Federated Insurance

SYOSSET, N.Y. -- Distributor Synergy Brands, Inc. here said yesterday that Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Federated Group, a sales and marketing company in the grocery, foodservice, drug, and convenience store business, and Synergy's PHS Group have entered into a sales and marketing agreement to distribute Federated's proprietary Better Valu "savings" private label brand of groceries to PHS Group customers in its geographical distribution areas.

CINNCINATI - Food banks - and the local supermarket - should see a boost today as Federated Department Stores here asked its employees to bring a brown bag lunch to work today and donate the money saved to its Bag Hunger program, which primarily benefits the Free Store/Food Bank.

NEW YORK - The Iraqi War, cold weather, a late Easter, and the recession all contributed to weak March sales for leading retailers, including Wal-Mart, Sears, Federated Department Stores, and J.C. Penney Co.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday said it still expects to meet its forecast for March sales at stores open at least a year, despite the "CNN effect" last week, when shoppers were glued to their televisions to watch coverage of the war with Iraq.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertson's Inc. announced today that John Sims will join the company as executive vice president and general counsel.