Retail sales of the U.S. food marketing system were flat in 1990 and declined in 1991, after adjustments for price increases, due to the recession. Nevertheless, food manufacturers and retailers showed continued increases in profitability from operations (excluding interest expense), reflecting wage and producer price stability and streamlining of operations. Food manufacturing and retailing continue to be among the most highly leveraged U.S. industries because of large leveraged buyouts in the late 1980's. Mergers and leveraged buyout transactions fell sharply in 1990 and 1991 from the phenomenal levels of recent years in both volume and value. Competition among larger and fewer firms for a share of the food dollar and limited shelf space was reflected in record new product introductions, consumer advertising expenditures, and retail promotions, including payments to retailers to stock new products. But even in some highly concentrated industries, price discounts appeared prevalent. The system's performance continued its spectacular strength of recent years as reflected in increased globalization, higher levels of new plant and equipment expenditures, and outstanding performance for common stock owners.