Ron Burkle buys 7% of Whole Foods, Stop and Shop deploys 50 "Scan it" units, Wal-Mart pays another fine, and Friday Morning One Liners...

Image by tattoodjj via FlickrStop and Shop deploys 'Scan it!' in 50 stores....More from Supermarket News.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said fourth-quarter profit will miss its forecast and predicted January revenue may be little changed as customers curb spending globally.

Greater Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. reported a fiscal third-quarter loss of $13.6 million, or $1.61 a share.

Billionaire Ronald Burkle bought 7% of Whole Foods. Here's more from Progressive Grocer.

Stock in Whole Foods Market here was up more than 22% Thursday after funds associated with Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. revealed they had acquired 7% of the retailer on the open market.
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Stuart Applebaum released a statement in response to a Thursday's announcement by Macy's Inc. that it will close 11 stores in nine states. The stores to be closed are in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Nashville and other locations.

BJ's Sales are up single digits.

Wal-Mart has paid the Southern District of Texas a &637,000 fine to resolve numerous alleged record-keeping violations of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

Wal-Mart's private label could increase by 40%.

Fresh & Easy here has introduced 98-cent Produce Packs in response to a sharp spike in its sales of canned foods over the past few months, particularly canned fruits and vegetables, according to a company release.
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Wegman's is now offering free antibiotics.

Supervalu on Wednesday said it would close 50 struggling stores by next month and slash its capital budget for the coming fiscal year, as it continues to adjust to a rough economy.
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Politics
Adirondack Daily Enterprise mentioned UFCW Local 1500's praise of Patterson's State of the State.

Sarah Palin declares war against Tina Fey, Caroline Kennedy & Katie Couric.

Long Island could get an additional $104M in federal stimulus.

More on Patterson's 'soda tax'