Research & Analysis

SAN ANTONIO - Rich Catanzaro, director of seafood merchandising, procurement and new product development at H.E. Butt Grocery Co., was killed last weekend after losing control of his snowmobile at a turn in a trail and striking a tree while vacationing with his family in Breckinridge, Colo.

ATLANTA - Eatzi's will open its second metro Atlanta gourmet grocery and restaurant next year in Park Place across from Perimeter Mall, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

ST. LOUIS - Aurora Foods Inc. on Friday announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and has completed its previously announced merger with Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation. The reorganized company has been renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. and is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J.

WASHINGTON - Wegmans Food Markets Inc. of Rochester, N.Y. was the big winner of several Best Practices Awards presented Sunday evening by Magazine Publishers of America and International Periodical Distributors Association during Retail Conference 2004: The Marketing of Magazines and Books.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Burrell L. Markum, founder of the former Buddie's Supermarkets chain here, died this week at age 85.

COMPTON, Calif. - Ralphs Grocery Co. here yesterday said it will permanently close 15 underperforming Ralphs supermarkets in Southern California within the next 60 days. The store closures are not related to the recently resolved Southern California supermarket labor dispute.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis.- Fresh Brands, Inc. today announced an agreement for the conversion of four stores in western Wisconsin operated by David Hegenbarth to the Piggly Wiggly franchise.

LARCHMONT, N.Y. - D'Agostino Supermarkets, based here, announced today that Neil Buckley has joined the company as director of general merchandise and HBC, replacing David D'Agostino, who has relinquished the position to concentrate on the company's online shopping service at DAGNYC.com.