Marketing

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Escalating food costs may have a firm grip on consumers' wallets, but one retailer is promising "to keep prices low and [its] quality and service high."

Wegmans this week said that it will not change the prices on 40 of the products most important to families through the end of 2011. According to the company's website, many of the items listed include store-brand products and produce. Wegmans also noted that counting different varieties and sizes, about 200 items are covered by the company's price pledge.

NEW YORK — The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index reached 70.4 in February, a three-year high from February 2008, thanks to growing optimism about the short-term future.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As expected, CVS/pharmacy officially has introduced a new line of store-brand products called Just the Basics, which is comprised of household essentials. As previously reported, the retailer unveiled plans to launch the new line during its 2010 analyst day in October.

The new product line, exclusively available at CVS/pharmacy, is comprised of nearly 100 items, and there are plans to expand the line going forward.

New York City -- Saks returned to profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter as the chain sold more items at full-price and used fewer promotions. The company reported net income of $25 million for the period ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $4.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 7% to $866.3 million, topping Wall Street's estimate of $854.4 million. Same store sales were up 8.4%.

Tarrytown, N.Y. -- DLC Management Corp. said Tuesday that two of its Northeast Leasing team members have successfully achieved the Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS) designation from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Evan Podob, VP -- director of Northeast leasing, and Christopher Ressa, senior leasing representative -- Northeast, received their certifications in January.
 

Atlanta -- Commerce, Mich.-based LaVida Massage said it will open a new location in Kennesaw, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta.

The new, 2,692-sq.-ft. center, a franchise location, is slated to open in early April.

Vienna, Va. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has named Jack deVilliers as leasing agent in Baltimore, Maryland and the New England area. 

deVilliers will be responsible for leasing 13 operating properties, totaling 1.8 million sq. ft., in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Previously, deVilliers served as a retail leasing associate for commercial real estate broker KLNB Retail, handling tenant and landlord representation of new retail development projects.

NEW IBERIA, La. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has tapped the leader of a food manufacturer to serve on its board of directors.

J.S. "Si" Brown, president and CEO of Bruce Foods, will serve on GMA's board. Brown has held led the company, which specializes in manufacturing Cajun and Tex-Mex products, since 1973.

NEW IBERIA, La. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has tapped the leader of a food manufacturer to serve on its board of directors.

J.S. "Si" Brown, president and CEO of Bruce Foods, will serve on GMA's board. Brown has held led the company, which specializes in manufacturing Cajun and Tex-Mex products, since 1973.

ST. LOUIS — Save-A-Lot on Monday announced that it was expanding its reach by opening five new stores in the Chicago market.

Save-A-Lot, the hard-discount, limited-assortment grocery retailer and subsidiary of Supervalu, would nearly double its presence in the area, bringing the total Chicagoland stores to 13. The five stores, located in Chicago's South Side, range in size from 11,000 to 21,000 sq. ft.