Center Store

WAWA, Pa. ¿ Wawa, Inc., one of the nation's leading convenience store operators, has named Howard Stoeckel its first nonfamily c.e.o.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Safeway, Inc. has begun separating the nonperishables side of its marketing function into five distinct business groups, in a move designed to further strengthen its centralized marketing organization while retaining retail division flexibility.

WASHINGTON - With the holidays fast approaching, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is encouraging retailers to take advantage of an array of information available to help consumers prepare safe, easy, and delicious meals.

TROY, Mich. - Kmart Holding Corp. yesterday launched the Kmart Rewards credit card, which is being managed by Prospect Heights, Ill.-based HSBC-North America's retail services business, a leading issuer of private label (merchant-branded) credit cards in the United States.

PITTSBURGH ¿ Even if the Pittsburgh Steelers are defeated by their cross-state NFL rivals the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, Steel City residents could still walk away winners as a result of a new price reduction strategy rolled out by the market leading supermarket chain Giant Eagle.

NAPLES, Fla. - Delhaize Group subsidiary Kash n' Karry is debuting its new retail concept, Sweetbay, here on Saturday. The new banner will eventually replace all Kash n' Karry stores in Florida.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Regional grocery and general merchandise retailer Meijer will be giving away thousands of diabetes education kits this weekend, as the company kicks off a month-long focus on the chronic disease that affects at least 17 million Americans.

THIBODAUX, La. - Rouses Markets, Louisiana's largest independent grocer, has announced plans to build a second store in St. Tammany Parish. The 62,000-square-foot upscale store, a newer concept known as the "Epicurean Market," will feature a full-service butcher shop, seafood market, deli, cafe, floral shop, and one of the largest supermarket selections of wines in the state.