Trading Partners

MAULDIN, S.C. -- The 2007 Bi-Lo Charity Classic, Bi-Lo's annual golf event, has raised more than $5.55 million, the regional grocer said yesterday. This breaks the tournament's record of $5.51 million set last year.

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), in conjunction with its Associate Member Council (AMC), presented Unilever with the 2007 CPG Award for Innovation and Creativity. The AMC CPG Award Subcommittee made the announcement at the GMA Executive Conference at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.

CARTERET, N.J. -- Citing the effects of pre-tax expenses of $5.2 million related to its proposed merger with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., and a pre-tax charge of $4.2 million resulting from a voluntary retirement incentive program, Pathmark Stores, Inc. yesterday said lost $8.5 million, or 16 cents per share, for its first quarter of fiscal 2007 ended May 5, compared to $5.4 million, or 10 cents for the period last year.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. -- The 11th annual Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Financial Performance Report conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP found that the consumer packaged goods industry's median total shareholder return once again achieved historically strong levels in 2006 and outperformed the broader market.

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to help educate state legislators about the growing problem of organized retail crime, the National Retail Federation here said yesterday it has created a comprehensive package detailing organized retail crime for members of NRF's State Association Council.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) said yesterday that Michael B. Polk, president of Unilever Americas, was elected to its board of directors at its annual meeting held in conjunction with the GMA Executive Conference here. The trade group additionally welcomed 23 new member companies.

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to help educate state legislators about the growing problem of organized retail crime, the National Retail Federation here said yesterday it has created a comprehensive package detailing organized retail crime for members of NRF's State Association Council.

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Nielsen Trade Dimensions, a service of The Nielsen Company, revealed that Dallas-based 7-Eleven, Inc. is the United States' leading convenience store chain, according to its 2007 Directory of Convenience Stores.