Research & Analysis

ST. PAUL - Hastings, Minn.-based convenience store operator Tom Thumb Food Markets Inc. confirmed that it has ceased operations, closing the last of more than 100 stores in Minnesota under its banner, according to The Associated Press.

WASHINGTON - The House Education and the Workforce Committee today voted to reauthorize the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for the next four years with reforms long sought by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) to benefit both consumers in the program and the retailers that serve them.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Delhaize Group here, operator of Food Lion, Kash n' Karry, Hannaford Bros., and Harvey's supermarkets in the United States, reported an organic sales growth of 2.4 percent for 2003. However, total sales decreased by 9.0 percent to 18.8 billion euros, due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar by 16.4 percent against the euro.

NEW YORK - PepsiCo Inc. said on Tuesday that it planned to introduce a new soda with 50 percent less sugar and carbohydrates than its regular cola, according to a Reuters report.

CHICAGO - The new president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union said a wave of grocery strikes in the Midwest and Northeast could be on the horizon despite ongoing negotiations in the regions, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO - Albertsons Inc. has unveiled plans to expand its operations by building small discount grocery stores, according to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times.

ALBANY, N.Y. - Golub Corp. president and c.e.o. Neil Golub, who leads the Price Chopper supermarket chain, is one of several retailers who are spearheading a $73,000 campaign to modify New York's liquor stores and distributors on the right to sell wine, reports local business publication The Business Review.

TAMPA, Fla. - Kash n' Karry, the Florida-based supermarket company of Delhaize Group, announced on Monday the creation and rollout of a new supermarket concept in Florida called Sweetbay Supermarket.