IGA, Chicago, said last week it plans to develop its existing on-line exchange to the level that it will essentially connect with every point within its global system's supply and distribution channels. IGA said its Alliance exchange, a business-to-
cutive officer, said, "A unified connectivity will deliver solutions directly to the door of every IGA retailer, whether his or her independent business is in Johannesburg or Joplin [Mo.]. The retailers who represent us face ever-changing marketplaces that demand a variety of go-to-market strategies."
Marsh Supermarkets, Indianapolis, said it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Ross Supermarkets, Muncie, Ind., which operates five stores in Muncie. Marsh said it would close one of the stores in the next few months, but retain all Ross employees. Rusty Ross, president of Ross Supermarkets, called his decision to sell the company "very difficult," but added he "realized that joining with a larger company would provide long-term job security for my employees -- something I could not do with the changes that are coming in the Muncie market."
