Nonfoods

NATICK, Mass. -- Food sales were a key element in the sales growth BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. here reported yesterday. Total sales for January 2008 increased 11.2 percent to $652.0 million at the retailer, from $586.3 million in the year-ago period. Comparable-club January sales rose 7.8 percent, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.6 percent and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales of 0.3 percent. For January 2007, BJ's posted a comparable-club sales increase of 3.5 percent, including a contribution from gas sales of 0.3 percent.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- U.S. consumers shower their sweethearts with chocolate candy for Valentine's Day, with retail sales expected to top more than $323 million during the holiday week, according to The Nielsen Company here. Valentine's week ranks No. 1 for chocolate candy sales, and places third for all candy sales, with consumers expected to purchase more than $414 million. (The week ending Feb. 17, 2007 showed total sales of $322.7 million for chocolate candy in U.S. food, drug, and mass merchandiser stores, including Wal-Mart.)

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- U.S. consumers shower their sweethearts with chocolate candy for Valentine's Day, with retail sales expected to top more than $323 million during the holiday week, according to The Nielsen Company here. Valentine's week ranks No. 1 for chocolate candy sales, and places third for all candy sales, with consumers expected to purchase more than $414 million. (The week ending Feb. 17, 2007 showed total sales of $322.7 million for chocolate candy in U.S. food, drug, and mass merchandiser stores, including Wal-Mart.)

NEW YORK -- Despite lower content levels, sales for all "sodium content" (low-, no- and reduced-sodium or -salt) foods and beverages will continue to gain in popularity, according to a new report from Packaged Facts here. The market intelligence publisher estimates that traditional supermarkets, with at least $2 million in annual sales, accounted for 75 percent of all sodium content claim foods and beverages last year.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- By popular demand, Price Cutter supermarkets based here will bring a pop culture icon back to the Ozarks for the second consecutive year. Emmy-nominated actor Larry Thomas, known to "Seinfeld" fans as The Soup Nazi, is scheduled to appear Feb. 16, exclusively at the Price Cutter booth, during the 27th Annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- By popular demand, Price Cutter supermarkets based here will bring a pop culture icon back to the Ozarks for the second consecutive year. Emmy-nominated actor Larry Thomas, known to "Seinfeld" fans as The Soup Nazi, is scheduled to appear Feb. 16, exclusively at the Price Cutter booth, during the 27th Annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off.

NEW YORK -- Despite lower content levels, sales for all "sodium content" (low-, no- and reduced-sodium or -salt) foods and beverages will continue to gain in popularity, according to a new report from Packaged Facts here. The market intelligence publisher estimates that traditional supermarkets, with at least $2 million in annual sales, accounted for 75 percent of all sodium content claim foods and beverages last year.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- U.S. consumers shower their sweethearts with chocolate candy for Valentine's Day, with retail sales expected to top more than $323 million during the holiday week, according to The Nielsen Company here. Valentine's week ranks No. 1 for chocolate candy sales, and places third for all candy sales, with consumers expected to purchase more than $414 million. (The week ending Feb. 17, 2007 showed total sales of $322.7 million for chocolate candy in U.S. food, drug, and mass merchandiser stores, including Wal-Mart.)