Walmart

Wilmington, Del. -- Wal-Mart and the Produce For Better Health Foundation (PBH) based here are setting the stage for millions of shoppers to Go Wild With Fruits and Vegetables during a one-day retailtainment event featuring characters from DreamWorks' "Madagascar" film being released in video form next week.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- There's new life for an old airport runway and vegetable oil used to fry chicken, at Wal-Mart's new experimental store in Aurora, Colo., the second of the retailer's test concept.

MONTROVIA, Calif. -- Trader Joe's, the quirky limited assortment food retailer based here, is reportedly scouting for future sites in metro Atlanta, which would be the southernmost market yet for the chain.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- A study released on Friday by Global Insight, an economic analysis firm based here, suggests that some claims from Wal-Mart's growing number of critics may be unfounded. The study, which analyzes the national and regional impact of the nation's largest retailer on the U.S. economy, was presented at a Wal-Mart-sponsored conference in Washington, D.C., along with papers written on this same topic from other sources.

WILTON, Conn. -- Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble topped the "best of the best" in the industry for collaborating with trading partners to best meet consumers' needs, and bolster their own performance, said consultancy Cannondale Associates here, which on Firday released it 2005 PoweRanking Survey.

CHICAGO --It looks like consumers are demanding even more robust convenience-based products than ever, with attributes such as better nutritional benefits, according to a study released yesterday by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).

TOKYO -- Japanese supermarket chain operator Seiyu, Ltd., based here, said yesterday that Edward Kolodzieski, Wal-Mart International s.v.p. and c.o.o., would become Seiyu's president and c.e.o. on Dec. 15, pending approval at a shareholders' meeting scheduled for the same day, according to published reports.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart yesterday got the jump on its holiday promotional activities by unveiling its first such campaign to launch so early. In other significant holiday marketing firsts for the world's biggest retailer, the campaign features celebrities and will be integrated across all media channels and in-store signage.