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ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold will acquire up to 67 Julius Meinl supermarkets in the Czech Republic for an undisclosed sum, the global retailer based here said yesterday. As its first acquisition since embarking on its "Road to Recovery" three years ago in the wake of a major accounting scandal, the deal will increase Ahold's store count in the Czech Republic to about 300, and in Central Europe to approximately 520.

One retailer's firsthand account of devastation and recovery in the face of Hurricane Ivan shows how grocers both give and receive when disaster strikes.

SAN ANTONIO -- Central Market, the successful gourmet spinoff of H.E. Butt Grocery Co. here, continues to build a distinctive own-brand franchise for its seven Texas stores. The retailer last week brought shoppers up to date in its e-mail newsletter, touting an armload of products bearing the CM private label.

Clamping down on retail losses should be everybody's business.

Many retailers continue to be wary of full-on case-ready conversion, but its influence will nonetheless continue to spread.

They may be more challenging to run in certain respects, but extreme-value stores can really pay off for certain small operators.

While snacks, beer, and soft drinks score biggest for Super Bowl, retailers can gain yardage with many nontraditional products, too.

FISHERS, N.Y. -- The New York Apple Association in September will roll out a crisp consumer advertising and public relations campaign to promote the 2005 crop.