Research & Analysis

CHICAGO and QUINCY, Mass. - Leading Internet grocer Peapod, Inc., and Stop & Shop, New England's largest supermarket chain, has announced the expansion of service to the New Haven, Conn. metropolitan area.

BRUSSELS - International food retailer Delhaize Group announced today that in the third quarter of 2003 its net earnings per share increased to 0.58 euros from 0.26 euros in 2002.

WASHINGTON - American shoppers are increasingly aware of the role food and nutrition play in managing and maintaining health, and they're taking a variety of actions to meet their self-care objectives, according to a new study by the Food Marketing Institute and Prevention magazine, "Shopping for Health 2003: Whole Health for the Whole Family."

ATLANTA - After a successful yearlong test in select markets throughout the nation, Kash 4 Gas will be available in Kroger grocery stores throughout Georgia, including Atlanta, Rome, Macon, and Dalton, among other locations. Kash 4 Gas is a customer loyalty program produced by Dallas, Texas-based Centego Marketing, Inc., in which shoppers earn free gasoline for purchasing specified grocery items.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Safeway Inc. on Monday said it has abandoned the long-delayed sale of its money-losing Chicago supermarket division due to a labor disagreement with a prospective buyer.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Fresh Brands Inc. today reported sales of $152.6 million for its third quarter ended Oct. 4, 2003, which represents a 7.6 percent increase over last year's third-quarter sales of $141.9 million.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - As part of its ongoing cost reduction efforts, Spartan Stores, Inc. on Friday announced that it has eliminated approximately 70 administrative staff positions at its office in Grand Rapids, Mich.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The Kroger Co. suspended negotiations with striking union workers Saturday after four bargaining sessions failed to produce an agreement, The Associated Press reports.