Costco Wholesale Corp.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Southern Family Markets, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers, has decided the North Carolina market's heat is just too much. The retailer will completely vacate the market with the closure of nine supermarkets and the potential sale of its remaining eight locations.

NEW YORK -- After mixed results in June, big-box retailers Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, and BJ's Wholesale Club all saw growth in same-store sales, with a powerful assist from food, back-to-school items, and pharmacy, among other items. The only hiccup was that Costco's 3.1 percent same-store sales increase was smaller than expected -- but the warehouse club store chain still expects to meet or exceed analysts' second-quarter profit prediction of 69 cents per share.

BENTONVILLE, Ark.; ISSAQUAH, Wash.; MINNEAPOLIS; and NATICK, Mass. -- Despite challenging economic times, June was a good month at Costco and Target, while Wal-Mart and BJ's Wholesale Club suffered some sales setbacks, exacerbated by an uncooperative Mother Nature.

The natural and organic meat marketplace is booming with supplier introductions and retail programs. But is the boom as healthy as it appears?

The natural and organic meat marketplace is booming with supplier introductions and retail programs. But is the boom as healthy as it appears?

WASHINGTON -- Natural and organic retailer Whole Foods Market yesterday joined Safeway and Wild Oats as the first national supermarket chains to commit to posting signs giving consumers a government warning about mercury in certain kinds of seafood.

WASHINGTON -- Natural and organic retailer Whole Foods Market yesterday joined Safeway and Wild Oats as the first national supermarket chains to commit to posting signs giving consumers a government warning about mercury in certain kinds of seafood.

ROBESONIA, Pa. and CARTERET, N.J. -- Two major grocery distributors in the Northeast U.S. are joining forces. Cooperative food distributor Associated Wholesaler's Inc. (AWI) in Robesonia, Pa. is merging with White Rose Food, the largest independent wholesale food distributor in the New York City metropolitan area, sources told Progressive Grocer on Friday.