Research & Analysis

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Lowes Foods, a regional supermarket chain based in Winston-Salem, N.C., reportedly is planning to open a store in South Carolina by next spring.

HAVANA - Cuban supermarkets on Sunday received the first shipment of U.S. brand-name food sold directly to the communist country since Washington imposed an embargo more than 40 years ago, Reuters reports.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Rochester, N.Y.-based retailer Wegmans has opened a 114-seat fine dining restaurant featuring items such as pasta carbona, seared yellow fin tuna, jasmine rice tempura and ginger sesame dressing, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer prices barely edged higher in July as a sharp drop in clothing prices helped temper rising food, energy and medical care costs, the government said today.

ISTANBUL - U.S. farming groups are counting on new products such as edible crayons to make use of surplus soybean production and boost prices, Reuters reports.

BOSTON - In a move that reflects consumers' increasing interest in natural foods, a New York investment firm has acquired a majority interest in Annie's Homegrown Inc., the Wakefield, Mass.-based manufacturer of all-natural and organic pasta products.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In five years, Wal-Mart could be twice as big as it is today if it increases its market share in major categories such as food and apparel and newer areas such as gasoline, predicts global consulting and market research firm Retail Forward.

WASHINGTON, D.C. and SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Consumers still conduct their primary shopping at supermarkets, but feel they save more money and receive better value while being tempted to buy more items when shopping at warehouse club stores and supercenters, according to a new consumer poll.