CINCINNATI -- Falling profit margins on gasoline sales have played havoc with Kroger's earnings this year, but that is not stopping it from building more supermarket fuel centers. Nor is it necessarily limiting them to locations where it has adjoining food stores.

The company has been adding new supermarket fuel centers at a brisk clip in recent years. It currently has 850 across the country, up from 781 at the end of its 2008 fiscal year (January 2009) and 696 at the end of fiscal 2007.

STEWARTSTOWN, Pa. -- Rutter's Farm Stores opened its newest store, in Stewartstown, Pa., on Christmas Eve. The 24-hour store—the convenience chain's biggest and most environmentally friendly store ever—created 40 jobs. Rutter's plans to continue to operate its existing store in Stewartstown.

And Rutter's has announced charitable donations totaling $204,000 to 30 organizations. These donations—in addition to previously announced contributions totaling $56,500 to 11 food pantries—bring Rutter's total 2009 giving to $260,000.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Altria Group Inc. is expecting Copenhagen Wintergreen, its new smokeless product variety, which started selling in stores across the country this month, to have a big impact. It is only the fifth product in Copenhagen's 187-year history.

Altria chairman and CEO Michael Szymanczyk said that he believes the new product could help Altria carve out another 8% of the growing market for smokeless tobacco.