- In Washington State, where Costco is suing the state’s Liquor Control Board in federal court over regulations requiring that beer and wine from out of state producers be bought through third party wholesalers, attorneys for the state regulators have asked that all or part of the case be dismissed.
Costco alleges that the regulations inhibit competition and drive up prices; the state says that Costco hasn’t proven that it has been harmed by the regulations, and maintains that the federal court has no jurisdiction in the case.
- Bloomberg reports that Safeway treasurer Brian Fox has been quoted as saying that the company has seen a slowdown in consumer spending during late June and July, apparently because of high oil prices – which have caused consumers to tighten their belts in other categories.
- Published reports suggest that the tomatoes contaminated with salmonella that caused more than 400 people who are at Sheetz convenience stores to get sick may have come from farms in South Carolina and/or Florida. Investigators from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reportedly are visiting farms in both states as they attempt to ascertain the source of the illness.
- Safeway announced that it was voluntarily recalling some scallions, or green onions sold in certain areas of California and Nevada, because they may be contaminated with salmonella.
- Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. reportedly is converting one of its mainstream units in Corsicana, Texas, to its Olé Foods Store banner, scheduled to open next week.
The Olé format has a broader fresh foods presentation, as well as an expanded selection of items from Mexico and Central America to cater to the store’s multi-cultural customer vase.
- Spartan Stores announced that it plans to put “Quick Stop” convenience stores and gasoline pumps at an unspecified number of its 54 Family Fare Supermarkets and Glen's Markets.
- Published reports say that Australia’s last two independent grocers, Foodworks and Australian United Retailers, plan to merge and create single brand identity for some 700 supermarkets and c-stores.
