Research Topic

WASHINGTON - The U.S. convenience store industry reported a 5.0 percent sales increase over those of 2000, climbing to a record $283 billion, despite a decline in motor fuels and in-store margins, according to data on the industry released today by the National Association of Convenience Stores.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department said today retail sales in April rose 1.2 percent, the biggest increase in six months, The Associated Press reports.

LAKELAND - Publix Super Markets Inc. is implementing a 50 cent-per-hour reduction in hourly pay scales for new employees in roughly one out of every 10 stores, the Orlando Business Journal reports.

WASHINGTON - Wholesale prices dipped by 0.2 percent in April, led by the biggest drop in food costs in nearly 28 years, The Associated Press reports.

PURCHASE, New York - Just in time for summer, Pepsi-Cola has said it will launch a bright blue cola called Pepsi Blue to boost sluggish cola sales, Reuters reports.

LOS ANGELES - An environmental group on Wednesday sued chocolate makers including Hershey and Mars for not disclosing the amount of toxic metals such as lead that are in their products, as required under California law, Reuters reports.

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. posted modest sales increases for April, hurt in part by comparisons to a particularly robust month in March because of the early Easter holiday, Dow Jones news wire reports.

CHICAGO - Consumers are shopping less frequently in traditional grocery stores, while they are increasing their trips to supercenters like Wal-Mart and dollar stores, according to the latest "channel blurring" study from ACNielsen U.S.