Market Trends

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons on Wednesday unveiled "Preferred Customer" loyalty cards at its 183 Northern California supermarkets, becoming the last major grocery chain in the state to embrace the controversial membership club program, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

DALLAS - Fleming Companies Inc. on Tuesday announced that it has decided to divest its 110 existing price-impact stores, which operate under the Food 4 Less and Rainbow Foods banners, in an effort to focus on its wholesaling business and further reduce its debt.

MINNEAPOLIS - National food retailer and distributor Nash Finch Company on Tuesday announced the promotion of Jerry L. Nelson to president and chief operating officer.

SAN DIEGO - San Diego-based SureBeam Corporation announced on Tuesday that D'Agostino Supermarkets has become the first New York metropolitan area retailer to offer SureBeam processed fresh ground beef in its stores.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In the next five years, Target could likely become a top 10 U.S. food player if it finds the right recipe, according to a new report from global management consulting and market research firm Retail Forward.

NEW YORK - Frito-Lay North America said on Tuesday it will use a healthier cooking oil in its Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos snacks and introduce reduced-fat versions of some snacks amid mounting concerns over Americans' diet, Reuters reports.

ZAANDAM, The Netherlands - Supermarket chain Albert Heijn, the largest in the Netherlands and part of the Ahold group, has removed a number of Unilever products from its shelves following a disagreement over the price the Anglo-Dutch conglomerate is demanding, according to published reports.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Lowes Foods has been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to reduce energy consumption.