Walmart

The consumer focus on nutrition and convenience has spurred the growth of the yogurt market.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- When the bar's set high, it's a long way down. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s net sales for the first quarter ended April 30 were $70.9 billion, an increase of 9.5 percent over the first quarter of fiscal 2005, and net income for the quarter was $2.5 billion, a rise of 13.6 percent from $2.2 billion in the year-ago period.

WOODLAND, Calif. -- Nugget Markets Inc. told the city of Vallejo that it will drop its plans to open a supermarket there unless the city bans Wal-Mart Supercenters.

CHICAGO -- Wal-Mart continues to be seen by other retailers as their primary market challenges in the next decade, according to a study conducted by Capgemini U.S. LLC, a global consultant on technology and outsourcing, at the Food Marketing Institute convention.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- With Wal-Mart looking to expand its supercenter concept into northern California, locally based Raley's launched a new everyday low price (EDLP) strategy yesterday on a significant selection of products in its 125 Raley's, Bel Air Markets, and Nob Hill Foods stores.

SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Casino Guichard Perrachon & Cie SA, the second-biggest supermarket company in France after Carrefour, has increased its stake in Brazil-based Cia. Brasileira de Distribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar (CBD) to 34. 3 percent from 27.4 percent by paying approximately $587 million to share control of that country's top grocer, according to published reports. Casino's stake will eventually grow to 39 percent of CBD without any further payment by the French retailer.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Wal-Mart has said that it will add 22,000 square feet to a recently closed store here and reopen it as Colorado's first "mini-supercenter," according to the Denver Post.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Wal-Mart Television Network's strategic programming platform in 515 targeted Wal-Mart stores with highly concentrated Hispanic populations will receive support from Premier Retail Networks, Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of San Francisco-based PRN Corp., in partnership with U.S. Spanish-language television network Telemundo.