Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

QUINCY, Mass. -- In celebration of Black History Month, Ahold USA and the Stop & Shop Supermarket Co./Giant Food, LLC will be hosting their inaugural Supplier Diversity Luncheon at the Quincy Marriott here on Feb. 22. More than 150 minority and women-owned Enterprises will be represented.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Allister P. Graham, currently chairman of the board of Nash Finch here, has been named the company's interim c.e.o..

QUINCY, Mass. -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. here has teamed with Omron, a manufacturer of home blood pressure kits, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis, for "Know Your Numbers" campaign, which provides consumers with information on the importance of controlling and monitoring their blood pressure. The program will take place at all Stop & Shop pharmacies throughout February, which is Heart Health Month.

CINCINNATI -- The Procter & Gamble Co. here has filed a lawsuit against Vi-Jon Industries, a private label manufacturer of health and beauty products, alleging that Vi-Jon infringed and diluted the unique trade dress of P&G's Crest Pro-Health antiplaque/antigingivitis oral rinse, and also engaged in false advertising of its mouthwash product. The Vi-Jon product is sold in retail stores under store brand names.

HONG KONG and GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- GS1 Hong Kong and GXS yesterday launched the GS1 HK Data Pool, which will enable enterprises in Hong Kong and the Pan Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region to exchange GS1 standards-compliant product information with their global trading partners.

WASHINGTON -- C. Manly Molpus, president and c.e.o. of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) since 1990, yesterday formally announced his intention to leave the position at the end of this year.

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration yesterday issued draft guidance on what the term "whole grain" may include. The guidance will assist manufacturers with what the FDA considers appropriate for food label statements related to "whole grain" content, while also providing consumers a consistent definition.

Tchnology is the new labor management tool of choice for cutting costs, but it also has to keep employees and customers happy.