Trading Partners

Wakefield, Mass. - Marks & Spencer has launched a successful rollout of the Marketmax Automation & Optimization (A&O) retail space planning software.

DALLAS - Fleming on Wednesday announced J.R. Campbell will join the company as executive vice president, merchandising and supply. Most recently, Campbell served as president, global sourcing division for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives today is slated to push a $2.9 billion package that boosts vaccine stockpiles and protects food and water supplies as part of Congress' response to the terrorist attacks, The Associated Press reports.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. today reported earnings of $0.32 per diluted share, excluding costs related to a merger and one-time expenses, for the third quarter endedNov. 10, 2001. These results represent an increase of 14.3% over the third quarter of 2000, on the same basis.

CHICAGO - Transora, the business-to-business online exchange that links manufacturers, suppliers and retailers in food, beverage and packaged goods industries among others, has laid off about 15 percent of its work force, and its CEO says a merger with another exchange is a possibility, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

CINCINNATI - Chiquita Brands International Inc. today filed in Federal Court in Cincinnati a Pre-Arranged Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union's highest court today rejected demands from UK supermarket giant Tesco for the right to import Levi's jeans from the United States, the BBC reported.

LONDON - Sales of organic food in the UK are continuing to increase faster than in any other European country, according to a report cited by BBC news.