Research & Analysis

SEATTLE - Twenty-five thousand grocery workers have agreed to work another week under a contract that was supposed to expire two months ago, according to published reports.

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - Dick's Supermarkets, Inc. will receive financial aid for its proposed $6 million, 41,000-square-foot bakery and delicatessen facility here, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce said.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons, Inc. said yesterday that it has completed the rollout of a new dollar zone concept in all 2,500 of its food and drug stores in 37 states, covering all banners, among them Jewel-Osco, Acme, Albertsons-Osco, Albertsons-Sav-on, Sav-on Drugs, Osco Drug, Super Saver, Shaw's, and Star Market.

TORONTO - CoolBrands International Inc., a leader in the consumer products and franchising segments of the frozen dessert industry, said yesterday that it had acquired from Parmalat the Kinnet Dairy DSD ice cream distribution business located mainly in Georgia, with additional distribution coverage in parts of Alabama and South Carolina.

CINCINNATI - Hoping to strike a counter-blow against Wal-Mart and other supercenters, The Kroger Co. here is launching the Kroger Marketplace one-stop-shopping concept later this year in Columbus, Ohio.

NEW YORK - California public interest group BanTransFats.com, Inc. has filed suit in San Francisco federal court against McDonald's, alleging that the Oak Brook, Ill.-based fast-food giant's broken 2002 promise to reduce trans fatty acids (TFAs) in its meals amounts to false advertising.

COPPELL, Texas - Minyard Food Stores is designing a "bazaar" concept in the ultracompetitive Dallas market.

INDIANAPOLIS - Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. is opening a new concept store, Arthur's Fresh Market, in the town of Syracuse, Ind. with a special ceremony this morning.