International Business

The Board of Directors of Philip Morris Companies Inc. on Wednesday announced that William H. Webb was elected to the position of Vice Chairman, Philip Morris Companies Inc., effective immediately.

UK Companies are turning their backs on .com domain names, according to a survey by thenational domain name registry, Nominet UK.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2001--Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Inc.: Houston, Texas)confirms that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT - news; Bentonville, Ar.) plans to open approximately 210 new discount storesand supercenters domestically in 2002.

Ahold, the international food retail and foodservice company, todayannounced its intention to appoint Dr. Cynthia P. Schneider, the former U.S. ambassador to The Netherlands, to its SupervisoryBoard. An Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting will be convened on Sept. 20, 2001, during which stockholders of Royal Ahold willhave the opportunity to approve the nomination.

Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB; NYSE: DEG) will release its second quarter earnings on Thursday,September 6, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. CET (8:00 a.m. EST) for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2001. Immediately following, Delhaize Group will conduct an investors'conference call at 3:00 p.m. CET (9:00 a.m. EST) on Thursday September 6, 2001. The Delhaize Group management team will be discussing the financial results forsecond quarter 2001.

Nestle, the world's biggest food company, said today that sales ofits packaged food increased in emerging markets, compensating for slower growth in the United Statesand in Western Europe and helping to lift first-half profit 13 percent.

Candy producer Brach's Confections Inc.is starting the phased shutdown of its Chicagomanufacturing plant, sending pink slips to 29workers who must leave the company by Oct. 20.

McCain Foods Limited will acquire the production facilities and food service business of Anchor Food Products Inc. in a three-party transaction. H.J. Heinz Company will purchase the company's branded products sold to retail outlets, including supermarkets and club stores.