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Apple iPod To Be Sold With H-P Label
Apple announced yesterday that it will license its iPod technology to Hewlett-Packard, which will produce iPod digital music devices bearing the H-P brand and place an Apple iTunes jukebox software…
BSE Safeguards Stipulated By USDA
Following up last week’s announcements of further BSE prevention measures, the USDA issued four new regulations specifically addressing the way product is marked during the inspection process; the classification of…
A&P Narrows Loss on Divestitures
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company reported a 3rd quarter earnings loss of 65 cents per share, narrowing from a loss of 77 cents in the previous year period….
Disappointing Holiday Sales Send Gap Shares South
Shares of Gap Inc. dropped as much as 13 percent yesterday as investors expressed anxiety over a slight 1 percent increase in combined holiday period same-store sales at Gap, Old…
Kraft Reorganizes to Reset Global Marketing Strategy
The consumer packaged goods giant is moving former co-chief exec Betsy Holden into a newly established president of global marketing and category development position as part of a big restructure…
Target’s December Sales Up Almost 10 Percent
Target Corp. saw total retail sales jump 9.9 percent in December compared to the previous year. Comparable-store sales were up 4.1 percent for the same period.
P&G Raises Earnings Forecast
Procter & Gamble raised its quarterly earnings guidance yesterday saying the company saw sales of its health care products increase as a result of the early arrival of the cold…
Wal-Mart’s December Better Than Expected
A late surge of shoppers raised Wal-Mart’s same-store sales in December to 4.3% above the same period in 2002.
Not Everyone Has the Hang of Self-Checkouts
Baltimore Sun columnist discusses his personal mishaps trying to use self-checkout stations.
Wrigley Buys Gum and Candy Company in Spain
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. has agreed to buy the Joyco food business in Spain for $272 million in cash.
Home Networking Buzz at CES
Having a totally connected and automated home is the buzz of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. It is still, however, more dream than reality,
Smoke Free Pubs Gain More Customers
Pubs in the UK are going smoke-free and finding they’re gaining more customers than they are losing in the process.
Industry Has Plan to Reopen Japanese Market
Beef industry officials have a plan to certify American beef free of mad cow disease so that exports to Japan may resume.
No Confirmation If Missing Parmalat Funds Found
A Web site report that creditors of Parmalat have traced 7 billion euros back to a bank account in the U.S. has yet to be confirmed.
Holden Named Kraft’s President of Global Marketing
Former Kraft Foods co-Chief Executive Betsy Holden has been named by the company to be its president of global marketing & category development.
Circuit City Sales Short Circuit
The consumer electronics chain reported same-store sales for December were off two percent. Chain-wide sales were down one percent.
Coke and Pepsi Reach Deal With Canadian Schools
The two manufacturers have agreed to stock vending machines in schools throughout Canada with water and fruit juice drinks and remove carbonated soft drinks.
Schick Wants A Cut of Gillette’s Razor Share
Schick is looking for innovations such as the company’s Quattro, four-blade razor, to help it move up from its perrenial number two spot in the shaving products category.
McD’s Goes Wireless in England
McD’s has signed an agreement to put to put “wi-fi hotspots” in more than 500 of its locations in England.
Farmer Jack Closing More Stores
Farmer Jack has announced it will close thirteen stores in Michigan in an attempt to turn the struggling division of A&P around.
RiteAid Gets $51 Million Tax Break
The upside to previous management overstating earnings in 1989 and 1999 is that RiteAid will receive $51 million in tax benefits to boost its bottom line in fiscal 2004.
Coffee May Hold Off Type 2 Diabetes
New research suggests drinking six cups a coffee a day reduces the risk for developing Type 2 or adult onset diabetes.
Pepsi Inks Iraqi Deal
PepsiCo has signed a deal with Baghdad Soft Drinks Co. to bottle and distribute Pepsi products in Iraq.
Study: Americans Confident Food Is Safe
A new study from NPD Group says 70 percent of those questioned expressed confidence in the safety of the food they buy at the supermarket.
Governator Brew Blows Them Away
Portland Brewing has rolled out a limited number of “Governator” beers in honor of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s victory in the Calfornia recall election.
Asian Supermarket Attracts Other Businesses
The Asian supermarket, Ranch 99, is attracting other Asian businesses to Foster City, Cal.