Perimeter

WASHINGTON -- In a media briefing held here yesterday, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) detailed several suggestions for improving nutrition labeling on packaged foods and beverages, including specific recommendations for single-serve packages.

NEW YORK -- Although many research studies have documented that Hispanic consumers are more brand loyal than the general population, that doesn't mean that they cannot be lured by a well-planned store label program. That was the message of Ana Lilienfeld, senior director of strategy, and Albert Greenwood, business development manager, for Daymon Worldwide, a private label super-broker, during a session held yesterday here at the Expo Comida Latina trade show.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Charlie Brown and his friends are returning to Wal-Mart stores nationwide for the second year with activity books, stickers, point of sale materials and recipes designed to make learning about and eating fruits and vegetables part of Halloween fun.

Compassion has poured forth from many in the retailing community in the past week, demonstrating the industry's eagerness to do what it can to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

UNITED KINGDOM -- In a move that U.S. retailers may likely copy, Wal-Mart-owned Asda in the United Kingdom said it is removing salt from its entire range of canned vegetables. As a result, customers will consume 168 metric tons less salt each year.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Organic to Go (OTG) an all-natural fast casual organic cafe, catering retailer, and delivery grocery company based here, said yesterday that in addition to the three retail stores it recently launched in Los Angeles, it plans to open three locations in Orange County in early autumn. OTG offers consumers prepared sandwiches, salads, soups, and entrees.

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company here is expanding and renovating its supermarket at The Plaza at Shelter Cove shopping center in Hilton Head, a popular resort area in coastal South Carolina, to keep up with its customers' upscale tastes.

SETPEMBER 6, 2005 -- One week after Hurricane Katrina's fury was unleashed on the Gulf Coast region -- leaving thousands homeless, hungry, and worse -- retailers continue looking for ways to help. Several companies late last week were sending truckloads -- and even planeloads -- of product to local relief agencies and needy refugees, while many more are jumping in to collect customer donations for American Red Cross and other organizations.