Nonfoods

Industry executives turn to compact continuing education programs for new insights and opportunities.

In the aftermath of Fleming's implosion, a new order of wholesaling has arisen for large national retailers and regional players and co-ops alike.

Several greeting card companies are developing high-quality designs and merchandising tools to help supermarkets jump-start sales and increase profits.

The sales trends in liquor merchandising -- exotic flavors, holiday gift packs, low-carb diets, and superpremium products -- are so promising it's almost scary.

CHICAGO - Target Corp. is planning an expansion of a new prototype store model that it quietly unveiled in October, adding more food items and reorganizing departments in hopes of getting more shoppers into the discount stores.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. - Zocor, the cholesterol-lowering drug from Merck & Co. based here has been approved for over-the-counter use in the U.K., allowing British consumers to buy it without a prescription. According to reports, industry experts believe that may set the stage for Zocor eventually being sold over-the-counter in the United States.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. today cut its earnings forecast by 10 percent in its first profit warning since going public four years ago, citing the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets as a negative factor.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Birds Eye Foods, Inc., the nation's leader in manufacturing and marketing frozen vegetables and a major processor of other food products, said it intends to implement across-the-board price increases on all product categories, including store brands, effective June 28, 2004. The increases are expected to be in the range of 5 percent to 7 percent.