Walmart

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.

INDIANOPOLIS -- Nearly six months after revealing it was exploring strategic alternatives that included a sale, the exploring seems to be officially over for Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. here. The regional retailer said yesterday signed an agreement for an $11.125 per share cash takeover by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Inc.

NEW YORK -- Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. is doing better than surviving in a fast-changing retail landscape, in full command of the challenge to deliver on the diverse needs of its customers in many markets, said the vice chairman and c.f.o. at an investor's gathering here earlier this week.

For grocers willing to make the commitment, homespun state-sponsored agricultural marketing programs can rack up good will and good sales.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. here has reportedly signed a lease to anchor the expansion of the Village at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills, Md. in Anne Arundel County. The 140,000-square-foot store is scheduled to open in 2009, when it will be able to cater to a large influx of people moving to the area as part of the expansion of Pentagon agencies at Fort George G. Meade.

Once strictly kid stuff, peanut butter is now positioning itself, through health-conscious and gourmet products, as a grown-up food.

CHICAGO -- Against a backdrop of accelerating modern retail globalization, India retained its position as the world's most attractive market for mass merchant and food retailers seeking overseas growth, according to the 2006 Global Retail Development Index released by A.T. Kearney here.

WASHINGTON -- As part of their nationwide campaign to "Help Cure the Wal-Mart Health Care Crisis," grassroots supporters of WakeUpWalMart.com, local Change to Win federation members, workers, and community activists are planning to lead public rallies in 35 cities across the United States in a national day of action, WakeUpWalMart.com said yesterday.