Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

JACKSON, Mich. -- Dawn Food Products, Inc., based here, one of the world's largest independently owned bakery manufacturers and distributors, said it will increase prices effective Oct. 1 across all manufactured product lines, to offset increasing energy and fuel costs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- John M. Kennedy has been named government relations project manager for the California Grocers Association (CGA), the organization said Friday.

NEW YORK -- The inaugural Hispanic Retail 360 Conference & Product Showcase, produced by the Retail Group of VNU Business Media and VNU Expositions, is expected to sell out, the show's organizers said yesterday. More than 140 executives representing grocery and other retail channels will be joined by some 200 consumer product manufacturers, ethnic food suppliers, and distributors, and service companies at the show, to be held Sept. 26-27 at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

Compassion has poured forth from many in the retailing community in the past week, demonstrating the industry's eagerness to do what it can to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

CHICAGO -- It's the end of an era. The board of IGA, Inc. here said yesterday that it would commence a search for a new c.e.o. with "fresh thinking," to replace long-time head Thomas S. Haggai, who will surrender the c.e.o. mantle once a new top executive is in place.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Charlie Brown and his friends are returning to Wal-Mart stores nationwide for the second year with activity books, stickers, point of sale materials and recipes designed to make learning about and eating fruits and vegetables part of Halloween fun.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Leading frozen vegetable supplier Birds Eye Foods here has named Neil Harrison chairman, president, and c.e.o. He succeeds Dennis M. Mullen, who is stepping down from active management but is making himself available as a consultant to the company.

LONDON, United Kingdom -- Sainsbury's Supermarkets is installing digital media screens at eight locations in a pilot that -- if successful -- will continue in a 100-store rollout across the United Kingdom.