Budgets/Spending/Market Size

Just about everybody thinks IT ought to merit major investment but many fewer CPG exec believe their companies are putting their money where their mouth is, according to a research report issued yesterday by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Despite a wide technology downturn, Internet subscriber figures continue to grow inthe United States where a majority of homes have at least dial-up access and nearlyone in four online households use a broadband connection, according to a new study.

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.

A monthly estimate of online spending by U.S.consumers suggests that Internet shoppers forkedout about the same amount in July - nearly $4billion - as they did during the same period a yearago.

Despite recast projections from numerous research organizations, thenew Online Advertising Report forecasts that online advertisingspending is holding its own and will continue to grow steadilyover the next several years.

(Reuters) - Ralston Purina Co., the largest U.S. pet food maker, said on Monday that fiscal third-quarter net earnings rose nearly 27 percent, driven by firm sales volumes in all segments of its business and lower interest expenses.