Research & Analysis

MINNEAPOLIS - Supervalu Inc. on Monday announced that John Hooley has been promoted to corporate executive vice president, and president and chief operating officer of Supervalu's retail food companies. Also announced was the retirement of its long-time chairman, director and former CEO, Mike Wright.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, which owns Food 4 Less, has said it will buy five Albertson's stores in Kansas, The Wichita Eagle reports.

LONDON - J Sainsbury's chief executive on Friday warned of the growing competitive threat to the nation's two largest food retailers from accelerating sales at Asda, the Wal-Mart-owned chain, the Financial Times reports.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Wegmans Food Markets recently unveiled plans to broaden their marketing area with stores in Virginia and Maryland.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. and WILMINGTON, Del. - EarthShell Corporation and DuPont have expanded their relationship to a strategic alliance. Initially, the companies will focus on the $1 billion global food service wraps market.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. on Wednesday announced that Frank Lazaran will be joining the company as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. today announced it has reached an agreement to purchase 17 supermarkets and two vacant parcels of land located primarily in the Houston area from Albertson's Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market will receive a Regional Excellence award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The WILD Foundation and the host sponsor Animal Planet for its 2001 "Fish for Our Future" educational awareness campaign.