Loblaw profits up

http://supermarketnews.com/news/loblaw_q1_0504/
Loblaw Profits Up in Q1
TORONTO — Loblaw Cos. here said it eked out a same-store sales gain of 0.3% in the first quarter but profits improved for the period on reduced costs, improved productivity and other factors.
The company, the largest supermarket operator in Canada, posted net income of about $135 million (U.S.), a gain of 25.7%, on sales of $6.8 billion, up 3.1%, compared with the year-ago first quarter.
The company said tonnage sold in the quarter, which ended March 27, was about even with a year ago, but it saw increases in number of transactions and slight declines in average transaction value.
Loblaw attributed improved profit margins to “buying synergies, disciplined vendor management, a stronger Canadian dollar, improved inventory management and control-label profitability,” as well as reduced charges for stock-based compensation in the most recent quarter.
Sales were positively impacted by 2% by the acquisition of the T&T Supermarkets banner in the third quarter of a year ago, and by 0.5% by the positive impact of a labor strike at its Maxi stores in the year-ago first quarter, Loblaw said.

Blueberries and milk?

http://www.contracostatimes.com/health/ci_14993662?nclick_check=1
DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have recently come across several websites that state milk destroys the antioxidant benefits found in blueberries, so you should eat them several hours after consuming milk. What do you think about these claims? — E.L., via e-mail
DEAR E.L.: This is an unwarranted generalization from a study published in the March 2009 issue of Free Radical Biology and Medicine. In that study, specially prepared blueberry extract was mixed with an equal volume of whole milk. Measures of antioxidant potential were checked in vitro (in a test tube) and in human subjects. The part using human subjects involved 11 young, lean study subjects who had refrained from having any fresh fruits and vegetables for two days, and they were given the berry/water or berry/whole milk test mixtures after an overnight fast. The study reported that mixing the berry extract with the whole milk resulted in a reduced absorption of certain antioxidants. The effect was believed to involve an interaction with the milk fat. The authors commented that 2 percent milk had less of an effect than whole milk, and skim milk had less of an effect than 2 percent. The study used a specially prepared extract that was consumed under controlled circumstances!
on an empty stomach. Fruits are not normally eaten this way. Berries, including blueberries, are wonderfulAdvertisementfood. When consumed with or without milk, they provide a great array of healthful phytochemicals and fiber. A study such as this can provide grist for scientific debate, but it shouldn’t be given undue weight to steer people away from eating and enjoying healthful foods.