grocery stores

As part of a plan to increase access to high-quality nutritious foods, First Lady Michelle Obama announced on Wednesday that she is teaming up with several of the country's largest food retailers. From healthier foods to new jobs, see what's in store for big chains like Walmart.

The grocery market has been rough in the last decade as big-box stores have emerged as new competitors. But before you dismiss an opportunity in the traditional grocery space, here's why bargain-shopping investors should take a stroll down the aisles of Supervalu.

Albertson's, a Southern and Western U.S. grocery chain, has had enough with self-checkout lanes. Albertson's is pulling its do-it-yourself lanes in about half of its 217 company-operated stores to make way for regular and express employee-operated lanes. (The 450 stores operated by SuperValu get to...

Pickle manufacturers are in something of a pickle these days as they search for ways to drive more "aisle turn-in." In other words, with pickles located in the condiment aisle in most grocery stores, they're about as far away from the "impulse buy" sections as one salty jar of vinegary vegetables...

Men, who have endured slightly higher unemployment rates than women, have been taking on more of the household shopping, according to a recent report. The trend hasn't boded well for stores: On average, men spend less than women on each trip.

In this economy, cash-strapped consumers have become more budget conscious and less concerned about appearing cheap. As a result, better-known brands have steadily been losing ground to store-branded food products.

Supermarket chain Kroger boosted sales and turned a profit in its fiscal third quarter, but failed to beat Wall Street earnings estimates and lowered the top of its 2010 earnings forecast range. Shares fell 9.3% on the news to close at $21.63 Thursday.

Whole Foods shares rose Friday after a Jeffries analyst upgraded the stock, saying the grocery's strategy of offering lower-priced items has accelerated sales while maintaining low costs.

Walmart has renewed its efforts to purchase Russian supermarket chain Kopeika, following reports that competing Russian grocer X5's interest in acquiring it has waned, according to Reuters.

Investor Nelson Peltz sold 1.6 million shares in H.J. Heinz Co. (HNZ), reducing his stake by about one third. He now holds about 1% of the company's shares. Peltz has sold shares worth $75.9 million since Friday, Dow Jones Newswires reported. Sponsored Links In 2006, Peltz successfully fought...