PULLING THE TABS; VENDORS MAKING STATEMENT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

From the nation's largest supermarket chains to a Studio City newsstand owner, vendors reacted to the public backlash against tabloids in the wake of Princess Diana's death by pulling the publications from their shelves Wednesday.

Hughes Markets, with 57 stores in Southern California, announced that it had removed all tabloids from its shelves and would make a decision on stocking new issues after a review of their content when they arrive Friday.

``We have reviewed the situation in regards to Princess Diana and, out of respect, we have made the decision to pull all tabloids from our shelves,'' Hughes officials said in a prepared statement.

``Our policy is to review each situation on a one-on-one basis,'' the statement said. ``Those we feel are offensive, distasteful and or obscene to our customers are removed for sale.''

Editors of The National Enquirer and the Globe already have said they will not publish photos of the crash, but the current issue of the Lantana, Fla.-based National Enquirer has been yanked because of its ``Di goes sex mad'' cover story.

``Some isolated stores are pulling that issue, saying it's inappropriate,'' editor Steve Coz told The Associated Press of the current National Enquirer, which includes widely publicized photographs of her vacations with millionaire Dodi Fayed.

``That was a slice of Di's life that's been widely reported . . . showing her happiness,'' Coz said. ``It's an unfortunate circumstance.''

The Globe, based in Boca Raton, Fla., offered a rare apology Tuesday for its ``To Di For'' headline, which ran in bold yellow letters on Page 2 of the Sept. 9 issue.

``We're apologizing for the headline, but it was written before her death,'' said editorial director Dan Schwartz. ``It's already distributed and there's nothing we can do about it.''

Safeway Inc., which has 1,368 stores including the Vons and Pavilions markets, announced it also would be reviewing advance copies of tabloids this week before deciding whether to stock new issues.

``If it is so gruesome and so obscene, we may choose not to sell it,'' said Debra Lambert, corporate director of public affairs for Safeway Inc. in Fremont.

Lambert said some individual stores already have pulled copies of some tabloids this week.

Brian Dowling of the Vons division of Safeway said the 315 stores it operates already have removed offensive tabloids.

``Beginning this afternoon (Wednesday), we started removing any tabloids with a mention of Princess Diana,'' Dowling said. ``We will be looking at the new issues coming in and make a decision when we see them.''

Their actions follow the announcements Tuesday by Kroger Co., the nation's largest grocery chain, and Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., the fourth largest, to remove from their shelves any tabloid papers that publish obscene or grotesque photos.

Ralphs Grocery Co. said in a statement it also plans to review the content of the tabloids and ``take action consistent with the concerns of its customers.''

Paul Levine, owner of Laurel Canyon News in Studio City, withdrew copies of the Globe this week because of a story on the princess he considered in bad taste.

``It's time to draw a line,'' Levine said. ``I'm tired of how these publications trash celebrities. It will cost me. I will lose some money. But that's not the point.''

Levine, who said his action was applauded by his customers, will monitor tabs, including The National Enquirer, Globe and Star, over the coming weeks and will pull those he considers in poor taste.

Coz issued a statement, saying he would not purchase or publish any photos taken by paparazzi of Princess Diana or others involved in the crash.

``The National Enquirer has asked the rest of the world press to show similar restraint,'' Coz said. ``Let's let all the facts of this tragedy - which are slowly coming to light - speak for themselves.''

Losing sales outlets could have a devastating impact on the tabloids, said Bryce Nelson, a University of Southern California journalism professor.

``They sell most of their issues on supermarket stands. That's why they pay a premium for these expensive racks,'' Nelson said.

While it is not new for merchants to refuse to sell magazines for a variety of reasons, Nelson said the death of Princess Diana has touched a chord with people.

``This is scummy stuff. A lot of people empathize with the idea they don't want to see anyone's privacy invaded,'' Nelson said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO (color) The tabloid racks stand empty Wednesday at Hughes in Canoga Park. Hughes and other markets are reviewing their content.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News