Seasonal

NEW YORK - Shares of Pathmark Stores Inc. slumped after an analyst at C.L. King & Associates cut his earnings estimates for the grocer and downgraded the stock from a "buy" to a "neutral" rating, according to a Dow Jones report.

Suppliers are looking to the consumer press to help them spread the word that frozen foods should be an important part of holiday meals.

TROY, Mich. - For the first time, Kmart Corporation will publish its weekly advertising circular in Spanish throughout the U.S. The company said it aims to reach hundreds of thousands of Spanish-speaking customers who shop Kmart stores.

PARIS - Global retailer Carrefour SA today reported a 25 percent increase in first-half earnings, but remained cautious for the full year despite its aggressive plan for global store openings, Dow Jones Newswires reports.

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.