Research & Analysis

SAN FRANCISCO - The union representing striking Southern California grocery workers and three big U.S. supermarket chains are expected to resume talks on Tuesday, officials announced Saturday.

Hy-Vee c.e.o. Ron Pearson credits the autonomy of the chain's employees for making it so successful. The corporate culture empowers associates at all levels to make decisions and rewards them for it. The company revolves around its store directors, who are permitted to make all decisions about store operations, including whether to buy from Hy-Vee's warehouse.

As beef prices reach record highs, retailers need to stock up on alternative proteins or risk losing considerable sales and consumer interest in one of the supermarket's most influential profit centers.

INDIANAPOLIS - Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. has reported results of operations for the 16 weeks ended Oct. 11.

DALLAS, TORONTO, and HONG KONG - Innovax Corp., Sweda Canada, Inc., and Sweda International, Ltd. yesterday announced an agreement to form a global point-of-sale solutions company, operating under the Sweda Group umbrella, to offer hardware, software, consulting, and support services to the supermarket and food services industries.

SAO PAULO, Brazil - A source close to the deal says Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is close to an agreement to purchase Bompreco, Brazil's third-biggest retailer, from Ahold, Reuters reports.

WASHINGTON - During one of the most challenging periods in the recent recession, food retailers turned in a resilient economic performance, according to "FMI's Annual Financial Review, 2002-2003," released here today by the Food Marketing Institute.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - In another move to enhance its CCCnet marketing conference preparation and follow-up toolset, the General Merchandise Distributors Council has selected Kwikee Systems of Peoria, Ill. to provide product imaging and data collection services for 2004.