Research & Analysis

MONTVALE, N.J. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc., better known as A&P, Friday reported a first-quarter loss for the 16 weeks ended June 19, although the company noted that sales went up slightly.

WASHINGTON - The Food Marketing Institute and other industry groups offered praise yesterday for the House Agriculture Committee's passage of a bipartisan bill calling for the implementation of a voluntary country-of-origin labeling program.

MINNEAPOLIS - Leading food retailer and distributor Supervalu, Inc. said yesterday it would continue to focus on growing its licensed and corporate Save-A-Lot stores, as the company strengthens its position as one of the top food companies in the country.

IRVINE, Calif. - A proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow Mexican avocados to be imported to all 50 states is being seen as the pits by California growers, who fear the imported product will flood the market and introduce several pests, including fruit flies, seed moths, and weevils, into the United States.

GOLDEN, Colo. - The potential merger between Adolph Coors Co. here and Molson, Inc. would likely have little if any impact on the industry and the brands' distribution and marketing in the United States, according to an industry analyst.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Food, beverage, and consumer products manufacturers reported that the cost of unsaleable products declined to 1.11 percent in 2003, compared with a record high of 1.18 percent in 2002, according to the Grocery Manufacturers of America-Food Marketing Institute 2004 Unsaleables Benchmark Report.

RACINE, Wis. - Two former executives of the now-defunct Kohl's Food Stores chain are establishing a new store under the Country Market USA banner that they hope will grow into a four-unit operation within a year.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - On the heels of last week's unveiling of its first Collierville, Tenn. store built from the ground up, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is aggressively embarking on Phase II of its Mid-South expansion plans.