Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- In a move to strengthen its merchandising efforts, discount chain Dollar General is realigning its merchandising function, placing it under two general merchandise managers who will report to Beryl J. Buley, division president of merchandising, marketing, and supply chain.

NEW YORK -- Regional grocer Balducci's plans to upgrade its point-of-sale systems chainwide rollout, including its Food Lover's Market stores in Manhattan and Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON -- The 2006 Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show, to be held May 7 to May 9 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, promises to present attendees with a wealth of activities, according to the industry trade group.

WASHINGTON -- The Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association are among the industry trade groups that praised yesterday's passage of H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act. The Senate will consider the bill next.

WASHINGTON -- The latest Customer Centricity Study, conducted by Ogden Associates for the NRF Foundation here, shows just how important the customer really is to retailers. Key among the findings: More and more retailers are utilizing customer data (customer insight) to improve marketing programs and merchandise offerings -- a fundamental yet often elusive goal of retailers' customer relationship management (CRM) programs.

DUSSELDORF, Germany -- The METRO Group said it is planning to expand the use of RFID communications to bring its suppliers closer to the frontlines in the supply chain.

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle, Inc. here has uncovered substantial cost savings on new uniforms for the approximately 36,000 employees at its 216 supermarkets and 94 GetGo fuel and convenience locations, the chain said yesterday.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Associated Food Stores, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Supervalu, Unified Western Grocers, Wal-Mart, and Wegmans Food Markets combined their voices in a chorus to urge suppliers to adopt a number of strategic activities to expand data synchronization.