Friday Afternoon One Liners...

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Wal-Mart "confident" on defeat of Employee Free Choice.

Should America expect more from Wal-Mart? [Bloomberg]

Report: 20 members fired in Arizona for "Union Activity".

Wal-Mart plans a new 'Hispanic' supermarket format.

Duane Reade has some successful 'fresh food' taste tests.

Save Mart Supermarkets in California said it has eliminated a handful of corporate and support staff to eliminate redundancies left over from its 2007 acquisition of 130 Albertsons stores.
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Public outcry on Food Safety and Sanitation increases.

Bruno’s Supermarkets has asked U.S. Bankruptcy Court here to void parts of its contracts with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, saying that successor agreements in the deals are an “impenetrable barrier” to a potential sale and survival of the chain.
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Aldi spends millions to expand to Texas.

Politics

NY Times on Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer, "Economic Meltdown is no laughing matter"

Anthony Weiner takes a step back from the Mayoral race, for now.

Patterson pushes the expansion of COBRA benefits.

Lee Scott said what?, Another tax loophole closes for Wal-Mart, FTC tells Whole Foods to rebrand Wild Oats, Trader John's

Image via WikipediaYesterday Lee Scott addressed the National Retail Federation in New York City, urging cooperation to solve the nations health care crisis.

Lee Scott, the outgoing chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, asked business leaders to embrace such initiatives as universal health care, renewable energy and immigration reform during a presentation to attendees at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show here yesterday.

He [Lee Scott], also sees a new consumer mindset.

Local retailers throughout China are teaming up to battle Wal-Mart.

Another Wal-Mart Tax loophole may come to an end, this time in West Virginia.

The UFCW is gearing up for their Wal-Mart battle in Canada.

More info on Wal-Mart's new private label line "the Wal-Mart Great Value line"

And if that's not enough Wal-Mart news, they're also on the verge of setting up shop in Russia.

The FTC asks Whole Foods to re-brand Wild Oats.

Whole Foods is also putting off another store, this time in New Hampshire.

Wegman's CEO recognized for 'business ethics'

AdAge brings up a great point regarding the Trader Joe's, Trader John's lawsuit. "But in New York, no one's afraid to blatantly copy and/or steal a good idea -- hence Ray's Original Pizza, Ray's Pizza, Famous Ray's Original Pizza, Original Famous Ray's Pizza, New York's Rayriginal's Fizza, etc"

Progressive Grocer picked up the story also.

Food Marketing Institute’s new president and chief executive officer said the association is working diligently on a range of issues with Congress and the incoming Obama administration.

Politics

Caroline Kennedy still has a shot at the Senate seat says Governor Patterson.

Tom Suozzi met with Patterson on the Senate seat.

Anthony Weiner blames Mayor Bloomberg for New York City's growing problems, specifically the "boom-and-bust planning"

Democrats, first time in control of the State Senate since 1965 made some moves yesterday.

Elsewhere

A battle is raging on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where CVS is wooing cash-strapped shoppers with house-brand anti-wrinkle cream that’s as much as 30 percent cheaper than L’Oreal SA’s Advanced Revitalift.

Buying online to avoid sales taxes could end soon.

Zoo's and Aquariums may face the ax here.

Do the Rockerfeller Drug laws need reform?

Canada Justices to hear Wal-Mart v.s. UFCW, Trader John's update, Monday Morning Read.

Image by Getty Images via DaylifePenn Traffic Co., Syracuse, said Friday that it would close eight stores early next month as part of a strategy to invest behind its best-performing assets. The company said it would work with union representatives and employees to find the "best solution" for the affected workers.

The recession finally hits Wal-Mart.

Lee Scott thinks retailers specifically can help the plummeting economy.

Trader Joe's is suing Gristedes....Here's more at Bloomberg News.

In Minnesota, unionization gets a renewed push.

Canada Justices to hear WalMart vs UFCW.

Up to four stores at Atlas Park may close.


Politics

With Caroline Kennedy stumbling in her debut performance as Sen. Clinton's replacement-in-waiting, some are asking why Gov. David Patterson wouldn't pick New York's attorney general, Andrew Cuomo for Clinton's seat after she is named secretary of state.

Meanwhile Patterson & Kennedy meet to discuss the Senate.

A Queens assemblyman has proposed a four-day workweek for some state employees to help offset the $15 billion budget deficit faced by New York in 2009.

Just as the recession is throwing people out of work at an alarming rate, the unemployment insurance system in New York and many other states will start cutting off benefits this week for thousands of people who have been unable to find jobs since early last year.

Anthony Weiner, trying to fight his way out of Mayor Bloomberg's shadow.

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Whole Foods calls FTC pursuit a waste of time, BJ's Wholesale Club finds a new CEO, more one liners...

via FlickrImage by Storm Crypt via Flickr

Study shows an 84% increase in shoplifting.

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey said that the Federal Trade Commission's pursuit of antitrust claims in his company's acquisition of Wild Oats is "almost a vendetta" and is wasting time and money

Here's another story about getting locally grown food to Long Island schools.

Black Friday Death

Crain's reports the results from the Wal-Mart 'Black Friday' hearing yesterday.

Wal-Mart Organized in Canada

If you didn't hear another Wal-Mart was organized in Canada, the Mayor of the town is worried Wal-Mart will close the store.

Wal-Mart to purchase more from India

Wal-Mart spokesperson: "We will purchase around $630 million worth of goods directly from India this year - mostly apparel, home furnishings, textiles, shoes and jewelry. This is about 40% more than 2005. In addition, we purchase another $1.2 billion worth of goods from suppliers who source from India. We anticipate similar growth in the next year or two.”

The Asia Times questions if WakeupWal-Mart's advertising strategy is too aggressive....Their latest ad is available here.

BJ's Wholesale Club has a new CEO.

Fresh Market is opening a store in New Hampshire. They're still active in looking to open a store in either Long Island or upstate NY.

And Anthony Weiner is still running for Mayor.