Feed Editor 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT The ALA Executive Briefing provides industry-specific news and information to military retail system professionals. Delivered weekly, the publication keeps these professionals informed of topics that impact their business. http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/alaorg/rss.xml en House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently stressed the importance of passing a war spending bill by the time lawmakers leave for an Independence Day recess, but questions remain about what exactly will be included in the legislation. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c9eec4bf9a 1 Industry officials said that Ashton B. Carter, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, had called a meeting with contractors and lobbyists to address ways to cut waste. In addition to trimming its own bureaucracy, the Pentagon is looking for savings in how it hands out hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts for weapons and services each year. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c9feee2323 2 Congress won't make Defense Secretary Robert Gate's July 4 deadline for passing a war supplemental funding bill, but there is now a glimmer of hope that lawmakers might get the measure passed before August, when the military would begin to face severe cash-flow problems. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca0992f2a3 3 Gen. David Petraeus, the Army officer credited with turning around the war in Iraq three years ago, was confirmed by the Senate Wednesday to become the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, where he has been tasked with doing the same thing for another conflict. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca192bff44 4 China has used the 60th anniversary of the Korean War to finally admit the conflict was started by North Korea. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca20d4b3ad 5 Mr. Obama, aides say, consulted with advisers — some, like Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who warned of the dangers of replacing General McChrystal, others, like his political advisers, who thought he had to go. He reached out for advice to a soldier-statesman, Colin L. Powell. He identified a possible successor to lead the war in Afghanistan. Finally, the president ended General McChrystal's command in a meeting that lasted only 20 minutes. According to one aide, the general apologized, offered his resignation and did not lobby for his job. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca2a50cb80 6 As the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War is marked on Friday, the Korean Peninsula remains in limbo. To the south of the DMZ is a modern, democratic state, while to the north is a totalitarian regime that let as many as two million people die of famine in the 1990s rather than open itself to the world. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca33b1b77d 7 Officials are looking for redundancies in organizations and programs, according to chief of operations. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ca40501af8 8 National brands are losing their hold on consumer dollars, as private labels churn out higher-quality products and stores launch ad campaigns touting their brands. Almost all U.S. households buy one store brand regularly, according to SymphonyIRI Group, with households earning $100,000 becoming the biggest converts. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2cc629b7fc2 9 Albertsons, a division of Supervalu here, and SunEdison recently announced the activation of rooftop solar power systems at three Albertsons grocery stores in Carlsbad, Oceanside and Alpine, Calif. The solar installations were constructed by REC Solar. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8df91b22b 10 ConAgra Foods has announced that its Snack Pack pudding line now includes the three new flavors of blueberry muffin, cinnamon roll and sugar-free caramel. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2cc66f3a555 11 Kroger announced that it is partnering with the USO to thank the men and women of the armed forces and their families. Through mid-August, customers and associates at participating locations of the Kroger family of stores will be able to show their appreciation and gratitude to service members by donating spare change in specially - marked coin boxes at check stands. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c9251a7188 12 Publix, Kroger's Atlanta division and HEB's Central Market banner in Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas, have signed on to promote Florida seafood products this month and the next through an advertising partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8ef26ff95 13 Kraft Food's $18.4 billion acquisition of Cadbury has triggered a revamping of the marketing plan for its 10 "power" brands. Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates, Halls lozenges and Trident gum are now part of the premium marketing mix, while Philadelphia cream cheese, Carte Noire coffee and Toblerone chocolate did not make the list. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2cc6cbf01af 14 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. vice chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright has been appointed president and CEO of Global.com and Global Sourcing, and Bill Simon has been promoted to president and CEO of Walmart U.S. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8e2e994a5 15 Forty years ago there were no prepared food departments, and no in-store cafes. You'd never find a coffee shop inside a grocery store, and certainly no organic departments.That was then. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8fa3b9beb 16 Consumers' increasing appetite for mobile applications is driving online retailers to speed up their mobile marketing initiatives. According to a Forrester Research Inc. study produced in partnership with Shop.org, the National Retail Federation's digital division, nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of online retailers either already have or are developing a mobile strategy. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8f76ea09d 17 ONE Bio, Corp., an innovative company utilizing green process manufacturing to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural and health supplements and organic products, announced that its subsidiary, United Green Technology, Inc. through its Chinese operating unit, signed two distribution agreements with supermarket chains for distributing its organic vegetable and fruits products. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c8fd3e41af 18 The American Logistics Association,a compelling force in the military market place for over 90 years. Your first call for business opportunity. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c99473cda7 19 The New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) has decided not to support the wine in grocery stores bill currently before the Assembly as the Wine Industry and Liquor Store Revitalization Act, the Albany Times-Union reports. Convenience stores initially applauded the budget inclusion of a change that would allow convenience and grocery stores to sell wine. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2c91dd05121 20 Cedar Grove's composting business might explode when Seattle begins its ban on all throwaway single-use service ware; all the takeout service ware — containers, plates and cups — sold in fast-food restaurants, must be compostable. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2cd032ec8b1 21 The sandwiches segment of the U.S. fast food industry has been growing at a very healthy rate for the past few years despite the growing concerns such as rising health consciousness and increasing incidences of obesity problems in the US population. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ccfa39548b 22 If you walk into one of the fitness buildings for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron at an air base here and yell, "Sergeant Ramos," you'll probably get more than one person answering. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2cc9d14f48c 23 Participating Outback Steakhouse restaurants around the country held a "Thanks for Giving" campaign in March, in which customers could demonstrate support for the nation's servicemembers by ordering from a special "Red, White and Bloomin'" menu. A portion of the proceeds from menu sales during the March initiative contributed to the $1 million commitment Outback Steakhouse made to Operation Homefront, officials said. 1 Jul 2010 16:11:43 CDT http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4c2ccb890f7f2 24