In the fourth quarter, the economy soared at a faster pace than expected: 5.7%, marking the fastest pace in more than six years, as businesses made less-aggressive cuts to inventories and stepped up spending, Reuters reported. Economists had expected GDP to rise at a 4.6% pace. While the year closed out with a strong fourth…
Excentus Corporation And Safeway Inc. Settle Lawsuit
Excentus Corporation and Safeway Inc. have entered into a settlement and licensing agreement settling all outstanding litigation between them. “We are pleased to put this litigation behind us,” said Safeway spokesman Brian Dowling. “We respect the breadth of the Excentus intellectual property portfolio and look forward to exploring ways to work together on fuel rewards.”…
Rite Aid Supports the American Heart Association
Drug chain Rite Aid is supporting AHA’s “Go Red For Women” movement by providing free heart health guides in all of its stores nationwide now through March and online. One in three women dies from cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), but there are steps women of all ages can take to…
Valero Reports Fourth Quarter, Annual Results
Valero Energy Corporation has reported a fourth quarter loss from continuing operations of $182 million, or $0.32 per share, excluding special items, of $155 million, or $0.28 per share. This compared to a fourth quarter 2008 loss from continuing operations of $3.2 billion, or $6.22 per share, excluding special items, of $795 million, or $1.53…
Bill Bradford to Retire From Valero
Valero Energy Corporation has announced that director Bill Bradford, 75, has decided to retire from the company’s Board of Directors. “Bill has provided 17 years of outstanding service to Valero and its predecessor companies,” said Valero Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse. “The company has benefited greatly from his experience and counsel. We owe Bill our…
Hess, Crompco Sign Five Year Contract
Hess Corporation of Woodbridge, N.J., has entered a five year exclusive contract with Crompco LLC to have the company continue its role as Hess’ sole compliance management and testing service provider. Crompco will support Hess by managing its under ground storage tank (UST), compliance testing schedules, station testing and various other compliance-related needs at Hess’…
Hershey Introduces Pieces Wrapper Rewards Campaign
Singer, songwriter and actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who first achieved success in her music career with her song “Pieces of Me,” celebrates another “Pieces” debut as The Hershey Company adds to its Pieces Candies line. Building off the success of the popular Reese’s Pieces Candy, the new Pieces Candies offer snackable, bite-sized versions of classic favorites…
Independent C-store Retailers To Convene At Expo
The annual Independent C-Store Expo (I-C-Expo), hosted by Royal Buying Group Inc., is coming to Illinois this spring. This year’s expo will feature a trade show floor and meeting space, networking and educational seminars on various topics intended to help all convenience store operators. Speakers will include nationally recognized industry experts, supplier representatives, and a very…
Lifeway Foods Donates to Haiti
Lifeway Foods Inc., makers of the probiotic dairy beverage called Kefir, will donate 5% of the proceeds from all Lifeway and Helios brand Kefir and ProBugs product sales in the U.S. generated through shipments during February to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of Haitian relief efforts. The effort strives to provide life-saving supplies…
Coca-Cola Launches Huge Campaign Around Winter Olympics
Coca-Cola is launching a multi-faceted Olympic Games-themed marketing program in the U.S., anchored by a group of high-profile U.S. Olympians and U.S. Champions, known as the Coca-Cola “Six Pack” of athletes, limited edition Olympic Games-themed packaging, media and digital experiences. Currently hitting supermarkets, convenience stores and mass retailers are limited edition, Coca-Cola Olympic Games-themed collectible…