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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Gas Stations Without Gas Profits
Thornton Oil Corp. is looking to create stores that are compelling for what is sold inside, with zero reliance on gasoline margins for 2007 as it looks at the future…
Are Consumers Becoming Food Fashionistas?
Wendy Liebmann, president, WSL Strategic Retail said that, “today, the speed at which Americans adopt new types of food is akin only to speed at which they adopt new fashions…
A Central Market Grows in Dallas
H-E-B has announced that it opened a new Central Market in Dallas yesterday. This is the third Central Market store serving the Dallas area and it will be the 300th…
Penn Traffic Sets 21st Century Precedent, Says President
In presenting how Penn Traffic Company plans to grow its business and battle increasing costs at its annual meeting in Syracuse, N.Y., President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph V. Fisher…
Ralphs’ Damages Reduced in Harassment Case
a San Diego judge reduced the $30 million punitive damages verdict in a sexual harassment case against Ralphs Grocery Co. to $8.25 million. Are sexual and other forms of discrimination/abuse…
Antioxidant-rich Foods Boost Memory Best
Two new animal studies have found that antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can improve learning and memory, and minimize the effect of aging on the brain. And, certain of these…
Carb Cutter Gains Wal-Mart Distribution
Health & Nutrition Systems International (HNS) has begun distributing its Carb Cutter brand through more than 2,800 Wal-Mart stores throughout the U.S. Do retailers have a responsibility to educate consumers…
NASFT Presents Specialty Foods Awards
The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade presented awards to winners selected from 3,000 product entries submitted by 1,400 specialty food companies. Is there a market for gourmet products…
Celestial Seasonings Introduces Five New Teas
Celestial Seasonings unveiled five new caffeinated black teas. Will gourmet/specialty teas transform the category in a similar fashion to the coffee category experience?
Architects, Experts Say Proper Design Propels Sales
Architects and national experts agree that stores that are properly designed and engineered can enhance the customer’s buying mood. Are retailers doing a good job of communicating that they understand…
Big G to Roll-Out 80 New Products
General Mills is getting ready to launch 80 new products in grocery stores by December. The new products will be in addition to a range of improvements to existing products…
Genuardi’s Undergoes Bumpy Transition
Complaints abound among Genuardi’s shoppers about changes – real and perceived – in the products offered and service provided since Safeway acquired the family-owned chain last year. Concerns range from…
Reckitt Benckiser Cleans Up
Reckitt Benckiser Plc, the world’s biggest maker of household-cleaning products, said second-quarter profit growth beat its annual target of between 12 percent and 15 percent after costs fell and demand…
Too Many Stores for Columbus
A study ranks Columbus, Ohio, last among 35 major cities for the overall health of its retail industry. Are most retailers operating in over-stored geographical environments?
Teenagers Go for Milk of a Different Color
Milk drinking among American teenagers has increased for the first time in six years. The increase is being attributed to flavored milks. Will flavored milk products increase consumption in older…
Consumer Sentiment Falls, Will Spending Follow?
The University of Michigan reports that its index of consumer sentiment fell to 86.5 in early July from 92.4 at the end of June and 96.9 in May. According to…
A&P Reverts to No-Frills with Food Basics
Food Basics opened its third American store two months ago in Brooklyn. The stores represent A&P’s bid to return to lower-income, ethnically diverse urban areas. Is A&P right with…
Shaw’s New CEO Will Oversee Expansion
As president and CEO of Shaw’s Supermarkets due to succeed Ross McLaren in the fall, Paul Gannon is focused on improving and expanding many of the chain’s stores in a…
Retailers Experience High Employee Turnover
Employee commitment is weak in the retail industry according to a recent survey. Factors such as low wages, a lack of traditional benefits and work schedules that demand holiday and…
Organic Bread Bakes up “Absurd” Health Scare
The American Council on Science and Health filed a legal notice targeting whole-wheat and organic bread sold by Whole Foods Market in a bid to highlight what it calls absurd…
Red Wine Fools Prostate Cancer
Does the good health news about wine translate into faster sales growth for the category? What should retailers be doing to maximize the good press that wine has been receiving?
