Retail

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Thanks to ongoing cost-cutting and new in-store initiatives at its U.S. banners, the Delhaize Group here saw 5.3 percent sales growth and a net profit increase of 66.7 percent for the fourth quarter. For the year, sales grew 4.2 percent, while net profit was up 23.4 percent.

ST. LOUIS -- Regional independent Schnuck Markets Inc. yesterday went live with a new pharmacy technology solution aimed at increasing productivity, cutting costs, and optimizing revenue and cash flow.

AUSTIN, Texas -- After operating on a partial basis for the past few months, Whole Foods Market here cut the ribbon on a rebuilt, 50,000-square-foot store in Metairie. La. yesterday.

WASHINGTON -- The AFL-CIO issued a report this week claiming that Wal-Mart employees in at least 19 states are relying on government health-care assistance.

COPPELL, Texas -- Minyard Food Stores, Inc. here expects to debut its new Hispanic-centric Carnival flagship store in mid-summer, s.v.p. of strategy and marketing Poul Heilmann told Progressive Grocer yesterday. The ground-up store, to be located in the Oaklawn section of southwest Dallas, will incorporate the many new ideas Minyards has implemented in four recent Carnival remodels.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Pharmacy, based here, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett have come to a multistate legal agreement to introduce new policies and procedures to help reduce the cigarette sales to minors.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- The board of directors of Safeway Inc. amended the company's bylaws yesterday to establish a majority vote standard for uncontested director elections. In a contested election, the plurality vote standard will remain in place.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart's going to California to celebrate the opening of its newest supercenter with a concert, and everyone's invited. Pop artist Ryan Cabrera will perform live on Saturday, March 18 at 4 p.m. from the parking lot of what will be the chain's 2000th supercenter in Beaumont, Calif.