Market Trends

DALLAS - Fleming Cos., which is in the process of selling all of its retail stores, has agreed to sell 28 Food4Less stores in California to Save Mart Supermarkets Inc. for $165 million.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Wednesday it would not challenge Kroger Co.'s acquisition of 18 Raley's Corp. supermarkets in Las Vegas.

OAKLAND, Calif. & CINCINNATI - The Clorox Company and The Procter & Gamble Company on Thursday announced they are planning to establish a joint venture in food and trash bags, containers, and wraps under the Glad, GladWare and related trademarks.

LOS ANGELES - No. 1 natural and organic food retailer Whole Foods Market Inc. and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) have teamed up to create an on-site solar electric power co-generation system. The system was recently installed at the Whole Foods Market store in Woodland Hills, Calif.

SKOKIE, Ill. - Online grocer Peapod Inc., a subsidiary of Royal Ahold, on Tuesday said it has expanded its delivery service to 14 Chicago suburbs and the South Side community of Beverly, Crain's Chicago Business reports.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand's largest supermarket operator, Foodstuffs, said Wednesday it will offer its customers banking services at its supermarkets starting next year,

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. and MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa. - Beginning this month, shoppers of neXpansion's Endless Aisle service can shop a wider selection of premium pet foods and treats thanks to a new partnership between neXpansion and PetFoodDirect.com.

WASHINGTON - The world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer product companies has completed its merger with the Association of Sales & Marketing Companies, in the culmination of the organizations' two-year association.