Nonfoods

Retailers continue to prize efficiencies more than employees, and experts predict the payback will be a shortage of management talent in just a few years.

Grocers can boost year-round sales of school and office supplies simply by regaining focus on the category and using creative promotions.

To avoid being drowned by Wal-Mart's ever-rising tide, independents should heed the advice of industry expert Paul Adams.

Some of the most successful items in the supermarket perimeter are giving consumers plenty of reasons to appreciate specialty perishables.

WASHINGTON - The upscale Sutton Place gourmet food chain is close to being purchased by Fresh Fields founder Mark Ordan who plans to expand Sutton Place throughout the Northeast with an infusion of up to $50 million, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

INDIANAPOLIS - As The Kroger Co. and the union representing its Central Indiana butchers and clerks prepared to resume contract negotiations today, both sides made preparations for a strike, according to the Indianapolis Star newspaper.

WASHINGTON - After presiding over numerous fact-finding discussions with more than 70 different trade and producer groups, the U.S. Agriculture Department yesterday issued its proposed rules for the congressionally mandated country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program that was required by the 2002 Farm Bill.

DENVER - The founders of Wild Oats Markets have collected their favorite qualities from competitors to create Sunflower Market, a new low-priced natural foods prototype, the Denver Post reports.