Retail

NEW YORK -- John A. Catsimatidis, chairman of the Red Apple Group and owner of 45 Gristedes's supermarkets in New York City and over 200 Kwik Fill, Red Apple, and Country Fair convenience stores in upstate New York, said yesterday that he's teaming up with the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYASC) and other small New York businesses against any additional state cigarette tax increases, until the state enforces the law and collects taxes from American Indian reservation retailers on cigarette sales to non-Indians purchasers.

WASHINGTON -- From candy and cards to dinner and diamonds, consumers will be opening their wallets to shower their sweeties with special gifts this Feb. 14. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2006 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch for NRF, the average consumer will spend $100.89 on Valentine's Day, up slightly from $97.27 last year. With 60.9 percent of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday, total 2006 Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $13.70 billion, an increase from $13.19 billion in 2005.