Market Trends

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - LML Payment Systems Inc. announced that its subsidiary LML Payment Systems Corp. has successfully rolled out both electronic check and traditional recovery services to Grocers Supply Co. Inc. and 49 multi-lane grocery stores with 268 locations in the Houston, Texas area.

STAMFORD, Conn. - In an unusual business move, Guinness Bass Import Company, a division of Diageo, is offering to reimburse its distributors to remove its discontinued Captain Morgan Gold brand, a flavored malt beverage that didn't perform to the company's expectations.

HONG KONG - Hong Kong-based supermarket operator Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. has reached an agreement to acquire the IKEA home furnishing businesses in Hong Kong and Taiwan from Jardine Pacific Holdings Limited, a Jardine Matheson Group affiliate, for $27 million, according to published reports.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie is launching a new Baby Rewards Club that offers discounts on merchandise, entries into sweepstakes, and other special offers and incentives.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Leading office products retailer Office Depot Inc. on Thursday said it plans to open shops inside some Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. stores.

MONTVALE, N.J. - Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. said on Tuesday it will split its American and Canadian businesses in an effort to revive its struggling U.S. stores, and Elizabeth Culligan will step down as president and chief operating officer.

CHICAGO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. increased its lead over Safeway Inc. in the 2002 Power Rankings, a key performance survey that examines how retailers and manufacturers rate each other in areas that are most important to their ongoing relationships, such as strategy, service and profitability.

DENVER - As Albertsons celebrated a new store opening in Denver this week, the retailer announced plans to significantly expand its presence in the state of Colorado.