Center Store

WOOSTER, Ohio - K-VA-T Food Stores, Giant Eagle, Buehler Food Markets, Ukrop's Super Markets, and Ray's Food Place are where the beef is -- the Certified Angus Beef, that is.

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Leading drugstore chain Walgreen Co. said yesterday it achieved record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2004, ending Aug. 31. In addition, Walgreens announced its 30th consecutive year of record sales and profits.

SALISBURY, N.C. - Responding to an urgent need in flood-ravaged western North Carolina, Food Lion and its vendor partners are donating and delivering a truckload of cleaning supplies and food to an Asheville relief organization.

BOULDER, Colo. - Wild Oats Markets, Inc. yesterday said that Andre Halston has joined the company as v.p. of food service and corporate executive chef.

DENVER - America's beef producers have launched two new retailer-friendly tools to help meat department associates increase sales.

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES - Diversified Business Communications (DBC), organizer of Expo Comida Latina (ECL) -- the only major U.S.-based food and beverage trade show for Hispanic foods -- said yesterday that the show will expand to San Antonio, Texas in 2005.

DETROIT - Farmer Jack Food Markets, an operating unit of the Montvale, N.J.-based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., has moved to the next step of freshness by asking customers to "Take the Fresh Challenge," which urges that if a customer finds a product in the store that is not fresh or is out of date, it will be replaced free.

RICHMOND, Va. - Performance Food Group says it is exploring strategic alternatives for its Salinas, Calif.-based Fresh Express produce division and has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to assist in the process.