Market Trends

Fleming Cos. Inc., the No. 2 U.S. wholesale food supplier behind Supervalu Inc., today reported a 52 percent increase in third quarter 2001 net earnings to $22.8 million, or $0.47 per share, after adjustments to exclude strategic plan charges and one-time items, compared to $15.0 million, or $0.37 per share, in the third quarter of 2000.

Food distributors are being squeezed by three powerful trends that are pressing the industry to further increase efficiencies in distribution centers (DCs) and try even harder to meet customers' logistics needs, according to the 2001 Food Industry Distribution Center Benchmarking Report, recently released by FDI and FMI.

IGA, the global supermarketer, recently presented two prestigious awards to retailers for overall performance and international excellence.

Vitasoy USA, producer and marketer of soy beverages and tofu, has announced the appointment of Thomas Osetek to president and CEO.

Weis Markets Inc. today said its third quarter sales for the period ending September 29, 2001 increased 2.7% to $498.8 million compared to the same period a year ago and that it generated $11.7 million in net income.

Pathmark Stores announced today that it has kicked off its 12th year of raising money for the Community Food Banks in its New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Delaware supermarkets.

Smithfield Foods Inc. today announced a new, expanded management structure to facilitate the company's rapid growth.

A panel of judges have upheld class action status for the antitrust case that Wal-Mart and other retailers brought against Visa and MasterCard over debit cards, the Associated Press reports.