Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

PATERSON, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. tomorrow will open 10 every-day-low-price Food Basics grocery stores throughout the metropolitan Detroit area, giving away a $70 store gift certificate every hour at all 10 locations, starting at 8:00 a.m., when the stores open to the public.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertson's Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire JS USA Holdings Inc., which operates under the banners of Shaw's and Star Markets.

DALLAS - Leading convenience-store chain 7-Eleven Inc. has streamlined its application and selection process for potential suppliers by launching a vendor/supplier application that uses Internet-based technology.

WASHINGTON - The Food Marketing Institute today applauded Wednesday's vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for the next four years.

AMSTERDAM - Ahold today announced it has appointed two people to fill key positions at its U.S. Foodservice unit.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Safeway Inc. announced the appointment of Robert L. Edwards as its new e.v.p. and c.f.o. Edwards will oversee the company's finance, investor relations, information technology, real estate and legal functions.

BOSTON - The Gillette Company announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Rembrandt brand of at-home and professional teeth-whitening products from privately-held Den-Mat Corporation of Santa Maria, Calif.

ST. LOUIS - Aurora Foods Inc. on Friday announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and has completed its previously announced merger with Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation. The reorganized company has been renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. and is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J.