Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

JACKSON, Mich. -- Dawn Food Products Inc. here, one of the world's largest independently owned bakery manufacturers and distributors, has joined forces with Countryside Baking, Inc., a leading California-based cookie and sweet goods manufacturer.

LONDON -- In a move similar to efforts being made by Wal-Mart, Britain's largest supermarket operator Tesco Plc has said it plans to implement a 10-point Community Plan in an attempt to improve its image as it continues to grow globally.

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Regional chain Harris Teeter here is in the race for customer loyalty with several innovative promotions.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here said yesterday it was launching an in-store event, "Go Over the Hedge for Good Health" in more than 2,000 Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets across the country May 21. The promotion ties into the opening of the DreamWorks movie "Over the Hedge," by encouraging families with children to eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables daily for good health.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores here posted lower net profit and sales for the fourth quarter, which it said was due in part to the timing of Easter, which fell in fiscal 2007 this year.

QUINCY, Mass. -- Ahold USA here, together with Cleveland, Ohio-based business-planning company Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM), will host the Ahold Supplier Diversity Trade Fair next month for women and minority-owned businesses in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Washington, D.C. -- A group of 18 national associations, many based here, have come together to launch a Web site -- http://www.bestfoodnation.com -- "dedicated to communicating accurate information" about the industry in answer to a controversial new book that slaps industry practices.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu, Inc. here said yesterday that it has appointed new executive management team to lead the company when its acquisition of Albertson's, Inc. retail properties is completed. The acquisition, which will create the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer, is expected to wrap up next month, following special shareholder meetings May 30.