Frozen Foods

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart's third test supercenter opened yesterday in Plano, Texas, but rather than focusing on the earth's environment, as do the first two experimental supercenters in McKinney, Texas and Aurora, Colo., this one focuses sharply on the competitive retail environment, breaking much new ground for the traditional mega-discounter of basics.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Peter Gilmore has been promoted to v.p./eastern seaboard sourcing by Dole Food Co. here.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Penn Traffic Co., based here, said yesterday that it has purchased a 58,500-square-foot Tops Market in Norwich, N.Y., which it will close on April 1 and reopen as a P&C Foods on April 8.

ST. LOUIS -- Schnucks Markets, based here, incorporated many on-trend changes into the extensive remodel of its Concord Village store in south St. Louis County.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- In celebration of National Frozen Food Month in March, Wal-Mart supercenters across the country shared the National Frozen Food Association's "Warm Up to Frozen" message on Saturday by offering a calendar, tied to the upcoming 20th Century Fox release "Ice Age: The Meltdown," that features frozen food tips and vendor information.

MONROVIA, Calif. -- The checkout line snaked around most of the perimeter, and scores of curious and enthusiastic shoppers swarmed the aisles last Friday, the opening day of Trader Joe's first New York City store.

LOS ANGELES -- The Kroger Co.'s Ralphs division here has joined forces with American Express Incentive Services (AEIS) for a consumer promotion that debuts the grocer's first-ever customized movie card.

DUNCAN, S.C -- The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has awarded the Cryovac Food Packaging Division of Sealed Air Corporation, based here, a handful of its 2006 Top Packaging Awards.