Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

NEW YORK -- Stop & Shop, Publix, Meijer, and Kroger are among the supermarket operators conjuring up special events to promote tonight's release of the latest book in the hugely successful Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," by J.K. Rowling.

CHICAGO -- As more supermarkets take on targeted marketing, the last thing they may be thinking about is whether or not their shoppers are obese or diabetic. But a new report from Information Resources, Inc. here suggests that since chronic sufferers are strongly influenced by their health conditions, retailers and manufacturers have an opportunity to develop relationships with them while simultaneously driving product sales across categories.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumer packaged goods manufacturers are responding in a major way to an increasingly obese and more health-conscious nation, according to new survey data released here by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In aiming to more accurately reflect the scope and function of its mission, the Grocery Manufacturers of America has changed its name to the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation, said today it promoted Peter Whitsett, 39, to senior vice president and Kmart merchandising officer, effective immediately.

DUSSELDORF, Germany -- Metro Group here yesterday released numbers that demonstrated the success of its collaborative planning forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) strategy.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Strong international sales growth and the timing of the Fourth of July holiday, which added another day to the reporting period, boosted Costco Wholesale Corp.'s net sales and total comp sales for the 5-weeks ended July 3.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc., based here, said yesterday that June sales went up 8.9 percent to $796.1 million, from $730.9 million last year. Led by strong performance in food categories, sales on a comparable-club basis grew 4.3 percent in June, despite a negative effect from sales of gasoline of about 30 basis points.