Market Trends

November 22, 2002 - WASHINGTON -- Half of Americans (51 percent) say they will serve at least one organic dish this Thanksgiving holiday, according to a survey conducted for the Grocery Manufacturers of America by the polling company.

November 20, 2002 -- SAN DIEGO, CA -- ICON Group International Ltd. today released two comprehensive studies on labor productivity and vertical gap analysis benchmarks for The Kroger Co.

November 20, 2002 -- TORRANCE, Calif -- Nov. 21, 2002-- Agribuys, a supply chain software and service provider to the fresh foods industry, announced today it is using IBM's WebSphere Business Integration solutions to enhance its offering to the grocery industry.

NEW YORK - Safeway Inc. on Tuesday reached a tentative contract agreement with unionized workers at its Dominick's division that includes a commitment by Safeway to try to sell the Chicago unit, Reuters reports.

AUSTIN, Texas - Leading organic and natural foods grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. on Tuesday reported a 20 percent jump in sales for the fourth quarter, driven by weighted average year-over-year square footage growth and stronger than expected comparable store sales growth of 10.5 percent.

DES MOINES, Iowa - While McDonald's has scaled back its number of full-sized restaurants, the company is quietly opening scores of McDonald's inside new Wal-Mart Stores Inc. across the U.S.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Delhaize-owned Food Lion Inc. plans to open up to 60 stores next year, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. Up to 20 of the new stores could feature a newer design that includes wider aisles and a more decorative theme.

AMSTERDAM - Ahold NV, the world's third-largest food retailer, said Tuesday net profit declined 15 percent to 257.6 million euros ($256 million) in the third quarter and lowered its full-year outlook.