store chain,…
Wal-Mart’s Expands Policy to Protect Gay Rights
According to a report in The New York Times, Wal-Mart has expanded its corporate policy to protect homosexual employees from discrimination. Mona Williams, vice president for communications, Wal-Mart told the…
Consumers Don’t Want To Be Bothered
With more than 10 million phone numbers registered on www.donotcall.gov or called into (888) 382-1222, its clear most consumers don’t want to be bothered with telemarketing calls. Does the Do-Not-Call…
IDDBA Practices Customer Service 101
Considering the state of the convention business, it’s nearly astounding to read some of the statistics on the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) annual convention, recently held in Las Vegas. Compared…
Starbucks to Shakeup Beverage Lineup
Starbucks is introducing a new line of iced coffee, tea and tea lemonade drinks called ice shaken refreshments. The new drinks are created by shaking the ingredients poured into a…
Dean Foods Goes Organic
Dean Foods will soon be the top producer of organic milk, after its deal to acquire the remaining 87 percent of Horizon Organic is closed in the fourth quarter. The…
Is Supervalu Dominick’s New Owner
Crain’s Chicago Business, citing sources close to the situation, has reported Supervalu is the probable buyer of Dominick’s Finer Foods. Current owner, Safeway, “is expected to announce the prospective buyer…
C&S Wholesale to Acquire Fleming
C&S Wholesale Grocers of Brattleboro, Vt. is set to acquire Fleming’s wholesale operations after the parties announced they reached a tentative deal. Terms of the agreement have yet to be…
DOJ Wants More Info from Oracle
CNN/Money reported today that regulators at the Justice Department (DOJ) are seeking more information about Oracle’s hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft. DOJ’s request for additional information indicates regulators may…
A Buck Travels Far At The Dollar Store
An article in the Miami Herald asks the question, “What can a buck buy?” As the reporter and numerous consumers have found out, the answer is quite a lot if…
The Auction Economy
In a recent commentary, CBS Market Watch’s Bambi Francisco suggested “eBay is creating an economy of its own.” She points to not only the $20 billion handled through its…
Wal-Mart Tinkers
Wal-Mart is renowned for its customer focus and willingness to test new concepts its shoppers will appreciate, according to Reuters. Among Wal-Mart’s recent tests are its Kids Candy Connection…
Underhill Explains Why We Buy
Paco Underhill, best-selling author of “Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping”, spoke to a group of business executives in Charlotte, NC recently to discuss how retailers can use store…
Wal-Mart Targets Kohl’s
A poster on the wall at Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, AK says it all. “Who is taking our business? Kohl’s.” Lee Scott and company have identified the department/discount store hybrid…
Frank Curci Resigns
Frank Curci, chief executive of Tops Markets and Ahold’s choice to become chief operating officer at Giant Food, resigned from the company after taking responsibility for $29 million in accounting…
Are Cigarette Manufacturers Stifling Competition?
Philip Morris and RJR have ruffled feathers in the wholesale community in recent months by allegedly requiring distributors to achieve market share numbers for the manufacturer’s brands to gain discounts…
New Magazine Gets Wal-Mart’s OK
Right on the heels of its decision to ban and cover up a number of titles deemed too racy for its customers, Wal-Mart has approved a new wholesome family magazine…
Shopping Lists Only a Guide for the Young
The younger the consumer, the more likely they are to deviate from the shopping list and the more willing they are to experiment and try new things, according to a…
Krispy Kreme Opens New Market
Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Massachusetts, home state of Dunkin’ Donuts, yesterday to the usual fanfare associated with the doughnut store chain. John Glass, a restaurant analyst, believes…
