Awards

SAN DIEGO - A San Diego judge has reduced a $30 million punitive damages verdict in a sexual harassment case against Ralphs Grocery Co., opening the door to a third trial in the case.

NEW YORK - Coming in September, Progressive Grocer will profile the winners of our Best Buyer Awards honoring the industry's most innovative, enthusiastic, equitable, and knowledgeable retail and wholesale perishable category managers/buyers.

LONDON - Tesco's board of directors received a hefty 47 percent increase in compensation last year, led by a 53 percent rise in total pay for Sir Terry Leahy, the retailer's chief executive, The Financial Times reports.

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market will receive a Regional Excellence award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The WILD Foundation and the host sponsor Animal Planet for its 2001 "Fish for Our Future" educational awareness campaign.

SAN DIEGO - Six women who formerly worked for Ralphs Grocery Co. have been awarded $30.6 million in a sexual harassment suit, The Associated Press reports.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Fresh Brands' executive vice president Michael Houser and Wal-Mart's senior vice president of food merchandising John Westling will headline next week's inaugural SAMMY reception here.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Progressive Grocer magazine and General Merchandise Distributors Council (GMDC) will honor merchandising excellence in the General Merchandise categories with the second annual Pinnacle Awards.

NEW YORK - It's official: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the largest company in the nation and the world.