Winter Holidays

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Food Lion is once again coming to rescue of hurricane victims -- this time by donating truckloads of ice, water, and snack foods to assist Jacksonville, Fla., area residents recovering from Hurricane Jeanne.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - H.E. Butt Grocery Co. said Wednesday that it will realign about 100 administrative positions, with more than half of those employees expected to lose their jobs, according to a report published in the San Antonio Express-News.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sorry, Charley, but Sunshine State supermarkets were prepared to take whatever you could dish out on Friday.

CHICAGO - The non-alcoholic beverage market is expected to reach $79 billion by the end of 2004, registering an increase of 20 percent during 1999 to 2004, according to a new report from Mintel. By 2009, the market could be worth $98.2 billion, the report suggests.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. - Retailers have a new month of recognition to add to their merchandising calendars, as the Low Carb Manufacturers Alliance (LCMA) kicks off its first-ever "Low Carb Month" promotion in January 2005.

Sales and merchandising may center on the winter holidays, but the time is always right for an exciting hors d'oeuvres assortment.

The sales trends in liquor merchandising -- exotic flavors, holiday gift packs, low-carb diets, and superpremium products -- are so promising it's almost scary.

PINOLE, Calif. - Officials at Safeway Inc. on Friday accused union leaders of using Good Friday services to play politics with its employees, according to a report in The Contra Costa Times.