Nonfoods

NATICK, Mass. -- Thanks in large part to spectacular growth in comparable sales of private brands and perishables, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc., based here, yesterday reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $51.6 million, or 76 cents per share, vs. $47.0 million, or 67 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2004, a 13.4 percent rise in EPS.

Louisiana's Rouses Supermarkets leverages local expertise and a blend of old and new in its latest store.

Natural and organic personal care items are a large part of Natural Products Expo West this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American Meat Institute Foundation held a teleconference briefing yesterday to try to blunt further controversy surrounding modified atmosphere packaging technology that uses carbon monoxide to help maintain meat's natural red color.

Some supermarket operators are gaining the expertise needed to make their stores more health-minded destinations -- but there's no miracle diet plan.

SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy, based here, will open its 50th store in its home state on Saturday, March 4. The 36,000-square-foot location, in Bridgton, will feature the chain's usual complement of service-oriented fresh departments and other amenities.

CHICAGO -- More than 25 million Americans -- including nearly 9 million children and 3 million seniors -- receive emergency food assistance each year from America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network, representing an 8 percent increase since 2001, according to a new report sponsored by Altria, parent company of Kraft Foods.

MONROVIA, Calif. -- It's apparently official: Trader Joe's, based here, is entering the Atlanta market via two leased stores in Midtown and Sandy Springs. It would be the retailer's southernmost territory to date.