Research & Analysis

STELLARTON, Nova Scotia - Sobeys Inc., Canada's second largest grocery chain behind Lowlaw Cos., today announced net earnings of $41.9 million for its first quarter ended Aug. 2 -- an 8.7 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Intesource and Wegmans Food Markets have expanded their relationship with a newly signed agreement whereby Wegmans will use Intesource's Web-based procurement suite to assist the chain in procuring a variety of goods and services.

MINNEAPOLIS and BRATTLEBORO, Vt. - Supervalu Inc. and C&S Wholesale Grocers have agreed to a major swap of assets whereby Supervalu will acquire former Fleming Midwest operations from C&S, and C&S will buy Supervalu's New England operations.

WASHINGTON - The Grocery Manufacturers of America will stress the importance of lowering trade-distorting tariffs and subsidies, and caution against including non-trade concerns such as geographical indications in trade negotiations at the Fifth World Trade Organization Ministerial this week.

SAN DIEGO - SureBeam Corporation, provider of electron beam food safety systems and services for the food industry, announced today that it will close its Vernon, Calif. processing service center in an effort to consolidate its processing services business.

WASHINGTON - The FBI today issued a bulletin announcing a worldwide search for four men in connection with possible terrorist threats, and cautioned that future attacks could include poisoning the U.S. food and water supply.

MILAN, Ill. - Milan, Ill.-based Eagle Food Centers Inc., which owns and operates supermarkets in Illinois and Iowa, announced this week that Albertsons emerged as the successful bidder for five of its stores.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Natural and specialty foods distributor Tree of Life Inc. announced it has achieved "certified organic" status under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program for all of its operations in the United States. With this certification, Tree of Life becomes the nation's largest certified organic distributor.