Nonfoods

AUSTIN, Texas -- A nationwide survey released yesterday by Whole Foods Market shows that meat is as popular as ever in the United States: Americans eat meat an average of 4.2 times a week, or 218 times a year. The survey additionally revealed, however, that along with flavor, safety and the humane treatment of animals were the top motives for selecting high-quality meat and poultry.

CHICAGO -- With the official start of the 2006 hurricane season -- predicted to be very active -- just weeks away, Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) has released insights from an exhaustive analysis of CPG product demand before and after the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, summarized in a four-part "Times & Trends" series.

Washington -- The American Meat Institute (AMI) yesterday released a Spanish-language version of its consumer brochure on avian influenza (AI).

MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu, Inc. here said yesterday that it has appointed new executive management team to lead the company when its acquisition of Albertson's, Inc. retail properties is completed. The acquisition, which will create the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer, is expected to wrap up next month, following special shareholder meetings May 30.

SEATTLE -- PCC Natural Markets (PCC) here will open its eighth store, in Redmond, Wash. on Wed. May 17. The 23,382-square-foot store will offer a wide selection of organic and natural products, while cutting-edge building enhancements that maximize energy efficiency and minimize waste are expected to qualify the store for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification -- only the third grocery store in the United States to earn this distinction -- and the first to attain the LEED Gold level.

CHICAGO -- Retailers may actually be damaging the potential growth opportunities of their private label business, according to a study conducted by Damon Worldwide, ACNielsen, and DamandTec. The study, which spanned more than a year and involved over 200 stores at multiple retailers, was released during Daymon Worldwide¿s biannual forum, held here this weekend.

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.