Market Trends

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, currently based in Lanham, Md., will relocate its corporate headquarters to Bowie, Md., this October, according to a published report.

The Kroger Co. has more than doubled its number of store-brand cosmetics, shampoos and other beauty items while preparing to launch more products later this year and into 2011.

Gerald E. “Gerry” D’Amour, co-founder and former president of Springfield, Mass.-based Big Y Foods Inc. died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 at his home in Somers, Conn. He was 90 years old.

Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) late last week reached agreement on the Food Safety Modernization Act, which would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enhanced responsibility to ensure the nation’s food safety. The legislation has already been approved by the House and now moves on to the full Senate for a vote.

Despite flat revenues and comparable-store sales growth of 5.0 percent at its Belgian locations for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, retail conglomerate Delhaize Group experienced losses at its still economically depressed U.S. operations. Company president and CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers noted last week, however, that the grocer was making “steady progress” with its New Game Plan, which has so far included the restructuring of Delhaize’s American business.

Natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market will celebrate its 30th anniversary next month with a birthday bash at its world headquarters in Austin, Texas, and festivities at all of its stores, during which the company will acknowledge its past accomplishments as well as future food, farming and environmental initiatives for healthier communities and a healthier planet.

Rutter’s Farm Stores has added an Android app to its smarftphone application offerings, which include its previously introduced iPhone and Blackberry apps.

In keeping with an ambitious plan unveiled last month to reverse its currently lackluster fortunes, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. (A&P) said Friday that it would shutter 25 stores in five states.