Consumer Affairs & Relations

BOSTON — The future North American grocery business of Kraft Foods will deliver steady and profitable top-line growth, consistent bottom-line growth and a superior dividend payout, according to the business' future executive team.

CINCINNATI — Kroger attributed its gains in sales and earnings in the second quarter to cost control and increased customer loyalty and was confident enough to raise its earnings guidance.

The retailer reported net earnings of $279.1 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $280.8 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. reported Thursday that same-store sales for the month of August slid 8.2%. The report came on the heels of Wednesday’s announcement that Tricare would not reinstate the drug retailer into the pharmacies approved to fill prescriptions.

NEW YORK — Macy’s has raised $4 million for March of Dimes and various charitable organizations across the country as a result of its 2012 “Shop For A Cause” event.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced Wednesday it will close about 60 underperforming or nonstrategic stores in fiscal 2012. The closings include 22 Save-A-Lot locations, 27 Albertsons stores, four Acme stores and one previously announced Jewel-Osco.

The majority of the stores are expected to close before Dec. 1, which marks the end of the company’s fiscal 2013 third quarter.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday announced that it plans to file a registration statement in the United States for a potential initial public offering of a minority ownership stake in Blackhawk Network Holdings, a leading prepaid payments network.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning announced Tuesday that it has named former Big Lots head Brady Churches as its new CEO, stepping in for former CEO Kathleen Mason who was terminated by the company in June.

Mason has since filed suit against the closeout retailer, alleging that she was fired because she disclosed that she has breast cancer.

Churches’ appointment is effective immediately. His most recent position was as president of Marketing Results Ltd. Prior to that he was president of Big Lots.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers said Friday it is asking Baltimore residents to suggest stores and restaurants they want to open at their local Parkville Shopping Center through an online crowdsourcing platform called Popularise. 

The leasing recommendations will be considered as part of the grocery-anchored center’s renovation, which has begun construction.