In advance of the July 4th holiday, Mauldin, S.C.-based BI-LO is promoting its collection of Party Packs, many of which include the chain's Southern Home brand products, with an online coupon for $5 off.

Now through July 25, the Schnucks Prize Patrol will visit the homes of a handful of lucky customers who entered its Schnucks Brand Adventure Contest. According to its Web site, the St. Louis-based chain will award winning customers $100 for every Schnucks brand product found in their homes, for a total of up to $5,000.

To celebrate the redesign of its Comforts brand program for babies and toddlers, The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, is sponsoring a contest to name the expanded collection's new firefly mascot. According to the company, the winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for his or her child. All Kroger banners are participating in the contest, which will end July 31.

Stillwater, Minn.-based Cub Foods — part of Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc. — announced that its new store in the Phalen area of St. Paul recently became the first supermarket in Minnesota -- and one of only three nationwide -- to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

In recognition of growing consumer interest in value brands, Topco announced that it is expanding its economy-brand offerings in the fresh meat, processed meat and deli categories. According to the Skokie, Ill.-based company's newsletter, TopNews, it now will offer lunchmeat, bacon, sausage and ground beef under its Clear Value and Valu Time brands.

From burgers and hot dogs to chips and potato salad, Batavia, Ill.-based ALDI Inc. is promoting a whole host of its own brand products for the July 4th holiday. According to the chain's Web site, consumers will "find everything they need to celebrate the Fourth of July affordably, right here at ALDI."

Kmart, Hoffman Estates, Ill., is offering customers a behind-the-scenes look at its team of designers through a series of unscripted documentaries on KmartDesign.com. According to the company, the Web site offers a "refreshingly honest, unexpected peek into the worlds of the outstanding talent at the Kmart Design Studios."

Following the lead of several other supermarkets determined to hold on to cash-strapped consumers, San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. Markets recently announced that it has reduced prices on more than 10,000 products storewide, including many Stater Saver items. The move is being promoted in weekly circulars, in TV and radio ads and in stores.