Associations

Retailers are continuing to spend money on store design even in these uncertain economic times, according to the results of the 12th Annual Store Fixture survey conducted by Display & Design Ideas (DDI) Magazine with cooperation from the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM).

Andy Small, senior vice president, Northern California Supermarkets for Ralphs Grocery Company, was recently elected California Grocers Association Chairman of the Board.

Retail/wholesale grocers and foodservice distributors experienced a 12 percent increase in healthcare costs over the last two years and they expect costs to rise another 14.5 percent in 2001, according to a new survey.

A panel of judges have upheld class action status for the antitrust case that Wal-Mart and other retailers brought against Visa and MasterCard over debit cards, the Associated Press reports.

In testimony before the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, C. Manly Molpus, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, outlined a four-point plan to strengthen the current food safety regulatory structure rather than embarking upon a "radical restructuring" of the agencies charged with overseeing the U.S. food supply.

Former Furrs Supermarkets Inc. employees are spreading word to one another to attend a court hearing Thursday to protest that they have not received promised severance pay. In a separate action, union officials filed a motion Sept. 21 asking the court to direct Furrs to make the payments.

Food Distributors International (FDI) and the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc. (NASFT) announced that they have agreed on an initiative to develop strong inter-organizational ties under which FDI will provide services to all of the specialty food organization's members.

PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway filed suit today in Federal Court charging that the United Food and Commercial Workers union has engaged in blatant ``voting irregularities''.