Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Dakota Beef's complete line of certified organic products debuted at the newest Whole Foods store here, in what the vendor's executives said was a milestone in its history.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Amid a weakening retail sales environment exacerbated by rising fuel prices, Supervalu based here said yesterday it plans to put its 20 corporately owned Shop 'n Save supermarkets in the Pittsburgh area on the block. Industry sources in Pittsburgh said it was the wiser move in an increasingly aggressive retail battleground.

The pumps are churning across the flooded lands of the Gulf Coast. As the deadly waters recede, however, challenges to authorities, residents, and business owners remain at critical levels. The urgency of protecting hurricane victims from disease reached new heights yesterday, as New Orleans officials said that floodwater has been contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Bottled water vendors, including Trinity Springs, and many grocery retailers, have shipped donated bottled water to the affected areas, while relief agencies work diligently to provide safe, clean water.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are making a nationwide case for diabetes screenings, by hosting screening and public education events at almost 4,000 stores on Sept 24.

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island has become the first state in the Union to launch a collection and recycling program for plastic grocery bags, and supermarkets are prominent players in the initiative. The program, known as "ReStore" and introduced at the start of Labor Day weekend, is free for both consumers and the 61 stores around the state that feature the effort's blue collection barrels.

SETPEMBER 6, 2005 -- One week after Hurricane Katrina's fury was unleashed on the Gulf Coast region -- leaving thousands homeless, hungry, and worse -- retailers continue looking for ways to help. Several companies late last week were sending truckloads -- and even planeloads -- of product to local relief agencies and needy refugees, while many more are jumping in to collect customer donations for American Red Cross and other organizations.

NATICK, Mass. ¿ BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday said that its sales for August 2005 rose 12 percent to $598.0 million, from $534.1 million in the same period last year. On a comparable-club basis, sales grew 5.6 percent for the month, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of about 3.4 percent, and healthy comp increases of food.

NEW YORK -- As we enter National Coupon Month, data from the Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) Coupon Council, a coupon advocacy group, shows that 76 percent of the general population uses coupons, citing the deal-enjoyment factor as a primary reason.