Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- BI-LO here said it is upgrading its ability to micro-market to shoppers, by deploying planning and forecasting applications that enable it to tailor shelf assortments tailored to more specific local customer demand.

MCLEAN, Va. -- The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), based here, yesterday issued a heartfelt tribute to one of its own -- Gerald E. "Gerry" Thomas, inventor of the TV dinner, who died in Paradise Valley, Ariz. this week of cancer at the age of 83.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Overcoming lower sales with expense reductions, Spartan Stores' profit climbed 71 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended June 18, while earnings rose to $2.7 million, or 12 cents per share, from $1.6 million, or 8 cents per share, a year earlier.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Raising its earnings outlook for the full year, Nash Finch moved the needle forward with second-quarter net profits of $9.7 million, or 75 cents a share, reversing a year-ago loss stemming from the closings of 18 stores as recent acquisitions bolstered sales 19.8 percent to $1.085 billion. For the second quarter of 2004, the company had reported a net loss of $15.6 million, or $1.26 per diluted share.

WASHINGTON -- In a true "dog-eat-dog" contest, New York City and Chicago ran neck and neck for the title of "City Offering the Best Hot Dogs," according to new poll data from the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC).

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- For the second straight year, the cost of unsaleable products has declined for CPG manufacturers, according to the 2005 Unsaleables Benchmark Report, which was released yesterday at the Joint Unsaleables Management Conference here, which is produced by GMA in conjunction with FMI, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

PLEASANTON -- Safeway, Inc., based here, yesterday launched a companywide back-to-school program with the involvement of over 40 food companies, to help customers raise money for their local schools.

PITTSBURGH -- H.J. Heinz Co., based here, has agreed to purchase privately held Nancy's Specialty Foods, Inc. -- producers of the Nancy's brand of premium appetizers, quiche entrees, and desserts -- from affiliates of Kohlberg & Co., LLC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.