Trading Partners

Portland, Ore. -- Mark Heckman, an expert on retail research and trends, has been named to the newly created position of v.p., retail insights at Sorensen Associates, an in-store market research firm serving major retailers and CPG companies.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Declining retail gross profits prompted Nash Finch Co. here to revise its earnings outlook for 2005 downward.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. ¿ The world¿s largest retailer is going to start taking more responsibility for the business standards of its global suppliers, by holding them more accountable for environmental and social standards at factories overseas, citing rising public expectations.

NEW YORK ¿- Safety is one of the most basic factors driving consumer food-purchasing behaviors, and consumer awareness of food safety issues is high, according to a new report jointly released by Packaged Facts and Wharf Research.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores has selected Wan Ling Martello, a financial veteran with experience at Borden Foods and Kraft Foods, as s.v.p. and c.f.o. for its international operations. Martello will join the company at headquarters here Nov. 14.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. ¿- Ralphs Grocery Co. is dropping Tree of Life, Inc. here as its natural and specialty food distributor. Tree of Life officials said the parting of the ways with the grocer will have little impact on its overall financial health.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Trax Retail Solutions, a loss prevention and store operations control solutions, added 15 new retailers to its list of customers, and expanded its relationship with seven additional retailers.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Green Hills Farms plans to launch a biometric payment system with enhanced loyalty functionality. The system, called SmartShop, powered by biometric solution provider Pay By Touch, San Francisco, Calif., uses a finger scan not only to pay but also to access customized coupons, promotions, and rewards from an in-store kiosk.