Center Store

THIBODAUX, La. - Rouses Markets, Louisiana's largest independent grocer, has announced plans to build a second store in St. Tammany Parish. The 62,000-square-foot upscale store, a newer concept known as the "Epicurean Market," will feature a full-service butcher shop, seafood market, deli, cafe, floral shop, and one of the largest supermarket selections of wines in the state.

At the cutting edge of private label, meat and produce are where a grocer can make or break its name.

Packaged luncheon meats are responding to changing tastes and lifestyles -- and the challenge of the service deli.

Corporate branding strategies are growing more sophisticated, stratified, and effective than ever as retailers seek to grow profits and stand out.

QUINCY, Mass. - Stop & Shop, an Ahold banner, hopes to teach kids a thing or two about healthy eating through store tours for children in grades K-3 during the 2004-2005 school year.

DENVER - In the increasingly contentious contract talks between supermarket employees and major Colorado grocers Safeway, Albertsons, and King Soopers, corporate negotiators for the three retailers have rejected the United Food and Commercial Workers union's compromise offer to settle the dispute.

WHEELING, W.V. - Blaming adverse publicity from a salmonella outbreak this past summer that sickened more than 400 people, Coronet Foods has pulled the plug on its operations.

BRISTOL, England - Somerfield Plc, which operates the Kwik Save and Somerfield grocery chains, has agreed to purchase 114 Safeway stores from William Morrison Supermarkets Plc for 260.2 million pounds (U.S.$478 million) in cash to increase its customer base, according to published reports.