Associations

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - In response to the growing problem of counterfeit drugs introduced in the U.S. drug supply system, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) submitted a report to the Food and Drug Administration as a commentary on policy issues surrounding prescription drug counterfeiting.

WASHINGTON - The director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) will mediate a resumption of negotiations this Friday in the Southern California grocery strike and lockout after both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table.

WASHINGTON - In an effort to optimize transportation cost savings and service throughout the food retail industry, the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers of America have issued the Manufacturer & Distributor Customer Pick-Up/Backhaul Fairness Statement.

LOS ANGELES - Safeway Inc., Kroger Co. and Albertsons Inc. may still be permitted to have a profit-sharing agreement, even if a California Attorney General probe determines that it is anticompetitive, according to a Dow Jones report.

WASHINGTON - Kate Coler, a former lobbyist for the Food Marketing Institute, has been named deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services.

NEW YORK - As the holiday season kicked off over Thanksgiving weekend, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other discounters reported the strongest sales. Total retail sales Friday were up 4.8 percent to $7.2 billion from the same period a year ago, according to ShopperTrak.

Retailers here and abroad turn to buying alliances to level their playing field.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - In another move to enhance its CCCnet marketing conference preparation and follow-up toolset, the General Merchandise Distributors Council has selected Kwikee Systems of Peoria, Ill. to provide product imaging and data collection services for 2004.