Nonfoods

BRUSSELS, Belgium and LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- GS1, the not-for-profit organization that develops global standards for the identification of goods and services across supply chains, yesterday issued the GS1 Data Quality Framework, which includes a best-practice protocol for companies to establish, implement, maintain, and improve their data quality management systems.

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle, Inc. here debuted a 5,000-square-foot, new concept GetGo "superette" in Wilkinsburg, featuring an expanded selection of more than 100 produce items.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada -- Natural and organic foods retailer/distributor Planet Organic Health Corp. here said sales increased 26.1 percent for the 13-week quarter ended March 31, a result of the company's aggressive expansion among its manufacturing, retail, and distribution divisions.

CHICAGO -- Describing Wal-Mart as a "retail powerhouse in transition," Information Resources, Inc. here took a deeper look at Wal-Mart's dilemma and predicts what its next steps may be, in its latest "Times & Trends" report.

SEATTLE -- Is Amazon.com fixing to be the Web's Wal-Mart Supercenter? The leading e-tailer took what might be a first step in that direction yesterday, by adding a new grocery store to its mega e-merchandising site that will hawk more than 10,000 non-perishable grocery items "with convenience and low prices." Online food retailing may never be the same.

ROCHESTER, NY -- Since the "Eat Well, Live Well Challenge" was rolled out four years ago by Wegmans Food Markets Inc. here for its employees, the positive results have been piling up.

DAYVILLE, Conn. -- Reflecting the rising fortunes of natural and organic foods in the American marketplace, distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) here yesterday posted double-digit gains in sales and earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. here cut the ribbon a 101,000-square-foot Marketplace format store in Dublin, Ohio, which marks the third such unit in the central part of the state. Kroger's other area Marketplace stores, which combine general merchandise with grocery, are located in Clintonville and Columbus.