Research & Analysis

TORONTO - Canada's largest grocery chain, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., said on Wednesday fourth-quarter sales and earnings rose, helped by new store openings and better profit margins that came from cost cuts, Reuters reports.

MINNEAPOLIS - Food retailer and distributor Nash Finch Company today reported earnings of $6.7 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 29, 2001, compared to $5.2 million, or 45 cents per diluted share.

WASHINGTON - A new report conducted for the Institute of Food Technologists suggests America's food supply will be threatened by dangerous bacteria for a long time as new germs arrive in imported products and microbes already here develop in new forms, The Associated Press reports.

WASHINGTON - The government reported today that consumer inflation rose 0.2 percent in January, lifted by the largest increase in gasoline prices in four months and higher prices for fruits and vegetables, The Associated Press reports.

CHICAGO - Troubled cosmetics maker Revlon Inc. on Tuesday said it has named former Coca-Cola Co. president and chief operating officer Jack Stahl as its chief executive. Stahl, 48, will be the company's third chief executive in five years, Reuters reports.

MILWAUKEE - Customer satisfaction with the quality of goods and services available to American consumers in the retail, finance and e-commerce sectors rose during the final quarter of 2001, offsetting a drop that began in late 2000, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

OMAHA, Neb. - Albertson's Inc. announced today it will open its first combination store format under the Albertson's/Osco banner in Omaha on Wednesday.

SUWANEE, Ga. - Mrs. Smith's Bakeries, the country's leading frozen dessert company and a business unit of Flowers Foods, has acquired the Gordon's Pies brand of baked fruit pies.