Seasonal

WASHINGTON - Consumer confidence in the American economy sank to a nine-month low in August, the third straight monthly decline, The Associated Press reports.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons Inc. on Tuesday said a "virtual food drive" being conducted this month at nearly 900 of its food and drug stores in 18 states, will raise more than one million pounds of food for America's Second Harvest.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ahold-owned Tops Friendly Markets has said it will test Toys "R" Us displays in six of its stores beginning next month to gauge customer interest in the mini-toy store concept that Giant Food has rolled out in some of its stores, The Buffalo News reports.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Food Marketing Institute announced today it has launched a labeling program urging consumers to cook hamburgers to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warm winters have been putting a chill on the cough/cold category. Effective coping strategies may depend on accurate weather forecasts.

HONG KONG - McDonald's Corp. has begun selling Chinese-style meals in Hong Kong to better compete during the territory's bitter economic downturn, Reuters reports.

NEW YORK - Two reports released today suggest that extreme heat and a patriotic holiday drove U.S. consumers into air-conditioned stores, helping lift chain store sales in the last retail week of June, Reuters reports.

PHILADELPHIA - In an effort to organize employees at Norristown, Pa.-based Genuardi's Family Markets, five United Food and Commercial Workers union locals are planning a big campaign over Memorial Day weekend, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.