Research & Analysis

PORTLAND, Ore. - Kroger division Fred Meyer and Green Mountain Coffee have joined forces to offer customers what they claim is the largest selection of Fair Trade and organic certified coffees of any major grocery retailer in the United States.

ATLANTA - As consumer concern grows about how food-producing animals are treated, retailers are looking for ways to show they're interested, too. A new certification logo from Atlanta-based United Egg Producers may help.

AMSTERDAM - Royal Ahold NV said on Thursday its U.S. Foodservice subsidiary would acquire certain assets of U.S. distributor Lady Baltimore Foods, Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets is launching a Hispanic grocery store called Savin*$ Mercado, modeled after the chain's low-cost store, Savin*$, The Indianapolis Star reports.

CHICAGO - Overall consumption of CPG products appears to have returned to normal a year after the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001, but consumer shopping and purchase behavior continue to be influenced by concerns about the economy and national security, according to the latest report from Information Resources Inc.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma supermarket operator Homeland has emerged from bankruptcy as a fully owned subsidiary of Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., the companies announced late Monday.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Lowes Foods has become the second regional chain to offer irradiated fresh, ground beef to consumers at 48 of its 105 stores.

STELLARTON, Nova Scotia - Canadian retailer Sobeys Inc. on Tuesday reported record quarterly net earnings of $45.9 million or 70 cents per share for its first quarter fiscal 2003.