Market Trends

Penn Traffic Reports 2.3% Same Store Sales Increase for Third Quarter
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Penn Traffic Company today announced earnings for the third quarter (the 13-week period ended Nov. 3, 2001). Adjusted EBITDA was $24.5 million, an increase of 13.0 percent over the prior year's adjusted $21.7 million level.
Peapod and Stop & Shop Announce Accord with Massachusetts Attorney General Regarding 1999 Customer Communications
CHICAGO and QUINCY, Mass. - Online grocer Peapod Inc., and the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced on Monday that they have entered into an assurance with the Massachusetts Attorney General and have agreed to compensate certain Boston-area customers who shopped with Peapod during an eight-month period in 1999, when customer communications may have unintentionally caused confusion regarding Peapod's local pricing.

San Miguel/Coke Joint Venture Looks for Deal with Nestle, Disney

MANILA - The Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), a joint venture between beer giant San Miguel Corp. and The Coca-Cola Co., said today it was eyeing deals with Swiss food firm Nestle S.A. and Walt Disney to expand its non-carbonated drinks line, Reuters reports.
Kroger Reports Earnings Increase in Third Quarter, Announces Job Cuts

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. today reported earnings of $0.32 per diluted share, excluding costs related to a merger and one-time expenses, for the third quarter endedNov. 10, 2001. These results represent an increase of 14.3% over the third quarter of 2000, on the same basis.
Ahold Gets FTC Approval to Buy Bruno's Supermarkets

NEW YORK - Dutch supermarkets group Koninklijke Ahold NV was given approval from the Federal Trade Commission on Friday to buy Bruno's Supermarkets Inc., but the company was told it must close two of its own regional groceries stores in two Georgia towns, Reuters reports.
November Retail Sales Weakest in Decade

NEW YORK - U.S. retailers reported the weakest sales growth for November since the recession of 1990, Reuters reports.
Sobeys to Divest its Foodservice Operations and Form Alliance With Sysco

STELLARTON, NOVA SCOTIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO - Sobeys Inc., Canada's second largest retail grocer and distributor, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of its SERCA foodservice operations to SYSCO Corporation, the largest foodservice marketing and distribution company in North America.
Albertson's Sales Increase in Third Quarter

BOISE, Idaho - Albertson's Inc., the No. 2 U.S. supermarket chain, today reported sales of $9.4 billion for the third quarter ended Nov. 1, 2001, a 4.1 percent increase vs. the prior year.
Tyco Healthcare Buys Diaper Maker

NORCROSS, Ga. - Tyco International said today its health care division is buying Paragon Trade Brands Inc., the largest generic maker of disposable diapers in the United States and Canada, for $565 million, The Associated Press reports.
Marsh Supermarkets Reports Second Quarter Operations Income Up 47 Percent

INDIANAPOLIS - Marsh Supermarkets Inc. on Tuesday reported results of operations for the 16 weeks ended October 13, 2001.

Penn Traffic Reports 2.3% Same Store Sales Increase for Third Quarter

Peapod and Stop &amp; Shop Announce Accord with Massachusetts Attorney General Regarding 1999 Customer Communications

San Miguel/Coke Joint Venture Looks for Deal with Nestle, Disney

Kroger Reports Earnings Increase in Third Quarter, Announces Job Cuts

Ahold Gets FTC Approval to Buy Bruno's Supermarkets

November Retail Sales Weakest in Decade

Sobeys to Divest its Foodservice Operations and Form Alliance With Sysco

Albertson's Sales Increase in Third Quarter

Tyco Healthcare Buys Diaper Maker

Marsh Supermarkets Reports Second Quarter Operations Income Up 47 Percent

Peapod and Stop & Shop Announce Accord with Massachusetts Attorney General Regarding 1999 Customer Communications