Research & Analysis

MINNEAPOLIS - Minneapolis-based Retek Inc. has announced that Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has selected Retek Demand Forecasting and Retek Replenishment Planning solutions to improve supply chain efficiency and increase inventory performance.

DALLAS - Fleming Cos. on Tuesday slashed its fourth-quarter earnings outlook, citing soft sales, inflated meat prices and higher employee-related costs such as pension, healthcare and insurance costs.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. is launching a marketing campaign to educate customers about the nutritional benefits of eating more dairy foods. Kroger will feature 3-A-Day messaging, which is part of an ongoing integrated marketing/education program by the American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council.

ST. LOUIS and PITTSBURGH - Two regional grocers, Schnuck Markets and Giant Eagle, are introducing irradiated ground beef to their markets.

LONDON - British supermarket giant Sainsbury PLC said Monday it was considering making an offer of more than 3 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) for Safeway PLC, raising the prospect of a bidding war for Britain's fourth largest grocery chain.

CHICAGO - Kroger-owned chain Food 4 Less is set to open its first price-impact, warehouse-format supermarket in Chicago in the city's historic Back of the Yards neighborhood on Jan. 15.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. has announced that John Bays has been promoted to president of Dillon Stores, which operates 110 stores in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He succeeds Bob Colvey, who has announced his retirement after 40 years with the company.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Delhaize Group, the Belgian international food retailer, on Thursday said it will close 41 underperforming Food Lion stores and one Kash n' Karry by the end of January to protect Food Lion's future profitability and to strengthen its competitive position.