Market Trends

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Community-based independent natural and organic food retailer My Organic Market (MOM's) here yesterday completed installation of 40 energy-saving reflective skylights in its new store in Columbia East, scheduled to open in early October.

NEW YORK -- Growth in gourmet and organic cookies, as well as laying on the chocolate, are two strategies that might save the faltering cookie market, which has dropped to $5.56 billion in 2005 from over $6 billion in 2001, as consumers increasingly worry about their waistlines and their medical profiles, according to "Cookies in the U.S.," a new report from Packaged Facts.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - Karns Quality Foods based here is acquiring two Fox's Markets in Hershey and Middletown, Pa., putting to rest months of local trade speculation that such a deal was in the works.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Aiming to become more profitable, convenient, and consumer-centric, Spartan Stores here plans to grow more fuel centers, expand private-label, eye opportunistic store acquisitions, add more convenience services, and generally expand its retail and distribution businesses, the company's chief executive told shareholders at the annual meeting yesterday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Aiming to become more profitable, convenient, and consumer-centric, Spartan Stores here plans to grow more fuel centers, expand private-label, eye opportunistic store acquisitions, add more convenience services, and generally expand its retail and distribution businesses, the company's chief executive told shareholders at the annual meeting yesterday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - ACNielsen U.S., an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU business, said yesterday it has reached an agreement with Murphy Oil USA, Inc. whereby Murphy will release point of sale (POS) data from all of its 900-plus outlets to ACNielsen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Aiming to become more profitable, convenient, and consumer-centric, Spartan Stores here plans to grow more fuel centers, expand private-label, eye opportunistic store acquisitions, add more convenience services, and generally expand its retail and distribution businesses, the company's chief executive told shareholders at the annual meeting yesterday.

COLTON, Calif. -- Stater Bros. Markets today begins what's to be a yearlong celebration to mark its 70th anniversary of service to Southern California, which started August 17, 1936, when twin brothers Cleo and Leo Stater opened the first Stater Bros. Market in Yucaipa, California.