Publix

Today’s 60-somethings are a far cry from the Depression-era seniors who are just a decade older. Buoyed by higher socioeconomic standing, aging boomers continue to embrace material goods, health and fashion with more fervor than their older brethren. This means big bucks for the anti-aging segment of the skincare industry.

Celebrity chef Paula Deen is introducing a new line of frozen seafood products expected to hit retail in the fall of 2009.

Regional independent Publix scored a hat trick for the second quarter of 2009, with sales, profits, and its share price (Publix stock is privately held) all increasing over past year. The only decrease it saw was in comparable-store sales, which slid 2.6 percent from last year.

Publix Supermarkets Inc. has purchased 119 acres of industrial land in the Orlando, Fla., area, for $13.5 million, with the intention of building a massive new warehouse and distribution center, according to a published report.

Pricing and product mix drive supermarket spa sections.

The results are in, and Whole Foods Market ranks first in a list of the most “humane” grocers from among the top 25 U.S. supermarket chains by annual sales. The second annual survey of 200 stores in 34 states by the Boston-based World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organizations, additionally found that from 2008 to 2009, the number of humanely produced food offerings rose 23 percent.

For the fifth year in a row, Publix has named one of IDG’s Computerworld top workplaces for information technology professionals. Publix came in eightieth on this year’s list and remains the only supermarket chain to so honored. Additionally, Publix ranks No. 45 for companies with 10,000 or more associates.

To help customers look up in a down economy, Publix has awarded the equivalent of more than $20,000 in its Win Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes, thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) and Sargento.