Nonfoods

CHICAGO -- The 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains registered 5.1 percent annual sales growth in 2007, representing a slowdown, according to Technomic Inc.'s annual report of the top U.S. restaurant chains.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Research from The Nielsen Co. here shows that more than half of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of convenience packaging if doing so would benefit the environment.

QUINCY, Mass. and LANDOVER, Md. -- Expanding their ongoing "Low Prices Every Day" program, Ahold USA chains The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. and Giant Food, LLC have cut prices on salad dressings, condiments and other flavor enhancers.

Like ethnic HBC before it, the natural color cosmetics category could use more help finding its way onto mainstream grocers’ shelves.

MILWAUKEE -- Don Fitzgerald, a grocer with plenty of Chicago experience at Meijer and Dominick's, has joined Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. here as its new group v.p./merchandising and procurement, effective March 10.

NEW YORK -- The French Embassy Trade Office here said it is inviting U.S. supermarket and specialty food store buyers, importers, distributors, and restaurateurs to see first hand what selected French food companies have to offer during a multicity tour. The categories on parade in the tour include cheese, chocolate, pastry, grocery, frozen, dried fruit, and mineral water.

NEW YORK -- The French Embassy Trade Office here said it is inviting U.S. supermarket and specialty food store buyers, importers, distributors, and restaurateurs to see first hand what selected French food companies have to offer during a multicity tour. The categories on parade in the tour include cheese, chocolate, pastry, grocery, frozen, dried fruit, and mineral water.

CHICAGO -- The 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains registered 5.1 percent annual sales growth in 2007, representing a slowdown, according to Technomic Inc.'s annual report of the top U.S. restaurant chains.