Research & Analysis

NEW YORK - Safeway Inc. on Tuesday reached a tentative contract agreement with unionized workers at its Dominick's division that includes a commitment by Safeway to try to sell the Chicago unit, Reuters reports.

AUSTIN, Texas - Leading organic and natural foods grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. on Tuesday reported a 20 percent jump in sales for the fourth quarter, driven by weighted average year-over-year square footage growth and stronger than expected comparable store sales growth of 10.5 percent.

AMSTERDAM - Ahold NV, the world's third-largest food retailer, said Tuesday net profit declined 15 percent to 257.6 million euros ($256 million) in the third quarter and lowered its full-year outlook.

DES MOINES, Iowa - While McDonald's has scaled back its number of full-sized restaurants, the company is quietly opening scores of McDonald's inside new Wal-Mart Stores Inc. across the U.S.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Delhaize-owned Food Lion Inc. plans to open up to 60 stores next year, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. Up to 20 of the new stores could feature a newer design that includes wider aisles and a more decorative theme.

MILWAUKEE - While consumer confidence has been low for the past several months despite a recent upturn, customer satisfaction and consumer spending continue to rise, according to the latest results of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Shaw's Supermarkets Inc. prevailed in the final bidding for control of 18 former Ames Stores at an open auction on Friday in New York.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. on Friday announced that Donna Giordano has been promoted to president of Quality Food Centers, which operates 86 stores in Oregon and Washington.