FOOD LION ADDS ‘GUIDING STARS’
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion said last week that it has officially launched the Guiding Stars nutritional guideline system in all its stores. The system, which identifies products by nutritional content using a rating of one, two or three stars, debuted at Food Lion's sister chain, Hannaford Bros., in 2006 and was later introduced at Sweetbay stores in Florida. All three chains are owned by Brussels-based Delhaize Group. About 28,000 food items were analyzed for the system. “Based on initial research, our company has experienced a positive response from customers who desire assistance with nutritious shopping for themselves and their families,” Ken Mills, Food Lion's vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement.
WEIS PROFITS FALL AS COSTS RISE
SUNBURY, Pa. — Rising costs for fuel and for credit and debit card transaction fees contributed to a 29% drop in quarterly earnings for Weis Markets, the retailer here said last week. Net earnings of $12.8 million for the 13-week second quarter ending June 28 fell from $18.2 million in the same period last year, which included a $5.3 million gain from the sale of two properties. Sales in the quarter increased by 4.3% to $603.4 million, with comparable-store sales increasing by 4.3% as Weis benefited from “aggressive promotional, pricing and transaction-building programs.” Year-to-date sales are up 4.2% to $1.2 billion, with comps up 4.5%, Weis said. Net income of $21.9 million is down 30.7% year-to-date.
SAM'S OFFERS CARDS TO STUDENTS
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club here said last week that it is introducing a new membership program for college students. With a valid college identification and a collegiate email address, students can obtain a one-year collegiate membership at Sam's for $40 — the same price paid by Advantage (non-business) members and $5 more than the $35 paid by business members. Each card comes with a complimentary add-on card so roommates or housemates can share the membership, the company said.
STIMULUS CHECKS NOT SPENT ON FOOD
TORONTO — Despite rising food costs, low consumer confidence and efforts to attract spenders, approximately 84% of U.S. consumers said they did not use their economic stimulus checks for groceries, according to Precima, a retail analytics firm here. The study was conducted during the first week of June and was based on a sample of 1,948 consumers. “The grocery industry didn't convince the American consumer that maximum return on stimulus checks could be achieved right in the supermarket aisles,” Brian Ross, general manager of Precima, said in a statement.
Panel Cites Need for L.A. Grocers
LOS ANGELES — A commission here has recommended that supermarket companies operating within the city make a commitment to locate at least one new store a year in underserved communities in the area. Not only would providing more stores in underserved areas be the right thing to do, the commission said, but it would also mean residents would not have to drive miles out of their way to shop for low-cost, healthy foods, and it would provide jobs for residents within those communities. The commission was made up of representatives from community and religious organizations, and based its recommendations on testimony from industry workers, health professionals and others during public hearings in May.
