Walmart

NEW YORK -- Kroger Co. intends to throw its own weight around to compete against big supercenter competition, said the chain's c.f.o., Michael Schlotman, yesterday at the Banc of America Securities 2005 Consumer Conference here.

NEW YORK -- "Branding the shopping experience" is Safeway's scheme for regaining ground lost to the impact of the infamous California strike, said an enthusiastic Steve Burd, chairman and c.e.o. of the chain, at the Banc of America Securities Consumer Conference 2005 yesterday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart and Stamford, Conn.-based credit services provider GE Consumer Finance said yesterday they were introducing two new credit cards on the Discover Network, one for business members of Sam's Club and one for the chain's consumer customers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart and Stamford, Conn.-based credit services provider GE Consumer Finance said yesterday they were introducing two new credit cards on the Discover Network, one for business members of Sam's Club and one for the chain's consumer customers.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets will open its first Middle Tennessee gas station later this year in Franklin, Tenn., in response to similar moves made by market competitors Kroger, Wal-Mart and Food Lion, according to press reports in the Nashville press.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets will open its first Middle Tennessee gas station later this year in Franklin, Tenn., in response to similar moves made by market competitors Kroger, Wal-Mart and Food Lion, according to press reports in the Nashville press.

AMSTERDAM -- Tony De Nunzio, president and c.e.o. of Asda, Wal-Mart's UK operation, was appointed today as chairman of the executive board of Vendex KBB, the Netherlands' leading nonfood retailer.

AMSTERDAM -- Tony De Nunzio, president and c.e.o. of Asda, Wal-Mart's UK operation, was appointed today as chairman of the executive board of Vendex KBB, the Netherlands' leading nonfood retailer.