Perimeter

NEW YORK CITY -- The market for women's food and beverages grew at a compound annual rate of 80 percent between 2000 and 2004, and is now a $4.6 billion industry. At its current growth, it could reach as high as $7.7 billion by 2009, according to a new study by Packaged Facts.

LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food LLC, this morning christened a new full-service food and pharmacy combination store at the historic Tivoli Theatre site at 1345 Park Road, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

NEW YORK -- Total U.S. retail sales of pet oral care products hit $425 million last year, reflecting average annual growth of 35 percent since 2000, according to "Market Trends: Oral Care for Pets," a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Winn-Dixie's taken out the pruning shears, in a recovery strategy that will radically cut back the organization before rebuilding it.

NEW YORK -- Such value-added products as mixed-vegetable side dishes, frozen fruit salads, and packaged ethnic rice dishes are providing retailers with the biggest growth opportunities in the $45.6 billion market for private label foods and beverages, according to "The U.S. Market for Private Label Foods and Beverages," a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. -- Natural and organic grocery chain Whole Foods Market opened its first location on the New Jersey Shore yesterday, at Chapel Hill Shopping Center here. The occasion also marked the opening of the company's 170th store.

NEW YORK -- According to double-blind taste tests conducted in 10 locations across the country by Meyers Research Center for the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), consumers by a 51-percent-to-49-percent say the prefer the taste of private label items over their national brand counterparts in 12 popular categories.

QUINCY, Ill. -- Local residents Diane Roderick and Tom Lane decided to tie the knot at the place they first met 14 months ago -- a large and bustling Hy-Vee supermarket at 36th and Broadway. The couple wed Saturday afternoon before about 75 guests at the store where Lane has worked as assistant produce manager for the past 15 years. Quincy boasts two Hy-Vee locations.