Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. here is wasting no time soliciting SaveRite shoppers in the metro Atlanta market. On Wednesday, June 22 -- the day Winn-Dixie disclosed its latest plan for closing stores -- the Cincinnati-based chain ran a newspaper ad that included the message that Kroger "Welcomes SaveRite Customers!"

NEW YORK -- Buoyed by three straight years double-digit gains, the market for natural personal care products reached $5 billion in 2004, increasing by more than 50 percent since 2000, according to a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

PHILADELPHIA--A nationwide study conducted by ARAMARK here indicated that demand for vegan meals is rising on college campuses.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- Specialty produce supplier Frieda's Inc. made two key changes to its sales and marketing departments, with the promotions of two key staff members.

PLEASANTON, Calif. and CINCINNATI Ohio -- In a nod to the seriousness of the spread of the illegal drug methamphetamine, Safeway Inc. and the Kroger Co. said yesterday they will begin moving certain over-the-counter pseudoephedrine (PSE) medications to what they called secure locations in the store, such as behind in-store pharmacy counters.

NEW YORK -- According to a national study, consumers are increasingly trusting food retailers and manufacturers to provide them with information on nutrition, health, and cooking. Conducted this month by knowledge services company FIND/SVP, among 1,000 consumers, the study found that 78 percent of those polled would have confidence in nutritional advice from a food retailer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Magruder's Supermarkets, a 10-store independent chain with roots dating back a century this month, began building a wireless infrastructure in every store to provide flexibility in the locations and movement of intelligent devices throughout each location, and minimize points of failure in the communication infrastructures to these devices.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Buy For Less, a regional grocery chain with locations throughout central Oklahoma, plans to install point-of-purchase coupon dispensing and in-store advertising solutions in all 10 of its locations.