Back to School

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - After hundreds of New York schools participated in the program its first time around in 2003, the New York Apple Association is repeating the New York Apples for Education initiative, with support from General Mills and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

MINNEAPOLIS - Target Corp. completed the sale of its Mervyn's department store division -- a promotional, middle-market department store with 257 stores in 13 states primarily in the West and South -- to an investment consortium, as well as the divesture of Mervyn's $475 million credit card receivables to GE Consumer Finance.

LANDOVER, Md. - In conjunction with the kickoff of National Food Safety Education Month in September, Giant Food has launched an effort to offer consumers back-to-school food tips for keeping lunches safe.

BOISE, Idaho - Extending an innovative children's reading education program for a third year, Albertsons and Coca-Cola are partnering to donate 500,000 books to schools and children's organizations across the country.

TROY, Mich. - Kmart Holding Corp. reported its third consecutive quarterly profit yesterday despite declines in revenues, sales, and same-store sales.

NEW YORK - Grocers' cross-channel competitors offered a mixed bag of July sales reports, with warehouse clubs riding fuel price hikes to the stronger results, while other discounters delivered softer performances in the month.

AUSTIN, Texas - With the start of school right around the corner, Whole Foods Market is aiming to help parents build better lunchbox menus for their children by advocating new twists and alternatives that add variety, nutrition, and energy.

PLEASANTON, Calif. ¿ Safeway and Burbank, Calif.-based Buena Vista Home Entertainment will be partnering on a back-to-school promotion for 2004, themed to the "Schoolhouse Rock" characters found on the "Schoolhouse Rock!: Special 30th Anniversary Edition" DVD.