Trading Partners

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumer packaged goods manufacturers' best opportunities to boost holiday sales in 2007 lie with seasonal flavors/packaging and convenience foods, according to new research conducted for the Grocery Manufacturers Association by Ernst & Young LLP and The NPD Group.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consumer packaged goods manufacturers' best opportunities to boost holiday sales in 2007 lie with seasonal flavors/packaging and convenience foods, according to new research conducted for the Grocery Manufacturers Association by Ernst & Young LLP and The NPD Group.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -Nielsen here yesterday launched a tool for manufacturers and retailers to use together to measure how certain product categories bring shoppers into stores.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -Nielsen here yesterday launched a tool for manufacturers and retailers to use together to measure how certain product categories bring shoppers into stores.

ARLINGTON, Va. - In a market marked by turnover and recruitment problems, independents as a group are not applying formal training or employee development principles in their operations, according to a members survey conducted by the National Grocers Association and released yesterday.

TORONTO -- Loblaw Cos., Ltd. here posted a same-store sales increase of 2.8 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2007, excluding the impact of lower tobacco sales. But gross margin at the Canadian retailer plummeted about CAN $60 million (US $60.7 million) compared to the year ago period -- representing 0.7 percent of sales -- which the company attributed to such factors as targeted price reductions to provide value to customers and changes in sales mix.

Interactive information kiosks are helping grocers sell across categories and giving shoppers more reasons to eat at home.

Is it time to reinvent the checkout?