Large Chains

The still-developing competitive picture in grocery wholesaling could be rosy for those with imagination and dark for the less creative.

TRENTON, N.J. - An ex-CEO and chairman of a New Jersey grocery cooperative pleaded guilty Thursday to plotting to cheat it and the Internal Revenue Service by disguising embezzled funds as business expenses, The Associated Press reports.

MONTREAL - Leading Canadian convenience store operator, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., said this week that its next acquisition would be in the United States, Reuters reports.

LOS ANGELES -- Smart & Final Inc. today reported it has completed the previously announced divestitures of its foodservice direct delivery business units and its Florida stores, to reposition the company's focus on its core western U.S. store operations.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Fresh Brands Inc. on Friday announced that the company and its chief financial officer, Pat Plumley, have agreed to end their relationship. The company said the cessation of the relationship is not related to any accounting or financial issues.

MILAN, Ill. - Milan, Ill.-based Eagle Food Centers Inc., which owns and operates supermarkets in Illinois and Iowa, announced this week that Albertsons emerged as the successful bidder for five of its stores.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Four supermarket chains will be honored during this weekend's annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy for their efforts at raising substantial funds to find a cure for the disease.

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Fresh Brands, Inc. announced that Richard C. Taggart has been named president and c.e.o. of its Dick's Supermarkets, Inc. subsidiary. Taggart succeeds Robert Brodbeck, who has resigned for personal reasons.