Nonfoods

NEW YORK - Product innovations, convenience, and healthy lifestyles may juice up fruit product sales, according to a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

CINCINNATI - After launching its Signature Collection online and through phone orders in September 2003, Procter & Gamble's Millstone Coffee brand is introducing two of these specialty coffees to be sold at grocery and retail stores throughout the country starting this fall.

BOULDER, Colo. - Increased direct-store expenses and softer-than-expected sales in the second quarter led to a drop in Wild Oats Markets, Inc.'s second-quarter net income, the company said in an earnings conference call yesterday morning.

COMPTON, Calif. - An internal company memo has revealed that, in a possible violation of federal law, Ralphs let locked-out employees work during the nearly five-month Southern California labor dispute.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Ruddick Corp., parent company of the regional Harris Teeter supermarket chain, late last week reported that consolidated sales for its third fiscal quarter ended June 27 grew 2.6 percent to $703 million from $685 million in the prior-year quarter.

Smart operators such as Supervalu are heeding the call from trade groups to protect the supermarket's core grocery business.

Cub Foods uses agility and precision to compete in the tough home entertainment category.

As more retailers put loss prevention at the forefront, they'll need to rely on a mix of new technology and basic training -- with commitment from the executive suite down to the checkout line.