Nonfoods

WASHINGTON - The U.S. convenience store industry reported a 5.0 percent sales increase over those of 2000, climbing to a record $283 billion, despite a decline in motor fuels and in-store margins, according to data on the industry released today by the National Association of Convenience Stores.

MINNEAPOLIS - Cub Foods on Monday said it has filed a lawsuit against Rainbow Foods, its parent company Fleming, and H.Brooks, a produce distributor, alleging that for more than a year, Rainbow has engaged in an ongoing scheme to steal Cub's Sunday newspaper advertisement prior to their publication.

CHICAGO - Procter & Gamble Co. said on Monday it wants to sell some of the lesser-known brands it acquired in its purchase of shampoo maker Clairol in order to focus on more profitable global brands, Reuters reports.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported that Susie brand cantaloupe melons from Mexico, brought into the U.S. and Canada during April, have been linked to a recent outbreak of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella Poona.

WASHINGTON - Wholesale prices dipped by 0.2 percent in April, led by the biggest drop in food costs in nearly 28 years, The Associated Press reports.

NEW YORK - New research shows that one third of adults still select whole milk over skim milk, and more than 80 percent add butter or some other type of fat to their baked potatoes and bread, Reuters reports.

With ever-increasing sales and scores of new product introductions, yogurt is the dairy case's shining star.

Now more than ever, opportunity knocks in the inner city for both independent and chain food retailers.