Nonfoods

MONTREAL -- Grappling with tough competition in the province of Ontario, including what the company has deemed "very aggressive" promotional activity, Metro here posted net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2007 of $57.6 million (US $58.4 million), compared to $78.9 million (US $80.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2007. Fully diluted net earnings per share were 49 cents vs. 68 cents.

NATICK, Mass. -- With positive sales results largely due to its "continued strength in perishable foods," in the words of c.e.o. Herb Zarkin during a conference call, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted net income of $22.7 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2007, vs. net income of $18.3 million, or 28 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago period.

SEATTLE, Wash. - Natural and organic foods retailer PCC Natural Markets is shooting for LEED Platinum Certification - the U.S. Green Building Council's highest level of certification - with the construction of its ninth store, scheduled to open mid-2008 in Edmonds, Wash.

ABINGDON, Va. -- As fuel prices continue to climb, K-VA-T/Food City here said it is bringing back its highly successful Fuel Bucks saving program to locations throughout its market area.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. -- Unilever here said yesterday it has chosen John LeBoutillier to lead a newly created U.S. Ice Cream Leadership Team. LeBoutillier will join Unilever on Dec. 1 from Kraft Foods, where he held senior leadership positions in the coffee, crackers, desserts, and beverages businesses.

AUSTIN, Tex. -- Organic and natural foods super-chain Whole Foods Market, Inc. is looking downturn-proof these days, posting healthy gains in fourth-quarter sales and comps despite weakened economic conditions in ots core California market and elsewhere in the nation.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. -- Unilever here said yesterday it has chosen John LeBoutillier to lead a newly created U.S. Ice Cream Leadership Team. LeBoutillier will join Unilever on Dec. 1 from Kraft Foods, where he held senior leadership positions in the coffee, crackers, desserts, and beverages businesses.

SEATTLE, Wash. - Natural and organic foods retailer PCC Natural Markets is shooting for LEED Platinum Certification - the U.S. Green Building Council's highest level of certification - with the construction of its ninth store, scheduled to open mid-2008 in Edmonds, Wash.