Trading Partners

Fleming Cos. Inc., the No. 2 U.S. wholesale food supplier behind Supervalu Inc., today reported a 52 percent increase in third quarter 2001 net earnings to $22.8 million, or $0.47 per share, after adjustments to exclude strategic plan charges and one-time items, compared to $15.0 million, or $0.37 per share, in the third quarter of 2000.

Supermarkets have slashed their fuel prices as a result of a worldwide plunge in oil prices in the wake of the terror attacks on the US.

Spartan Stores Inc. on Thursday reported financial results for its fiscal 2002 second quarter, which ended September 15, 2001. Sales increased 7.5 percent to $841.1 million from $782.3 million for fiscal 2001's 12-week second quarter.

GlobalNetXchange, the leading global business-to-business online marketplace for the retail industry, on Wednesday announced that members of the exchange have conducted 580 auctions worth $500 million in the third quarter alone.

Fleming has launched a major new National Selling Event for independent retail customers, leveraging Fleming's centralized procurement operation to provide customers bonus deals that provide lower prices on leading national brand products.

In testimony before the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, C. Manly Molpus, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, outlined a four-point plan to strengthen the current food safety regulatory structure rather than embarking upon a "radical restructuring" of the agencies charged with overseeing the U.S. food supply.

The Worldwide Retail Exchange (WWRE) on Thursday announced the commercial launch of the WWRE Collaborative Planner, version 2.0, to all 58 Exchange members and their trading partners.

Food Distributors International (FDI) and the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc. (NASFT) announced that they have agreed on an initiative to develop strong inter-organizational ties under which FDI will provide services to all of the specialty food organization's members.