Financial News

SALISBURY, N.C. — Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Delhaize Group, saw a decrease in underlying operating profit prompted by soft sales, an increase in operating expenses to support growth projects and price investments for fourth quarter 2011.

Back pain is one of the leading reasons adults under the age of 45 years call in sick to work, second only to the common cold, according to the American Pain Foundation. All told, back pain results in about 83 million lost work days each year and is cited as one of the more common work-related injuries, especially among those working in physically demanding jobs, and the leading cause of job-related disability and work limitations in those under 45 years of age.


Rechargeable batteries represent a growth area for retailers. A report from the Freedonia Group indicated that alkaline batteries remain the most prevalent type of primary battery, accounting for more than 70% of demand. Sales of other battery chemistries, most notably primary lithium, are expected to gain traction in the market through 2015.


As the population ages, sales of hearing-aid batteries and primary lithium batteries for implantable medical devices are expected to soar.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that its board of directors have declared a quarterly dividend of 11.5 cents per share.

The dividend will be paid June 1 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15.

Nuts, due to their healthy profile, continue to be one of the strongest segments in the snack food category, and Mintel estimated that nuts, seeds and trail mix will continue steady growth through 2015. Trail mix, the smallest segment of the market, showed the greatest growth in the category. Kraft’s Planters leads the category, and its Back to Nature trail mix brand showed gains.

As sales of facial anti-age products slip, the body anti-aging segment also is hitting some wrinkles, according to SymphonyIRI 
Group, a Chicago-based market research firm.


Sales of body anti-aging products, according to SymphonyIRI Group, declined 9% for the 12 weeks ended Jan. 22 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart).

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $37,500 in monetary support and product to assist with tornado relief efforts underway in the central United States. The donation includes $25,000 cash for the American Red Cross to aid their efforts and an additional $12,500 that can be used either as cash or product donations to local organizations in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 16.25 cents per share of common stock.

The dividend is payable May 3 to shareholders of record on April 23.