TREND WATCH

A roundup of business developments spotted by other publications. Lockheed’s Jet-Makeover Plum: Lockheed Corp. is helping Japan Airlines upgrade and refit its older jets. Burbank-based Lockheed will benefit in two ways: It will gain access to JAL’s aircraft maintenance technology, and the contract puts it in a good position to win future aircraft orders. In the meantime, the company may be riding the wings of a new trend of airlines giving aircraft state-of-the-art make-overs rather than purchasing new planes in a time of economic uncertainty. Japan Economic Journal

Out of Kitchen, Into Supermarket: While it’s old news that supermarkets are luring customers from restaurants, what’s new is that they are now recruiting restaurant managers, cooks and chefs. The workers are saying au revoir to their eateries and bonjour to Vons, Publix and other chains as they opt for higher wages, better benefits and shorter hours. The move to beef up supermarkets’ food service departments is essential, as the departments account for about 10% of sales--more than $3 billion last year. Restaurant News

Bright Spot at Sears: Overall, Sears, Roebuck & Co. may still be in a retailing slump, but two of its new formats are booming. The Women’s Store and Men’s Store have been pleasant surprises. A senior executive vice president said that, in addition to the new format, Sears has been selling more apparel because of changes at the competition. When Dayton Hudson bought Marshall Field, Sears was able to grab about 20 of Field’s buyers, who are “showing Sears some interesting things.” Second, as J. C. Penney tries to move its image upscale, consumers of moderate-priced goods seem to be moving to Sears. St. Paul Pioneer Press