Nonfoods

New York, NY - Today's global consumers connect with brand franchises that symbolize trust, offer a specific expertise, and group products logically, according to a study released today by ACNielsen, the world's leading marketing information company.

NEW YORK - Less than two months after losing its biggest supply contract to Kmart Corp., Fleming Cos. Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection this morning, according court papers filed in Delaware.

ATLANTA - One of the nation's most innovative convenience store retailers, Wawa, Inc. has launched a new customer self-service kiosk solution from Radiant Systems, Inc. in more than 500 of its stores throughout Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.- The NPD Group, Inc.-- Though many consumers are curbing discretionary spending to factors ranging from rising gas prices to war worries, they are least likely to alter their spending on products affecting their appearance like cosmetics, skincare, and apparel, according to findings from a recent consumer survey by The NPD Group.

MONTVALE, N.J. - After selling and closing more than two dozen stores while it seeks a new owner for its 8 O' Clock coffee subsidiary, A&P stands to gain more than $300 million if all goes as planned, according to a report in yesterday's Star-Ledger, a Newark, N.J. daily newspaper.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday said it still expects to meet its forecast for March sales at stores open at least a year, despite the "CNN effect" last week, when shoppers were glued to their televisions to watch coverage of the war with Iraq.

JERUSALEM - Blue Square-Israel, one of Israel's largest retailers, said on today it moved to a loss in the fourth quarter due to declining sales and write-downs as a result of the domestic recession and increased competition.

LAS VEGAS --Barrington Foods International, Inc., announced today they have begun a strategic alliance with Sierra Products Group, Inc. Sierra Products Group is an approved vendor for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and numerous other mass retailers.