Content about Economics

NEW YORK — Food prices reached peak levels last month, according to the Labor Department's Producer Price Index.

The index noted that the month of February experienced a surge of 3.9% in food prices, the largest increase since a 4.2% climb reported in November 1974. PPI also noted that about 70% of the February rise can be attributed to higher prices for fresh and dry vegetables, which jumped 48.7%.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index rose to more than 4% during the month of February, thanks to slight improvements in two sectors.

The index attempts to track consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending and is comprised of four components: unemployment claims, tax burden, real wages and real home prices. It rose to 4.02% from 3.92% in January.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday urged Congress to permit the Federal Reserve Board to expedite the implementation of an amendment to the financial-reform legislation from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that would limit the fees charged to retail merchants on debit card transactions (known as “swipe fees”) to a level that is “reasonable and proportionate” to the costs incurred by the banks and credit card associations to process these transactions.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday beat analysts’ quarterly consensus, posting 46 cents in earnings per share (adjusted for a goodwill impairment charge) that exceeded consensus by 2 cents EPS, with a higher-than-expected identical-store sales lift of 3.8% (excluding fuel).

Same-store sales were particularly strong across natural food, bakery and deli/meat, Kroger chairman and CEO David Dillon told analysts during a conference call. “We were particularly pleased by sales growth in our drug and merchandise departments,” Dillon said.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation last week responded to the Federal Reserve's proposal to cap debit card swipe fees at 12 cents per transaction.

WASHINGTON — The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still fell short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7. The index has not risen above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

BOSTON — A mobile shopping platform has inked a deal to sell its checkout solution to various retailers.

AisleBuyer said that Alliance will sell its mobile self-checkout solution, which allows shoppers to scan a bar code, read product information and reviews, and complete the checkout process directly from a mobile device without having to wait in line.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets last week announced it has lowered the prices on 2,400 staple items, effective Jan. 2, and that it will freeze the prices of these products for 90 days through April 2.

It is the company’s sixth round of its 90-day Price Freeze program over the past two years.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General reported that its third-quarter net income was $128 million, or a diluted earnings per share of 37 cents.

Excluding a net loss of $8 million ($5 million after income taxes) relating to the early repayment of certain long-term obligations, net income for the 2010 third quarter was $133 million, or a diluted EPS of 39 cents, a 76% increase over net income of $76 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

WASHINGTON — A coalition of six associations, including the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, on Thursday called on Congress to repeal the requirement that prevents consumers from using their flexible spending accounts to purchase over-the-counter medicines without a prescription as of Jan. 1.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A provider of self-service kiosk solutions has inked a definitive agreement to acquire an operator of unattended DVD rental kiosks.

NEW YORK There's talk that nail polish company OPI Products is looking to sell itself for at least $900 million, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

OPI reportedly is in discussions with several parties, including Coty and private-equity firm Bain Capital, according to WSJ, which cited "people familiar with the matter."

Harris Shepard Public Relations, which represents OPI, stated: "The rumors about the sale of OPI have persisted for years. Other than that, [we] have no comment. Thank you."