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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Retail Careers Calling
Nearly two out of three schools polled say they expect to see fewer recruiters on campus this spring. Sixty percent of employers report planning to hire fewer graduates. Does the…
No Time for Lunch or Vacations
Many in business today are reducing time spent at lunch or on vacation as they try to keep up with the demands created by a smaller workforce and an increasingly…
Crunchy Conservatives
There’s a new subculture of consumers that eat organic food, do not watch television and consider themselves economic and social conservatives. They are the “crunchy cons”. Crunchy, as in granola,…
Fast Food, O’Natural
A new fast food restaurant concept, O’Naturals, combines organic and healthy menu items delivered at the speed of McDonald’s. Will a restaurant concept such as O’Naturals have mass consumer appeal…
Kroger Negotiates
Kroger is reportedly interested in buying Dominick’s from Safeway. Dominick’s has continued to lose customers, market share and money under Safeway ownership and some believe the chain can be had…
Sainsbury’s Goes Fishing
Sainsbury’s announced that, within seven years, it would only sell wild fish caught in “sustainable” fisheries. The Independent reports Sainsbury’s “commitment is significant in view of mounting alarm at the…
McDonald’s Makes Newman’s Its Own
In another move to recast its image, McDonald’s is rolling out a premium line of salads served with Newman’s Own dressings. McDonald’s move has some believing the company may be…
Walgreens Votes No on War Toys
Walgreens is pulling Easter baskets containing war toys and soldiers from its shelves, which “include troops in battle dress, assault rifles, planes, tanks and other toys, along with traditional candies.”…
Canadian Rx Service Sets Up Shop in US
American senior citizens will soon have access to lower-priced Canadian pharmaceuticals at prescription service offices opening in the US. By the end of the month, Best Canadian Prescription Service expects…
Ahold Uses Chains as Collateral for Loan
The nervousness of financial institutions has forced Ahold to put several company-owned chains, BI-LO, Giant Food and Stop & Shop, and Albert Heijn, up for collateral to secure a $2.91…
Fred’s February Fantastic
Fred’s has reported company sales including franchised locations increased 19% (company owned stores 20%) and comparable store performance was up 6.2% for February over last year’s results. What makes Fred’s…
The Sponge is Back
Canada has granted approval for the Today Sponge contraceptive to be sold in that country. The Associated Press reports that “sponges, priced at the U.S. equivalent of about $2.90 each,…
ACNielsen Releases Channel Blurring Results
ACNielsen released findings from its latest Channel Blurring study that show a continuing trend of consumers shifting shopping trips away from supermarkets to supercenters, dollar stores and warehouse clubs…
Coke’s Good Deed Does Not Go Unpunished
Coca-Cola Foundation’s $1 million grant to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has drawn criticism by health advocacy groups. The grant is to promote dental education and research. What…
Wanted: Club Seeks Women for Special Relationship
BJ’s Wholesale Club announced yesterday that it is seeking to capture a greater share of retail purchases made by women by concentrating its attention on those categories most attractive to…
Are Slotting Fees History?
The recent disclosure of accounting irregularities involving promotional monies paid to retailers such as Ahold may benefit the industry and consumers over the long run, say some industry observers. “This…
Service, What Service
A survey from Zagat says New York is “the best place in the world to shop” but it could be a lot better if sales people would just smile a…
Kroger Combines KMAs
Kroger has announced plans to combine its Michigan and Columbus, Ohio divisions in an effort “to reduce operating costs, improve administrative efficiencies, and invest additional capital in the core grocery…
Spartan Stores Names Sturken President and CEO
Spartan Stores has named Craig Sturken, president and chief executive officer to replace James Meyers who will continue to serve as the company’s chairman. What are your thoughts on Spartan’s…
H-E-B Grows and Grows
When rankings of the best-run supermarket operators in the US are committed to a list, the name of H-E-B usually appears at or near the top. The same may soon…
Hansen Resigns from Fleming
Fleming announced that Mark Hansen resigned as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer effective immediately. How will the Mr. Hansen’s time at Fleming be remembered? What type of leader…
