Financial News

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced that four of the UFCW/multi-employer pension funds to which the company contributes will merge into a new fund, effective Jan. 1. This new arrangement is expected to reduce Kroger's annual pension contribution expense and will secure the pension benefits of more than 65,000 Kroger associates.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Winn-Dixie Foundation on Thursday announced it is investing nearly $1.4 million in neighborhoods across the Southeast through partnerships with 116 nonprofit organizations, providing a broad range of services critical to helping communities flourish and individuals triumph.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid experienced stronger sales in third quarter 2012 as it expanded its Wellness+ loyalty card program and saw continued growth in flu immunizations and the Wellness store format, the company said Thursday.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 both proved positive for Stater Bros., the regional supermarket chain announced Tuesday.

For the fourth quarter ended Sept. 25, the retailer saw a 5% increase in sales to $941.9 million, compared with the year-ago period. For the 52-week fiscal year, sales rose 2.4% to $3.7 billion, the company said. Same-store sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year experienced a 5% and 2.5% jump in same-store sales, respectively.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. reported sales of $21.18 billion and profits of $320 million during first quarter 2012, according to an earnings statement.

Skin care brands that contain such ingredients as shea butter, olive oil and tea tree oil could be missing an opportunity among ethnic consumers, according to research company Mintel.

Beauty market research company the NPD Group recently reported that total prestige makeup dollar sales in U.S. department stores were on the rise during the first 10 months of 2011, and gift sets proved to be no exception.

Between January and October, total prestige makeup dollar sales in U.S. department stores were $2.8 million, an increase of 8% in dollars compared with the same time last year. All prestige segments saw dollar growth.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey has set its sights on a privately held confectionery company based in Canada.

The chocolate giant said that it has reached an agreement to acquire Brookside Foods, which is based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, which primarily sells its product line in the United States and Canada. Brookside's annual net sales are approximately $85 million Canadian dollars, the companies said.