Supermarket/Grocery

NEW YORK - Fleming Companies reported improved fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, but the distributor said in a conference call that the impact of Kmart's restructuring won't be fully known until the company announces plans for store closings on March 20.

MONTVALE, N.J. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc. announced on Tuesday that John E. Metzger has been appointed senior vice president & chief information officer.

DALLAS - Fleming Companies Inc. today announced that adjusted net income for the 2001 fourth quarter grew 59.1 percent to $31.1 million, or $0.64 per share on a fully diluted basis.

WEST YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom - Asda has become the first UK retailer to abandon paper gift vouchers, replacing them in all 250 stores with electronic gift cards.

DES MOINES - Supervalu Inc. announced last week it will close its Des Moines distribution center by April 8 in a move to consolidate its distribution network, the Des Moines Register reports.

COLTON, Calif. - Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. today reported that sales for the 13-week first quarter ending Dec. 30, 2001, increased 6 percent to $662.6 million vs. last year's $624.8 million.

SAN FRANCISCO - PETA and San Francisco-based Food and Social Justice Project recently launched a boycott against Safeway and its subsidiary stores, saying the company has refused to match minimum animal welfare standards adhered to by McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.

TOKYO - Daiei Inc, Japan's largest supermarket operator, said today it aims to cut 1,400 jobs in its parent company through voluntary retirement, Reuters reports.