Walmart

The pumps are churning across the flooded lands of the Gulf Coast. As the deadly waters recede, however, challenges to authorities, residents, and business owners remain at critical levels. The urgency of protecting hurricane victims from disease reached new heights yesterday, as New Orleans officials said that floodwater has been contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Bottled water vendors, including Trinity Springs, and many grocery retailers, have shipped donated bottled water to the affected areas, while relief agencies work diligently to provide safe, clean water.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are making a nationwide case for diabetes screenings, by hosting screening and public education events at almost 4,000 stores on Sept 24.

Boise, Idaho -- The news Friday that Albertsons, Inc. is potentially up for sale as a way to "increase shareholder value" itself helped increased shareholder value, by more than 11 percent.

SETPEMBER 6, 2005 -- One week after Hurricane Katrina's fury was unleashed on the Gulf Coast region -- leaving thousands homeless, hungry, and worse -- retailers continue looking for ways to help. Several companies late last week were sending truckloads -- and even planeloads -- of product to local relief agencies and needy refugees, while many more are jumping in to collect customer donations for American Red Cross and other organizations.

BRIDGEPORT, Ohio -- Officials of the 80-year-old Riesbeck's Food Markets, Inc., this week broke ground here for a new grocery store that will be situated on property adjacent to a former Giant Eagle store.

With an emphasis on good nutrition, innovative products, and savvy merchandising, retailers and manufacturers of natural/organic branded and private label RTE cereals are proving that health sells.

As the devastation grows in Hurricane Katrina's wake, grocers in the South and beyond do their best to cope, and to help. Here are some of the latest developments.

LOS ANGELES -- After three years of weathering protests by local officials, labor unions, and community activists, Wal-Mart Stores yesterday opened its first supercenter in Los Angeles County in Palmdale.