Nonfoods

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted October 2006 sales of $602.6 million, a 2.5 percent rise from the $588.1 million reported in the year-ago period. However, despite a strong showing from some grocery categories, comparable-club sales declined 0.7 percent for the month, including a negative impact from gas sales of 2.5 percent.

QUINCY, Mass. -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. here has launched its 17th annual Food for Friends program with the goal of raising over $1 million for more than 300 local hunger relief organizations throughout its Northeast market area. The program will run through Nov. 30.

KANSAS CITY -- The $4 generic drug movement picked up more steam this week when Price Chopper, this market's most pervasive grocery banner, declared it would offer more than 300 generic prescriptions at $4 each at 29 store pharmacies in the Kansas City area, plus two in Topeka and two in St. Joseph.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The competitive Michigan marketplace grew more so this week, when The Fresh Market opened its first southeast Michigan store here, a 26,000-square-foot unit with an old-style butcher shop, seafood center, bakery, florist, and specialty items along with produce, frozen foods, and grocery products.

SEATTLE -- Supermarket wholesaler Associated Grocers of Seattle yesterday promoted Terry Reinig to the position of meat manager of AG's meat department.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here said 12 retailers representing more than 9,500 stores nationwide have signed the new Fruits & Veggies--More Matters license agreement to date, and are making plans to incorporate the new slogan into their companies' marketing efforts.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said yesterday its October same-store sales rose a modest 0.5 percent in the U.S., which was below its already lowered expectations, and represented the smallest gain in more than two years.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted October 2006 sales of $602.6 million, a 2.5 percent rise from the $588.1 million reported in the year-ago period. However, despite a strong showing from some grocery categories, comparable-club sales declined 0.7 percent for the month, including a negative impact from gas sales of 2.5 percent.