Center Store

TRENTON, N.J. - Raising cigarette taxes will only lead to broader tax increases across all categories, according to the Enough Already Coalition, a group of New Jersey convenience store operators, retail trade associations, and tobacco companies.

SEATTLE - Internet retailer Amazon.com plans to launch an online food store as early as August, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores today said the Winn-Dixie brand will become its primary house brand for nearly 3,000 private label items.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the guise of giant ears of corn, butterflies, and tomatoes, demonstrators, along with organic farmers and chefs, marched on Monday in protest of a meeting of more than 100 agriculture officials from around the world.

HAVANA - A U.S.-Cuba trade group is trying to get the Bush administration to reverse its blocking of a food fair featuring U.S. companies planned for January in Havana, Reuters reports.

NEW YORK - The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved over-the-counter sales of the popular heartburn drug Prilosec, opening the way for a planned fall launch of the drug by Procter & Gamble Co., the company announced. P&G has branded the drug Prilosec OTC.

HOUSTON - Commerce, Calif.-based 99 Cents Only has announced plans to open 75 of its discount stores in the competitive Texas market within three years, the Houston Chronicle reports.

MELVILLE, N.Y. - The Hain Celestial Group, a natural and organic food company, has acquired privately held Acirca Inc., owner of the Walnut Acres brand of organic fruit juices, soups, pasta sauces and salsas.