Events

NEW YORK - This year's Store-Specific Merchandising and Marketing Conference -- being held April 10-12 at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel in Orlando, Fla. -- is entitled, "Connecting with the New Consumer."

NEW YORK - U.S. consumers felt their most upbeat in a year in January, the University of Michigan's index of consumer sentiment showed today.

LONDON - Asda, the U.K.'s third largest supermarket chain, said it hopes to create up to 10,000 new jobs this year, the BBC reports.

LONDON - Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket operator, today reported that its like-for-like sales rose by 6.2 percent for the seven weeks ending Jan. 5, The Financial Times reports.

LONDON - Safeway Plc, Britain's fourth-biggest food retailer, today posted Christmas sales that fell at the bottom of analysts' expectations, raising concerns it may be falling behind in the UK supermarket sector, Reuters reports.

LONDON - J Sainsbury, the UK's second largest supermarket operator, today claimed to be taking share from its rival Tesco for the first time in six years, as it announced like-for-like sales up by 6.4 percent for the third quarter, The Financial Times reports.

WASHINGTON - When it comes to value, American consumers believe food offers the biggest bang for their buck, according to a new survey conducted by the polling company for the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA).

LAKELAND, Fla. - On Wednesday Publix Super Markets' Miami distribution facility associates voted no to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).