LOS ANGELES - An economic analysis by a Los Angeles think tank has found that Wal-Mart supercenters' entry into the Southern California grocery industry over the next five years, although it will result in changes and job losses, will increase overall employment in the region and save shoppers billions of dollars, the North County Times reports.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - William J. Coyne, president of the supermarket chain Raley's since 2002, has been appointed c.e.o., according to the Sacramento Bee.
SAN FRANCISCO - California State Controller Steve Westly said on Tuesday he has urged Safeway Inc. to end the grocery workers' strike, according to Reuters.
SAN FRANCISCO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. filed a lawsuit yesterday to overturn an Alameda County, Calif. law that would forbid it from building supercenters, The Associated Press reports.
PITTSBURGH - Giant Eagle last week announced it would lay off 115 management, administrative and clerical workers as part of a restructuring effort. The majority of the cuts are being made at the company's headquarters office in Pittsburgh.
BOSTON - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to a multimillion dollar settlement in a case brought by a consumer activist who said the chain failed to comply with a Massachusetts law requiring individual item-pricing by retailers, The Associated Press reports.
TOKYO - Seiyu, the troubled Japanese supermarket group in which Wal-Mart holds 37.8 percent, today announced it would cut up to 25 percent of its full-time workforce as part of an ongoing reorganization, according to published reports.
