Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

TROY, Mich. - Kmart Corporation today announced the appointment of William D. Underwood as executive vice president, Kmart sourcing and global operations, effective immediately.

CINCINNATI and BOISE, Idaho - The Kroger Co. and Albertson's on Friday said separately that they continue to support the Food Marketing Institute's development of an animal welfare program and will require their suppliers to adopt the program's "best practice" guidelines when they are issued by FMI in early summer.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - ACNielsen U.S. has announced the launch of the Homescan RX/OTC Consumer Panel, a new research service that measures consumer purchases and use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. has become the latest target of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), as the animal rights group persuades businesses to adopt tougher policies on the mistreatment of animals, the Cincinnati Post reports.

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's antitrust agency is considering an investigation of the country's leading mass merchandiser, Wal-Mart de Mexico SA, to determine whether the firm used its market power to squeeze suppliers, The Associated Press reports.

WASHINGTON - A Federal Trade Commission report released Friday found that tobacco companies are spending more than ever on advertising and promotion, despite court-imposed restrictions, The Associated Press reports.

MILWAUKEE - The $750 million sale of Roundy's Inc. to a Chicago investment firm received shareholder approval Tuesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

CHICAGO - H.J. Heinz, Hershey Foods Corporation, Hormel Foods, Nestle USA, and Unilever have begun loading their item information into Transora's Data Catalogue for synchronizing with retailers.