Trading Partners

WASHINGTON - Reflecting continuing concerns over the direction of the U.S. economy, consumers are twice as likely to consider price as a reason for purchasing a brand-name product as they were a year ago, according to a survey released Friday by the Grocery Manufacturers of America.

CHICAGO - Fleming Cos. has filed a $1.4 billion prepetition claim in Kmart Corp.'s bankruptcy case, seeking payment for profits it believes would have occurred under a canceled contract, a spokesman said Thursday.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Royal Ahold NV told federal regulators on Thursday that its accountant, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, no longer stands behind its audits for 2000 and 2001. The latest announcement raises questions about whether problems with the company's financial statements began earlier than had been acknowledged.

NEW YORK - Food supplier Fleming filed nearly $1.5 billion in claims Tuesday against former client Kmart and expects to file an additional claim with the bankruptcy court today.

DALLAS - Fleming Companies Inc. on Monday said Mark Hansen, its chairman and CEO since 1998, has resigned. The company named Peter S. Willmott as interim CEO and president and Archie R. Dykes as non-executive chairman of the board, effective immediately.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Kroger, Unilever and Acosta Sales & Marketing Company today were named winners of the inaugural Consumer 360 awards, co-sponsored by Progressive Grocer and two other VNU Business Media magazines, Brandweek and Retail Merchandiser.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - More than 1,000 attendees packed today's opening session of the first-ever Consumer 360 Conference, hosted by ACNielsen U.S. and Spectra Marketing, companies of VNU.

A study says most power toothbrushes are no better than manual ones. Manufacturers disagree and, if sales are any indication, so do consumers.