Center Store

TORONTO -- This week at Grocery Innovations Canada 2005, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) gave out the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards to noteworthy independent grocers from across Canada.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Scott Poole, v.p./division merchandise manager for Wal-Mart Supercenters, was recently elected chairman of the board for the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) during the trade group's annual membership meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- To celebrate the upcoming grand opening of its latest Bashas¿ unit here, family-owned regional supermarket chain Bashas' is holding two free events next week -- a sneak preview of the new store and indoor trick-or-treating.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. ¿ The world¿s largest retailer is going to start taking more responsibility for the business standards of its global suppliers, by holding them more accountable for environmental and social standards at factories overseas, citing rising public expectations.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Leveraging its expertise in small-box retailing, produce procurement, and private label marketing, retailer/distributor Supervalu here is bursting onto the growing retail natural and organic foods scene with Sunflower Market, a new value-priced retail concept. The first Sunflower Market is scheduled to open in Indianapolis in January 2006, the company said yesterday at its investor conference.

WATERLOO, Ontario -- Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, a 14-store Canadian independent based here, plans to improve delivery productivity and customer service by deploying a suite of services for its transportation, logistics, manufacturing, retail and distribution enterprises

PITTSBURGH -- Karen L. Alber has joined H.J. Heinz Company as v.p. and c.i.o. She comes to Heinz from Pepsico, after 19 years of experience in supply chain management, systems implementation, operations, process improvement, and change management.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Spurred by concerns about the potential effect of Medicaid budget cuts on health care, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) said yesterday that they had created the Coalition for Meaningful Medicaid Reform (CMMR). A series of ads that begins running today reflects the group's desire for "meaningful changes to Medicaid."