SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 13, 2001

Marketing Specialists Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	0-24667 (Commission file number)	04-3411833 (IRS employer identification no.)

17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200 Dallas, Texas 75287 (Address and zip code of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 349-6200
___________________________________________

Merkert American Corporation 490 Turnpike Street Canton, Massachusetts 02021 (Former name and address)

Washington, D.C. 20549

Item 5.	Other Events
On March 13, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release announcing that, effective the opening of business on March 14, 2001, its stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Registrant's stock will be eligible for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board instead. A copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
Item 7.	Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
	(c)	Exhibits
		The following Exhibits are filed herewith:
		99.1	Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 13, 2001 announcing that, effective the opening of business on March 14, 2001, its stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Registrant's stock will be eligible for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board instead.

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 2, 2001

Marketing Specialists Corporation

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 0-24667 (Commission file number) 04-3411833 (IRS employer identification no.)

17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200 Dallas, Texas 75287

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 349-6200

__________________________________________

Merkert American Corporation 490 Turnpike Street Canton, Massachusetts 02021 (Former name and address)

Item 5.	Other Events
On March 2, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release announcing that it is adding a new In-Source Specialists Division, which will serve as an arm of its existing Retail Division. Managed by Ken Gomez, a 15-year veteran of the Registrant's Retail Division, the new Division will provide manufacturers and retailers with the additional manpower to complete projects that exceed the time frame of standard category management. A copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
Item 7.	Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
	(c) Exhibits
	The following Exhibits are filed herewith:
		99.1	Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 2, 2001 announcing that it is adding a new In-Source Specialists Division, which will serve as an arm of its existing Retail Division. Managed by Ken Gomez, a 15-year veteran of the Registrant's Retail Division, the new Division will provide manufacturers and retailers with the additional manpower to complete projects that exceed the time frame of standard category management.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION By: TIMOTHY M. BYRD ~~____________________________________~~ Timothy M. Byrd Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 5 14, 2001

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description	~~Description~~
99.1*	Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 13, 2001 announcing that, effective the opening of business on March 14, 2001, its stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Registrant's stock will be eligible for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board instead.	Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 2, 2001 announcing that it is adding a new In-Source Specialists Division, which will serve as an arm of its existing Retail Division. Managed by Ken Gomez, a 15-year veteran of the Registrant's Retail Division, the new Division will provide manufacturers and retailers with the additional manpower to complete projects that exceed the time frame of standard category management.

* filed herewith

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