Large Chains

AUSTIN — While the White House may be working with several retailers to combat so-called food deserts, those who can afford to spend more on their grocery bill are doing just that, helping to drive up profits at Whole Foods.

The company reported that its third-quarter profit rose 35% to $88.5 million, compared with $65.7 million in the year-earlier period.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grocery distributor and retailer Spartan Stores reported that its net sales for the first quarter increased 4.4% to $602.6 million compared with $577.2 million in the same period last year. Both the distribution and retail segments reported improved sales during the quarter, the company said.

Austin -- Whole Foods Market reported Wednesday a profit jump of 35% to $88.5 million, compared with $65.7 million in the year-earlier period.

Revenue rose 11% to $2.4 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations, and same-store sales rose 8.4%.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Supervalu banner Shaw's has implemented the Nutrition iQ program in its stores.

The Nutrition iQ program, which was developed and implemented in collaboration with dietitians from Joslin Clinic, features color-coded icons on shelf tags and signs that serve as at-a-glance cues to help shoppers identify and find healthy food options. The program arrives in stores this week and will be accompanied by an advertising and promotions campaign to educate consumers.

Brussels, Belgium -- Belgian supermarket retailer Delhaize Group said Wednesday that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Serbian retailer Delta Maxi.

Combined with its existing operations in Greece and Romania, Delhaize is now, with this transaction, considered a leading retail force in Southeastern Europe.

Bentonville, Ark. -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Wal-Mart Stores has named Morten Knudsen as CFO for Asia, as the retailer recasts its leadership roles in the region amidst top-heavy turnover.

Knudsen, who was previously VP for corporate finance in Asia for Danone, takes the financial chief spot for Wal-Mart Asia effective Sept. 1.

Since May, Wal-Mart has lost Japanese chief Toru Noda and three of its top executives in China, including the CFO and COO Roland Lawrence and Rob Cissell, respectively.
 

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Tuesday reported first-quarter fiscal 2012 net sales of $11.1 billion (down 3.7%, versus last year) and net earnings of $74 million (up 10.4%), or 35 cents per diluted share. Posted net earnings beat the analyst consensus of 33 cents per diluted share.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division.

Giordano, 57, has been president of the company's Quality Food Centers division, based in Seattle, since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to SVP merchandising for Kroger.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said Tuesday that it has promoted its current Quality Food Centers division president Donna Giordano to president of the Ralphs Division.

Giordano, who has been based in Seattle with QFC, replaces Mike Donnelly, who was promoted to senior VP merchandising for Kroger. She will be based in Los Angeles.
 

Minneapolis -- Supervalu reported Tuesday that earnings for the first quarter rose 10% to $74 million, compared with $67 million in the year-ago period. The grocer cited effective cost-cutting for the strong performance, which topped Wall Street expectations.

The operator of Albertsons and Jewel-Osco supermarkets saw revenue fall 4% to $11.11 billion, just missing analysts’ expectations of $11.13 billion. Same-store sales dropped 3.9%.