Trading Partners

DUSSELDORF, Germany -- The METRO Group said it is planning to expand the use of RFID communications to bring its suppliers closer to the frontlines in the supply chain.

WASHINGTON -- The latest Customer Centricity Study, conducted by Ogden Associates for the NRF Foundation here, shows just how important the customer really is to retailers. Key among the findings: More and more retailers are utilizing customer data (customer insight) to improve marketing programs and merchandise offerings -- a fundamental yet often elusive goal of retailers' customer relationship management (CRM) programs.

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle, Inc. here has uncovered substantial cost savings on new uniforms for the approximately 36,000 employees at its 216 supermarkets and 94 GetGo fuel and convenience locations, the chain said yesterday.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Associated Food Stores, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Supervalu, Unified Western Grocers, Wal-Mart, and Wegmans Food Markets combined their voices in a chorus to urge suppliers to adopt a number of strategic activities to expand data synchronization.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Retailers should expect to start seeing the redesigned $10 bill in their stores, as the new note entered circulation yesterday at the National Archives, home of the U.S. Constitution -- which figures prominently in the new note's design.

MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 3,300 grocery stores operated by chains including Kroger, Giant Foods, HEB, Whole Foods, and Wild Oats, are joining forces with 45 organic product manufacturers to present "Go Organic! for Earth Day," the second annual national educational and promotional campaign to encourage people to learn about and try organic products.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Associated Grocers of New England here said it has expanded and sharpened its C-store program, under the direction of C-store sales manager Steve Felton, to become more competitive and on trend.

CHICAGO -- ACNielsen and Spectra, companies of VNU, Inc., are preparing for an even bigger and better Consumer 360 2006 conference, the companies said yesterday. Consumer 360 will be held May 16-18 at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert, Calif., featuring the theme, "What's Next? in the Fast-Moving Consumer Packaged Goods Industry (FMCG)."