Trading Partners

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumer packaged goods manufacturers are responding in a major way to an increasingly obese and more health-conscious nation, according to new survey data released here by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In aiming to more accurately reflect the scope and function of its mission, the Grocery Manufacturers of America has changed its name to the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation, said today it promoted Peter Whitsett, 39, to senior vice president and Kmart merchandising officer, effective immediately.

DUSSELDORF, Germany -- Metro Group here yesterday released numbers that demonstrated the success of its collaborative planning forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) strategy.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Strong international sales growth and the timing of the Fourth of July holiday, which added another day to the reporting period, boosted Costco Wholesale Corp.'s net sales and total comp sales for the 5-weeks ended July 3.

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle, Inc. said yesterday that it is partnering with Courtenay, B.C.-based franchise Island Ink-Jet to refill computer printer ink cartridges for shoppers at three of its stores in western Pennsylvania. Technicians at those stores will refill empty ink cartridges for $4.95 to $17.95, a savings of as much as 70 percent vs. buying new cartridges, the partners said.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Retailers and manufacturers say category management is still "critically important," but that doesn't mean they are applying the discipline as much as they once were, new research from ACNielsen U.S. indicates. Category management is in the throes of a transition, as traditional ways of applying the practice are apparently losing favor with the industry, according to the marketing information firm's 14th Annual Trade Promotion Practices and Emerging Issues Study, released yesterday.

Bill's Fresh Markets is a plucky family-owned company that's managed to find success on the Bentonville behemoth's home turf.