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The article reports that food retailers in the U.S. are improving their computer security systems. In a study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by PGP Corp., the total cost per company surveyed to recover from a data breach averaged $14 million, or $140 per lost company record. Retail companies in the survey suffered the fourth largest security losses, following data integration companies, financial services and technology firms. Credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard have all stepped into the fray, mandating data security standards for any retailer that processes, stores or transmits credit card information. INSET: Missing Laptops.

The article focuses on the launch of extended discount kiosks of Albertsons company in Los Angeles and San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The kiosks, which offer loyalty shoppers up to 12 specials based on their shopping history as they enter a store, were originally installed last fall in over 200 Albertsons-owned Jewel/Osco stores in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. By this fall, the program is expected to be in over 1,000 Albertsons-operated stores, including its Intermountain region and Acme division.

The article features Thomas Zaucha, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA). Zaucha has devoted more than 30 years to ensuring that independent retailers can still exist and prosper in an industry full of large chain mergers and proliferation. Another big issue facing the NGA is the interchange fees mandated by credit card companies.

The article features Douglas Conant, president and CEO of Campbell Soup Co. Since becoming president and CEO of the company in 2001, Conant has introduced several twists to its classic soups. Under Conant, Campbell has focused on reducing the sodium in its soups, innovating packaging and introducing premium soups.

This article reports on the decision of supermarket retailer Hannaford Bros. to test the in-store recipe kiosks from ShoptoCook. Each store has two kiosks, one in the fresh meat and seafood department and one in fresh produce. The touch screens kiosks are designed to attract shoppers and ultimately boost sales by providing access to recipes.

The article reports on the increasing number of U.S. retailers that are beginning to sell reusable bags or bins to shoppers, as plastic and paper grocery bags come under increasing scrutiny for their environmental impact in 2006. One of the latest examples is the polypropylene Cart Helper bag from Care Co. International in Omaha, Nebraska. Ukrop's Super Markets in Richmond, Virginia also has been selling plastic Greenbox bins designed to carry groceries in lieu of paper and plastic bags.

The article provides information on the food products that were exhibited at the 52nd Summer Fancy Food Show in New York in July 2006. Beverages with unusual flavors, all-natural pet snacks and frozen puff pastries were among the products on retailers' shopping lists at the show. Bill Hogan, general manager of Dave's Marketplace, was on the lookout for sauces, dairy items and frozen finger foods at the show. Calvin Mayne, chief operating officer of Dorothy Lane Market, sought out traditionally made foods.

The article reports on the increase in the number of children using consumer electronics and watching television in the U.S., according to two studies focusing on the growing presence of digital media in the young consumer's lifestyle published in 2006. The first study, Kids & Consumer Electronics II, reported that children are starting to use consumer electronics six months earlier than a year ago. The second study found that 83% of children under age 6 use screen media, averaging about two hours per day.

The article discusses the results of the From Film to DVD trend report from Guideline, issued in June 2006 in the U.S., which focused on the market opportunities for the DVD sales of supermarkets. Eighty-five percent of consumers watch movies at home, with 49% of respondents not watching a movie until its DVD release. The study also noted that women are more likely than men to wait for the DVD release. Since women are the main supermarket consumers, Frank Dudley, Guideline's vice president of marketing, believes supermarkets could learn from the research.

The article reports on the launch of the Hunger Has a Cure campaign developed by Food Lion. Consumers can choose to either make monetary donations or purchase ready-made, discounted boxes of food to be given to local food banks affiliated with the U.S. Second Harvest Network, a hunger relief organization.

The article discusses the efforts of U.S. retailers to prepare for hurricane season. Sweetbay Supermarkets has stocked up on generators to fully protect its distribution center in Tampa, Florida. As needed, the generators can be transported to other locations. Likewise, Wal-Mart Stores has installed generator-docking spaces in many of its stores.