Walmart

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.

NEW YORK --­ The American shoppers' mindset has dramatically shifted since 2001 toward more anxiety and less spending, reflecting a new "Never Normal" environment they now live in, according to the latest "How America Shops" 2006 study from retail marketing consultancy WSL Strategic Retail, based here.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said yesterday it has established an Employment Practices Advisory Panel to develop and implement progressive enhancements to equal employment opportunity and diversity initiatives for the nation's largest private work force.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Former Sunkist c.e.o. Jeff Gargiulo has joined Sundia Corp. here as chairman of the board of directors and advisors. Gargiulo will team with Sundia c.e.o. and founder Brad Oberwager to build a global produce brand that benefits both growers and consumers.

WASHINGTON -- The Food Co-op 500 here has awarded four Sprout Fund grants and its first Sprout Fund loan to food cooperatives in Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington state. The aim of the program is to increase the number of retail grocery cooperatives from the current 300 to 500 in 10 years.

WILTON, Conn. -- As discount and drug stores add more space for food and supermarkets add more nonfood sections, retailers have moved to the muddled middle and shoppers no longer distinguish retailers along channel lines, according to a new study from Cannondale Associates here, "Redefining the Retail Landscape." The study, produced in conjunction with panel provider Lightspeed Research, finds that shoppers choose where to shop based on a retailer's ability to deliver what they're looking for, whether it's the lowest prices, bulk sizes, or unique products.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of one its newest Supercenters yesterday, but this store has a special history: It anchors a shopping center that was developed on the site of a former air force base in San Antonio.

WASHINGTON -- Wal-Mart said it is altering its health care policy to be more employee-friendly, and is urging other retailers to follow suit.