Thanksgiving

COLTON, Calif. - Stater Bros. Markets is the 42nd-largest private company in the United States, according to Forbes magazine's annual listing of America's largest private companies.

HARTFORD, Conn. - State attorney general Richard Blumenthal has ruled that grocery stores in the state can't collect state sales tax on prepared foods such as precooked turkeys, potatoes, and stuffing for Thanksgiving, according to published reports. The ruling came Monday at the request of Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan, in response to a consumer's complaints.

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush and National Turkey Federation (NTF) chairman John O'Carroll continued a 57-year-old holiday tradition as O'Carroll presented the president with the National Thanksgiving Turkey yesterday.

THIBODAUX, La. - Rouses Markets, Louisiana's largest independent grocer, has announced plans to build a second store in St. Tammany Parish. The 62,000-square-foot upscale store, a newer concept known as the "Epicurean Market," will feature a full-service butcher shop, seafood market, deli, cafe, floral shop, and one of the largest supermarket selections of wines in the state.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Meijer plans to launch a range of new advertising spots in support of the upcoming holiday season. The new work includes a special campaign supporting store-wide low prices as well as spots focused on holiday sales events, holiday gift-giving, and enhanced electronics offerings.

CHICAGO - In honor of the 50th anniversary of Butterball brand turkey, ConAgra is revamping its famous Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, which helps frustrated consumers with tips on how to cook the big birds.

NEW YORK - As the holiday season kicked off over Thanksgiving weekend, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other discounters reported the strongest sales. Total retail sales Friday were up 4.8 percent to $7.2 billion from the same period a year ago, according to ShopperTrak.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Thanksgiving shoppers on the West Coast looking to avoid long lines, crowded aisles and picket lines turned to online shopping from Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway.