Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

CINCINATTI - The Kroger Co. has tapped TWT Distributing, Inc., a Charlotte, N.C.-based minority-owned distributor of health and beauty care products and toiletries for African Americans and Hispanics, to manage its ethnic health and beauty care category.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. ¿ Farm Fresh Supermarkets, a Supervalu food retailer with 37 stores, will whoop it up during a three-day consumer food festival and entertainment event called the 25th annual Farm Fresh Extravaganza.

LONDON - The Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd, the retail-focused co-operative that includes more than 1,600 food retailing stores, has selected Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solution for Retail to help automate and improve its supply chain.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - SCA Hygiene Products AG (SCA), a Munich, Germany -based manufacturer and marketer of personal hygiene products such as bathroom tissue and paper towels, has joined the WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE) in the capacity of charter member and equity holder, the first manufacturer to do so.

BOISE, Idaho - First Candle/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance has joined with Albertsons, Gerber, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Ross Products, to boost awareness of SIDS during September, Baby Safety Month.

CHICAGO - IGA International, the world's largest voluntary supermarket network, has added a Southeast Asian buying group to its international network of food retailers.

NEW YORK - Retailers from grocery, drug, and mass now have a forum to discuss the booming health, wellness, and self-care movement with key suppliers. Sponsored by Retail Merchandiser magazine, in cooperation with Progressive Grocer and Convenience Store News, the Health & Wellness Summit '04 is being held Oct. 25 and 26 in Miami.

At Bloom, Food Lion's new concept for the future, putting customers first means turning several retail rules upside down.