The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Sobeys's parent company Empire says that, while supplier requests are still trending above prepandemic levels, both the number of requests and the magnitude of cost increases being discussed have abated since the beginning of May. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that Empire chief executive officer Michael Medline said Thursday, "While food inflation remains high, we are pleased to see that it is beginning to moderate." Mr. Medline predicted the moderation will continue in the coming months -- supported by easing of commodity prices for ingredients such as wheat and various cooking oils. He said: "These are still tough times. It's not over. And hopefully we'll be through it soon." Empire on Thursday boosted its quarterly dividend by 10.6 per cent to 18.25 cents per share, as it reported increased profits and the completion of a six-year turnaround plan that has reshaped the business and added hundreds of millions of dollars to its bottom line. Empire reported net earnings growth that beat estimates, amounting to $182.9-million or 72 cents per share in the fourth quarter ended May 6, up from $178.5-million or 68 cents in the same year-ago period.