Nonfoods

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here said 12 retailers representing more than 9,500 stores nationwide have signed the new Fruits & Veggies--More Matters license agreement to date, and are making plans to incorporate the new slogan into their companies' marketing efforts.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said yesterday its October same-store sales rose a modest 0.5 percent in the U.S., which was below its already lowered expectations, and represented the smallest gain in more than two years.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted October 2006 sales of $602.6 million, a 2.5 percent rise from the $588.1 million reported in the year-ago period. However, despite a strong showing from some grocery categories, comparable-club sales declined 0.7 percent for the month, including a negative impact from gas sales of 2.5 percent.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted October 2006 sales of $602.6 million, a 2.5 percent rise from the $588.1 million reported in the year-ago period. However, despite a strong showing from some grocery categories, comparable-club sales declined 0.7 percent for the month, including a negative impact from gas sales of 2.5 percent.

SEATTLE -- Supermarket wholesaler Associated Grocers of Seattle yesterday promoted Terry Reinig to the position of meat manager of AG's meat department.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The competitive Michigan marketplace grew more so this week, when The Fresh Market opened its first southeast Michigan store here, a 26,000-square-foot unit with an old-style butcher shop, seafood center, bakery, florist, and specialty items along with produce, frozen foods, and grocery products.

KANSAS CITY -- The $4 generic drug movement picked up more steam this week when Price Chopper, this market's most pervasive grocery banner, declared it would offer more than 300 generic prescriptions at $4 each at 29 store pharmacies in the Kansas City area, plus two in Topeka and two in St. Joseph.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Price Chopper Supermarkets here has become the first independently owned retailer to sign on to sell Wild Oats branded natural and organic products. The grocer will carry "hundreds" of the super natural chain's items at all 115 of its stores in six Northeastern states.