Industry

WASHINGTON - The Grocery Manufacturers of America will stress the importance of lowering trade-distorting tariffs and subsidies, and caution against including non-trade concerns such as geographical indications in trade negotiations at the Fifth World Trade Organization Ministerial this week.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- In a historic first, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) here said Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Kulpsville, Pa.-based Clemens Family Markets to sell liquor directly to consumers at a grocery store.

CHICAGO - The International Brotherhood of Teamsters union said on Thursday it reached a tentative agreement with warehouse club operator Costco Wholesale Corp. covering about 3,500 employees on the East Coast, Reuters reports.

WASHINGTON - The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) on Friday sent a letter to eBay, asking the Internet company to immediately stop the sale or auction of grocery coupons on its Web site, noting that the practice is illegal and many of the coupons may be counterfeit.

MILAN, Ill. - The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois has approved Eagle Food Centers' two separate purchase agreements for certain assets related to three of its stores to Hy-Vee and one store to J.B. Sullivan Inc.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Safeway has committed to participate in the WorldWide Retail Exchange's (WWRE) Interoperability Project to be completed by year-end.

DENVER - Company officials said on Monday that Safeway donated more than $5.2 million worth of food to the region's largest food bank during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, as part of the grocer's comprehensive program to assist hunger-relief agencies in Colorado and surrounding states.

LONDON -- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will open its first European store in Harrods department store here, the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based company said this week.