Research & Analysis

As popular low-carb diets urge consumers to kiss spuds goodbye, potato producers whip into damage-control mode.

SEATTLE, Wash. - AccessVia, a provider of automated sign printing solutions and electronic display technologies for retailers, announced that Supervalu Inc. has rolled out Web dSignShop in three of its grocery chains.

LOS ANGELES - The United Food and Commercial Workers and Albertsons, Kroger Co. and Safeway settled on a tentative contract Thursday, after 16 straight days of negotiations.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In the wake of Big Bear's close, discount grocer Aldi intends to move aggressively into the competitive central Ohio grocery market, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

ATLANTA - The Coca-Cola Co. yesterday promoted the head of the retail division of its key North American unit to run the entire unit.

NEW YORK - Nash Finch Co. a supermarket operator and wholesale food distributor, yesterday boosted its quarterly dividend to 13.5 cents per share from nine cents, according to Reuters.

BOULDER, Colo. - Wild Oats Markets, Inc. stock fell yesterday after the chain said earnings fell 68 percent, according to an AP report. The natural food retailer attributed the drop to supply chain changes, which offset a 14 percent rise in sales in the latest quarter.Shares of Wild Oats closed at $13.26, down $1.14, or 7.9 percent, on the Nasdaq.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Wild Oats Natural Marketplace here has begun offering biodegradable containers in its deli sections that resemble regular clear plastic made from petroleum products, but the tubs are really made from cornstarch that's said to break down in seven weeks if composted, the Arizona Daily Star reports..