Market Trends

CLEMENTON, N.J., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- ShopRite announced today that the revised contract proposal they had presented to UFCW Local 1360 was rejected without review by union membership. The contracts between ShopRite and the Local expired in March/April and the parties continued to operate under an extension while they negotiated. On September 6, 2001 the union called for a work stoppage.

Former Furrs Supermarkets Inc. employees are spreading word to one another to attend a court hearing Thursday to protest that they have not received promised severance pay. In a separate action, union officials filed a motion Sept. 21 asking the court to direct Furrs to make the payments.

Acirca Inc. announced on Wednesday it has acquired Mountain Sun, the number one brand of certified organic juice in the United States.

Agribuys announced on Wednesday the creation of a seafood supplier advisory council, which will give suppliers a forum to voice concerns, air e-commerce-related issues, and request additions to the Agribuys platform.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced on Tuesday the continuation of its aggressive unit growth for the fiscal year beginning February 1, 2002.

Unilever announced that the sale of its North American seafood business to Nippon Suisan (USA) Inc., a subsidiary of Nippon Suisan Kaisha Limited for $175 million in cash has been completed.

The union representing 1,400 striking workers at 10 Shop Rite supermarkets in southern New Jersey on Tuesday rejected the latest company contract proposal for settling the four-week old strike.

In Store Media Systems Inc. announced on Monday that John Watkins, executive vice president of new business development for Acosta Sales and Marketing Inc., has been nominated by the ISMS Board of Directors to become a director.