In a cost-cutting measure the say will save them $4 to $6 million annually, Jewel-Osco baggers are being trained to refrain from double bagging groceries and not offer the option of bagging with paper or plastic bags. Jewel-Osco's parent company, Supervalu, has endured nearly three years of falling revenues as cost-conscious shoppers are stretching their dollars at discount supermarkets and feel that every unused 2-cent bag left at the counter means less ordering for replenishments. more ›

Supervalu, Inc., the parent company of Jewel-Osco, is offering office workers the opportunity to volunteer to take time off through Feb. 26. The announcement is being billed as a cost-cutting measure and the voluntary aspect of it was stressed by both Supervalu and the service employees union that represents Jewel-Osco grocery employees. But since union employees can't be forced to take time off, it shouldn't matter to them. more ›

Last month, Downers Grove joined a nationwide trend when they passed a measure allowing Sunday liquor sales to begin at 9 a.m. instead of noon--a change that local restaurants and hotels wanted to cash in on Bears games. Since 2002, 14 other states have dropped their liquor-related Blue Laws and allowed Sunday sales of alcohol, bringing the total number of states to 36, says Lisa Hawkins of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. "Blue Laws simply don't make sense in today's economy. They inconvenience consumers and deprive states of much-needed tax revenue," she said to the Chicago Sun-Times. more ›

Interesting little story in today's Sun-Times about how Jewel boasting they were slashing prices on thousands of items last spring. Prompted by announced higher-than-expected quarterly profits by Jewel's parent company Supervalu, New York-based market analysts Jeffries & co. conducted a market-basket survey and found that Jewel's prices actually increased 6 percent. the survey measured fast-selling items like milk, bread and eggs, as well as perishables, and found the average basket value of groceries at Jewel-Osco stores in January was $163. Jeffries & Co. also found Jewel to have fewer promotions. more ›

Michael Jordan, the Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who led the Chicago Bulls to six championships, has filed suit against Dominick's and Jewel, claiming "violation of the right of publicity, false endorsement, false designation of origin, deceptive business practices, and unfair competition." Both grocery chains ran full page ads in a special commemorative issue of Sports Illustrated dedicated to his life and his career. more ›

The Sun-Times is reporting that Jewel-Osco is cutting prices up to 20 percent on thousands of products to assist shoppers on tight incomes and bargain hunters. [Sun-Times] more ›

As Wal-Mart gets ready for Round Two of the Retail Wars in Chicago, Supervalu, which owns Jewel-Osco, is remodeling 25 local stores to stay competitive in the market, Crain's is reporting. more ›

Sure, flights at O'Hare get delayed all the time, and Midway can be kind of a pain, but Orlando International Airport was closed due to the stink of dead rats. It's an ongoing problem. [Trib. Please, someone's crappy metal band, name yourself "Rat Stench."] more ›