Nonfoods

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Southeastern grocer Lowes Foods here opened its first store in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Oct. 10. The 47,000-square-foot "FreshSmart" store emphasizes fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery and floral departments, and a deli with Boar's Head meats and cheeses.

MINNEAPOLIS -Same-store sales slipped below expectations for Supervalu here in the second quarter, but the nation's third largest grocer plans to wield store remodels and service improvements to remedy the situation, c.e.o. Jeff Noddle said Tuesday during an analyst's conference call.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Though shoppers still plan to spend more on the holidays this year than last, they said their spending will be a bit restrained this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation's 2007 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -Nonfoods and health and wellness trade association Global Market Development Center (GMDC) yesterday said it nominated Karen Bakewell, director of GM/HBC merchandising for Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores, Inc. to its board of directors.

CINCINNATI -- Fresh Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. here, has acquired Harrisburg, Pa.-based Verdelli Farms, a premier regional processor of value-added salads, vegetables and fruit snacks which markets its products under the Harvest Select and Verdelli Farms brands.

SAN ANTONIO -- Regional retailer H.E. Butt Grocery Co. here is reportedly launching a new concept that combines the best of its food and drug stores with the more upscale Central Market format, in the Cypress neighborhood of Houston on Oct. 24.

CINCINNATI -- Fresh Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. here, has acquired Harrisburg, Pa.-based Verdelli Farms, a premier regional processor of value-added salads, vegetables and fruit snacks which markets its products under the Harvest Select and Verdelli Farms brands.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 have approved a new four-and-a-half year contract with Meijer Inc. based here, the union said.