Nonfoods

BOULDER, Colo. -- Things were looking up for Wild Oats Markets here at the end of last week, after a stock analyst from RBC Capital Market gave the chain's stock an upgrade to outperform from sector perform, giving as his reason evidence that same-store sales were accelerating faster than expected, and healthy performance in the California market.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A 64,000-square-foot, 28-year-old Wegmans on Dick Road store in Depew, N.Y. closed Saturday evening so it could be torn down to make way for a bigger, better version.

LONDON -- Figures from Solution Product System, Ltd.'s (SPSL) Retail Traffic Index indicate that the morning rush-hour bombings here late last week have had a serious negative impact on retail, according to a published report.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc., based here, said yesterday that June sales went up 8.9 percent to $796.1 million, from $730.9 million last year. Led by strong performance in food categories, sales on a comparable-club basis grew 4.3 percent in June, despite a negative effect from sales of gasoline of about 30 basis points.

CUDAHY, Wisc. -- Patrick Cudahy, Inc., a Smithfield Foods division here that produces bacon, ham, salamis, and other meats, said yesterday it has appointed Ramon Aldape to lead sales and marketing efforts of the company's ethnic brands.

SWEDEN -- Global furniture retailer Ikea here is planning to roll out a line of private label food products in its outlets beginning next year, according to published reports. The new venture builds on the retailer's success with Swedish-inspired restaurants and food stores located in its stores.

SAN DIEGO -- Henry's Farmers Market, the fresh foods grocery store chain owned by Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats plans to hold a grand re-opening of its two newly remodeled stores in Encinitas and Poway July 27.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif -- The new owners at Sun World International, LLC have installed a former Dole Food executive, Bruce C. Burton, as Sunworld's c.e.o., effective July 18, 2005.