According to a study conducted by The NPD Group, mobile phone sales in the U.S. reached 39 million units in the first quarter of 2007. Sales figures for the industry have increased by 12% from those of the same period in 2006. Additionally, the top five handset manufacturers have changed since the first quarter of 2006, although Motorola continued to be the market leader with 35% of the market's share. The NPD Group estimated that 2007 first-quarter gross consumer sales totaled close to $3 billion. The study was based on mobile-device sales data compiled and analyzed by The NPD Group, and the results represent the entire U.S. consumer population.
Wine sales shoot up in 2006
Wine sales in the U.S. increased in 2006, which turned out to be the 13th successive year showing an increase in sales. Wine sales in 2006 went up 3% from the year before. The total retail value of the sales was $27.8 million. California wine, which accounted for two-thirds of the wine sold in the U.S., registered 2% more sales (449 million gallons), and their retail value increased by close to 8%, to $17.8 billion. Sales of "premium" California table wines priced at $7 or more increased 10% by volume in 2006. The total number of California winery shipments grew by 2% to 541 million gallons, including exports.
Zap2it appoints new national sales manager
Zap2it, a leading web entertainment network, has appointed Nancy Page as its national sales manager. Page, who will be based in Santa Monica, CA, will oversee the network's West Coast territory and manage advertising sales efforts for the company website, www.zap2it.com. She will also take care of the 300 other affiliate websites which feature Zap2it's TV listings, movie schedules, and entertainment coverage. Prior to joining Zap2it, Page was associated with The Hollywood Reporter and TelevisionWeek magazine. Zap2it is a one-stop online entertainment solution reaching more than 3 million TV and movie fans every month.
General Motors Corporation's sales jump 8.5%
General Motors Corporation's retail sales increased 8.5% in the month of May with a gain of more than 11,000 units in the company's Chevrolet division and increased Saturn sales. The automaker sold 279,731 cars and trucks in May. Saturn sales, which jumped by 69%, accounted for the largest portion of the gains. The GMC Acadia and Pontiac G6 divisions also registered strong gains, and Chevrolet sales increased 5%. Detroit-based General Motors Corporation was the world's largest automaker in 2006 and has been the sales leader globally for 76 years. The company employs close to 280,000 people around the world.
Smart & Final, Inc., finalizes sale to Apollo Management, LP
Smart & Final, Inc., has announced the completion of its merger with an Apollo Management, LP, affiliate. The transaction value of the acquisition was approximately $812.9 million. Apollo Management, a private investment-partnership institution, manages investment capital on behalf of a group of institutional investors. Per the agreement, Smart & Final shareholders will receive $22 in cash, without interest, for every share of the company's common stock they possess. Smart & Final, Inc., was established in 1871 in Los Angeles and operates 255 warehouse stores catering to consumers in various states.
